Can Special Olympics coaches accurately report on the motor competence of children with intellectual disabilities?

Abstract

BackgroundMotor competence is the ability to perform goal directed human movements in a co‐ordinated, accurate and error free manner. The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of coaches' perceptions of children's motor competence with their actual motor competence.MethodThis study examined the motor competence of children with intellectual disabilities (n = 100) and coaches' perceptions of children's motor competence (n = 10). Participants were assessed using TGMD‐3. Coaches completed an adapted version of the pictorial scale of Perceived Movement Skill Competence.ResultsThe predictive power of coaches perceived motor competence versus children's actual motor competence was assessed.ConclusionsThis research will provide insight for sports organisations to determine whether coaches can accurately report on the motor competence of children with intellectual disabilities.