https://askiadopoulos.xyz/research-lines/special-physical-education/Adapted Physical EducationHugo Blox Builder (https://hugoblox.com)en-UShttps://askiadopoulos.xyz/media/icon_hu_4d7d6131f73d1980.pnghttps://askiadopoulos.xyz/research-lines/special-physical-education/https://askiadopoulos.xyz/project/motor-development/Wed, 23 Sep 2026 02:00:00 +0000https://askiadopoulos.xyz/project/motor-development/<p>Research on the assessment of motor competence in school-age children and on school-based adapted physical education, designed within the framework of the WHO International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).</p> <h2 id="motor-competence-in-primary-school-children">Motor competence in primary school children</h2> <p>Motor competence is treated as a latent construct shaped by individual and contextual factors. In a cross-sectional study of 312 Greek primary school children aged 6–12 years, motor competence was assessed with the Movement Assessment Battery for Children–Second Edition (MABC-2) and analyzed with multilevel models. Findings were skill-specific: balance showed the highest standard scores, manual dexterity the lowest, boys outperformed girls in aiming and catching with a modest effect, and age effects differed by domain. The results support domain-specific, contextually informed screening and the planning of individualized and group programs.</p> <p><em>Skiadopoulos et al. (2026), Children, 13(4), 567.</em></p> <h2 id="inclusion-in-physical-education">Inclusion in physical education</h2> <p>A cluster non-randomized pretest–posttest study of 557 students from ten schools evaluated an inclusive program in which students with developmental disabilities from special education schools took part in four weekly adapted PE sessions alongside peers without disabilities. Attitudes toward inclusion increased more in the inclusive environment than in the control environment, with improvements across all theory-of-planned-behavior constructs; behavioral intention was mediated through injunctive norms and perceived behavioral control.</p> <p><em>Alexandrou et al. (2026), SportRxiv preprint.</em></p> <h2 id="support-staff-in-adapted-physical-activity">Support staff in adapted physical activity</h2> <p>A cross-sectional survey of 63 disability support staff in three summer sports and leisure camps examined burnout and meaningful work across inclusive and segregated camp formats. Camp type was the most consistent predictor of staff wellbeing.</p> <p><em>Skiadopoulos et al. (2026), SportRxiv preprint.</em></p> <p>A single-arm pilot of a 3-week inclusive program (168 students) assessed feasibility, completion and early pre–post change in attitudes toward peers with disabilities.</p> <p><em>Alexandrou et al. (2026), SportRxiv preprint, doi:10.51224/SportRxiv.1111.</em></p>