The College of Physical Education at Hunan Normal University, in collaboration with the Changsha Special Education School, has achieved a major milestone in the field of adapted physical activity for adolescents with intellectual disabilities (ID). Their recent study, “An Adapted Physical Activity Program for Adolescents with an Intellectual Disability: An International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health Perspective,” was published in Life, a Q2-ranked journal in the JCR index.

Utilizing the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) framework, the study implemented a six-month intervention targeting fundamental motor skills (FMS), physical fitness (PF), and quality of life (QOL) in adolescents aged 15–17. The randomized controlled trial included 38 participants, with the intervention group engaging in personalized 45-minute sessions three times weekly.

The program addressed all four ICF domains—body structure, body function, activity and participation, and environmental factors—while integrating sensory adaptations, environment optimization, and parental support.

Findings revealed that the intervention group showed significantly greater improvements in motor development (TGMD), locomotor skills, object control, and QOL (p < 0.001). Furthermore, FMS was positively correlated with both PF and QOL (r = 0.34–0.71), affirming the holistic benefits of structured physical activity.

This pioneering study provides strong theoretical and practical support for inclusive education and rehabilitative practices based on the ICF model. The research team includes Xin Shen and Peiying Huang, with Yin Guo and Lan Zheng as corresponding authors. It was supported by the Hunan Provincial Department of Education and the College Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Training Program.

Read the full paper: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39459614/