Sports and intellectual disability: a clash of cultures?
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/AMHID-08-2016-0019 |
| Pages | 293-298 |
| Date | 05 September 2016 |
| Published date | 05 September 2016 |
| Author | Roy McConkey |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Learning & intellectual disabilities |
Sports and intellectual disability: a clash
of cultures?
Roy McConkey
Roy McConkey is an Emeritus
Professor of Developmental
Disabilities at the University
of Ulster, Newtownabbey,
Northern Ireland.
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to argue that sports, play and games have contributed immensely to
human evolution and development.
Design/methodology/approach –This paper is a commentary.
Findings –Often dismissed as past-times or amusements, a wealth of research has now evidenced the
benefits of sports to children, youth, adults and senior citizens. Physical health, emotional well-being,
friendships, learning/cognition and self-esteem are all positively impacted through participation in sports.
Yet these benefits are rarely exploited for people with intellectual disabilities. A fundamental reason is that the
culture of health and social services is the antithesis of that inherent in sports. Reconciliation is clearly
desirable but it requires innovative and creative actions from both sectors.
Originality/value –Examples are given based on emerging experience and evidence but their
implementation remains a daunting challenge with as yet few “fans”in support of harnessing the power of
sport to improve the quality of life of people with intellectual disability.
Keywords Health, Sports, Social inclusion, Intellectual disability, Emotional well-being, Special Olympics
Paper type Viewpoint
The value of sport
In this Olympic year of 2016, it is particularly pertinent to ask why sport plays so little part in the
health and social services provided to people with intellectual disability. Instead therapy, teaching
and training programmes consume millions of pounds annually and billions of professional
support hours in the UK alone. At best sport is seen as an optional leisure pursuit that is rarely
promoted either by funding or through the advice and practice of professional staff. It is left to
families and voluntary agencies to create and maintain sporting opportunities for children and
adults as best they can. Even when they are available, sports are often disconnected from the
specialist disability services that feature prominently in their lives.
Of course, it canbe argued that this is no differentfrom the non-disabled population. They too are
left tomake their own arrangementsif they wish to participatein sports. According to latestsurveys,
it seems nearly half the British population opt to do so at least monthly www.sportengland.org/
research/who-plays-sport/national-picture/). Amongst them, no doubt, are health and social care
professionals whose clientshave intellectual disabilities. It is all themore curious then as to why the
value they place on sport in their own lives does not extend to their clients?
Certainly there is robust research evidence of the benefits that accrue from participation in sports
and physical exercise. These are well summarised in publications from Sports England
and include:
■improved physical health and decreased risk of contracting major chronic diseases such as
heart problems, strokes and cancers;
Received 30 August 2016
Revised 30 August 2016
Accepted 7 October 2016
This paper is adapted from an
invited keynote address presented
at the 15th World Congress of
IASSIDD, Melbourne, August,
2016.
DOI 10.1108/AMHID-08-2016-0019 VOL. 10 NO. 5 2016, pp.293-298, © Emerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 2044-1282
j
ADVANCESIN MENTAL HEALTH AND INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
j
PAGE293
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