The Effect of Adapted Physical Activity and Inclusive Sport on the Motivation and Psychological Health of Children with Disabilities: A Randomized Control Trial

Background. Adapted activities have relied on pedagogical, organizational and material adaptations to ensure equitable and beneficial participation for all students. Objectives. This study aimed to examine the influence of adapted physical education and involvement in school para-athletics on the motivation to engage in sports practice and the psychological well-being of students with motor disabilities. Materials and methods. The present study involved 96 students with motor disabilities (mean age: 16.79 ± 0.87 years) enrolled in Moroccan public schools. Participants were categorised into three groups based on para-athletics classification: 30% in class 30, 40% in classes 40, and 30% in class 50. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a control group with no structured intervention, a group following an adapted physical education (APE) programme (24 sessions), and a third group combining the APE programme with additional para-athletics training, including competitions, over a three-month period (24 sessions).The study utilised the SMS-28 scale to measure motivation and Carol Ryff’s scale to assess the level of psychological well-being, with evaluations conducted pre- and post-intervention. Results. The findings indicated that the APE+Para-Athletics group showed notable enhancements in nearly all domains of motivation, including a 205% increase in intrinsic motivation to stimulation. Additionally, it was observed improvementsin psychological well-being, particularly in autonomy and positive relationships with others. In comparison, the control group demonstrated minimal change, while the APE group also recorded improvements, albeit to a lesser extent than the group combining the two programs. Conclusions. This study confirms that the combination of APE and inclusive sport, including para-athletics, is an effective strategy for optimizing the motivation and psychological well-being of students with motor disabilities.