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- Motor Competence and Sports Practice in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Pilot Study in GymnasticsPublication . Quito, Geraldine; Jacinto, Miguel; Amaro, Nuno; Monteiro, Diogo; Antunes, Raul; Matos, Rui; Oliveira Diz, Susana Cristina; Leitão Mira, Tânia SoraiaThe practice of physical activity, exercise, and sports brings various benefits to the general population. However, a few intervention programs involving physical activity and sports have been specifically designed for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of implementing a sports program based on gymnastics (specifically trampolines) on the motor skills of children with ASD. The program ran from September to May 2024 (8 months duration) using the Motor Competence Assessment Battery (MCA) as an evaluation tool. It included three typically developing children and three children with ASD, all aged between 4 and 5 years. The program sessions lasted 45 min and took place twice a week. The MCA Battery was administered to assess motor skills before and after the intervention. After the intervention program, significant differences were found only between moments in the Shuttle Run test (pre-intervention ≠ and post-intervention; Bonferroni correction: t = −2.00; p = 0.043; w = 0.33). Based on these results, we can conclude that practicing a sports program based on gymnastics (namely trampolines) can contribute to improving the motor skills of children with ASD.
- Research note of the social support, resilience and subjective well-being in Portuguese athletes with disabilitiesPublication . Leitão Mira, Tânia Soraia; Costa, Aldo Filipe Matos Moreira Carvalho; Susano Jacinto, Miguel Ângelo; Monteiro, Diogo; Matos, Rui; Oliveira Diz, Susana Cristina; Antunes, RaulThis review aims to summarise the studies’ insightful exploration of the relationship between adapted sport, social support, resilience, and well-being among Portuguese athletes with disabilities. The research emphasises the crucial role of social support in access to sport, but interestingly, it may not always be directly correlated with resilience or subjective well-being. Athletes with disabilities show high resilience and positive affect while scoring lower regarding negative affect. Technical support is vital for federated athletes with disabilities, and friendships are universally significant. Resilience emerges as a central factor, with strong associations with subjective well-being, indicating its importance in the sporting context. In addition, resilience appears to buffer negative emotions, emphasising its crucial role. In conclusion, these results challenge existing assumptions and emphasise the multifaceted nature of the relationship between social support, resilience and well-being among athletes with disabilities. This knowledge has practical implications for stakeholders, including parents, coaches, therapists, psychologists, and society. They underline the importance of fostering inclusive sports programmes and promoting awareness and partnerships to improve the well-being, resilience and social support of individuals with disabilities, ultimately contributing to their personal development, quality of life and social integration. Policymakers and organisations should consider these conclusions when formulating education and sports policies.