Perceived Physical Fitness Improvements Through Adapted Sports Programming for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities: A Multi-Stakeholder Qualitative Analysis

Nina Jermaina; Inna Kholidasari; Ruhul Fitri Rosel; Baiq Satrianingsih

doi:10.33394/gjpok.v12i2.23160

Authors

Nina Jermaina Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia
Inna Kholidasari Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia
Ruhul Fitri Rosel Universitas Negeri Padang, Indonesia
Baiq Satrianingsih Universitas Pendidikan Mandalika, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33394/gjpok.v12i2.23160

Keywords:

adapted physical activity, intellectual disabilities, perceived physical fitness, special education, qualitative research

Abstract

Background: Physical inactivity among individuals with intellectual disabilities contributes to heightened risks of secondary health complications. Adapted sports programming holds promise for improving physical fitness, yet qualitative evidence on perceived fitness outcomes and the adaptation mechanisms that facilitate them remains scarce, particularly in Global South contexts. This study examines perceived physical fitness improvements and the programmatic adaptations that underpin them in a community-based inclusive sports program in Indonesia. Methods: A qualitative descriptive-phenomenological design was employed with fourteen participants (seven teachers, seven parents) at a government-run special education school. Semi-structured interviews, guided by protocols targeting physical fitness constructs, were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Three subthemes emerged: (1) observable physical improvements including enhanced stamina, strength, motor coordination, and disease resistance, reported by all teachers and six of seven parents; (2) individualized program adaptation through a three-tier framework of equipment modification, rule simplification, and disability-specific sport selection; and (3) informal assessment practices relying on teacher observation, competition benchmarking, and parent-reported functional changes. A deviant case highlighted engagement continuity as a precondition for observable fitness gains. Conclusion: Adapted sports programming produces meaningful perceived physical fitness improvements when programs implement systematic multi-level adaptations. The three-tier adaptation framework provides a practical model for non-specialist educators in resource-constrained settings. The study highlights the need for integrating feasible standardized assessment tools to complement qualitative evidence.

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