The impact of adapted soccer program on psychosocial behavior in adolescents with Down syndrome

Abstract

Introduction. Numerous studies have proven the significant positive impact of regular physical activity on the condition of people with intellectual disability. In practice, various adapted sports activities are increasingly used for children and adolescents with disabilities. Objectives. The current feasibility study determined the effect of soccer program on some psychosocial characteristics in adolescents with Down syndrome. Methods. 20 adolescents were recruited and randomized into two groups (the experimental group vs. the control group). Adolescents placed in the experimental group followed an adapted soccer program twice a week for 16 weeks. Adolescents placed in the control group continued with their usual daily routine during the experimental period. The level of aggression, attention problems, the level of anxiety and depression, and social problems were assessed. Results. The experimental group had significant improvements in all psychosocial variables. At the same time, no significant changes were registered in the control group. Conclusion. The results suggest that the soccer program can decrease the level of aggression, anxiety and depression, increase attention and improve social behavior in adolescents with DS.

The effect of the adapted soccer programme on motor learning and psychosocial behaviour in adolescents with Down syndrome

“…Our main findings were that adolescents with DS, who were part of the exercise group, decreased their levels in all psychosocial variables and increase level in only one of three motoric variables following the 16-week soccer programme. These findings reinforced the idea that adapted sports programmes could improve some indicators of psychomotor and social behaviour in this target population and confirmed the results of previous studies, especially those related to soccer (Özer et al 2012;Baran et al 2013;Camacho et al 2021;Perić and Milićević-Marinković 2021).…”

“…In addition to physical activity in general, some studies have reported positive effects of specific programmes: adapted basketball (Kocić et al 2017), swimming and water activities (Yilmaz et al 2009;Suarez-Villadat et al 2020), table tennis (Chen et al 2015), karate (Perić et al 2018) and finally adapted soccer (Özer et al 2012;Baran et al 2013;Camacho et al 2021;Perić and Milićević-Marinković 2021). The aim of the current study is to determine the effects of adapted soccer programme on the motor learning and different psychosocial characteristics in adolescents with DS.…”

“…2013; Camacho et al . 2021; Perić and Milićević‐Marinković 2021). The aim of the current study is to determine the effects of adapted soccer programme on the motor learning and different psychosocial characteristics in adolescents with DS.…”

“…In fact, only one article is available in which the influence of soccer programme in adolescents with DS were analysed. It is the previous feasibility study of authors Perić and Milićević‐Marinković (2021) conducted on the sample of 20 subjects divided into experimental and control group. The changes of psychosocial variables were monitored.…”