Increasing numbers of children and adolescents internationally are being
diagnosed with secondary health problems (e.g., overweight-obesity,
diabetes, asthma, anxiety, etc.) due in part, or at least related to, a
lack of physical activity. Children and adolescents with various forms
of special needs (for example, children and adolescents with physical or
intellectual disabilities, children and adolescents from disadvantaged
social backgrounds and children and adolescents with chronic illnesses)
seem to be particularly at risk for secondary health problems, which in
the end limit their social participation and inclusion, as well as their
ability to achieve their full potential and to lead happy and fulfilling
lives. For these children and adolescents, involvement in regular
physical activities (including fitness activities and sports) may have
far reaching benefits. For instance, organized physical activities are
known to represent an effective vehicle for interventions for children
and adolescents with special needs who do not seem to benefit as much as
others from more traditional, verbal-oriented approaches. Organized
physical activities (in or out of school) further provide these children
and adolescents with opportunities to interact in a positive manner with
prosocial peers and adults who may serve as positive role models for
them. There is currently a paucity of research about physical activities
that effectively include children and adolescents with a range of
special needs or research that identifies evidence-based strategies that
seed success in maximizing the involvement in, and the positive
biopsychosocial outcomes associated with, the practice of physical
activity. This dearth of research is impeding progress in addressing the
biopsychosocial disadvantage that these children and adolescents
encounter, the development of new solutions for enabling full potential,
and ensuring that children and adolescents with special needs not only
succeed, but also flourish in life.
This volume includes examples of theory, research, policy, and practice
that will advance our understanding of how best to encourage these
children and adolescents to participate regularly in physical activity,
how to maximize the biopsychosocial benefits of involvement in physical
activities, and how to ensure that these physical activities are
inclusive for children and adolescents with special needs. The focus
will be placed on research-derived physical activity practices that seed
success for children and adolescents with special needs, and new
directions in theory, research, and practice that have implications for
enhancing physical activity practices with at-risk children and
adolescents.
The themes covered in this volume include:
Strategies to maximise participation of children and adolescents with
special needs in physical activity as a global priority;
Strategies to maximise the social inclusion of children and
adolescents with special needs in general physical activities;
Effective physical education strategies to enhance biopsychosocial
outcomes for children and adolescents with special needs;
Advancing the practice of educators and coaches to cultivate the
social inclusion and participation in physical activity of children and
adolescents with special needs; and
Challenging the meaning and implementation of inclusive practices in
physical education globally.
