CHALLENGES IN ADAPTING GYMNASTICS FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH PHYSICAL-MOTOR DISABILITIES

Participation in gymnastics activities by individuals with disabilities provides benefits in physical, motor, and psychological aspects. This study aims to identify the knowledge that gymnastics coaches possess to manage people with physical disabilities (PD). Six rhythmic and artistic gymnastics coaches completed an online questionnaire concerning disability conditions, adaptations, and teaching methodologies. The majority of participants (n = 5; 83%) rated themselves as poorly prepared to work with people with PD. Additionally, the main challenges identified by the coaches relate to specific knowledge about disabilities, individualisation, and adaptation of teaching methods. The adaptations and strategies suggested by the group of participants with experience coaching gymnasts with PD (n = 2; 33.3%) were superficial, but still more applicable than those suggested by the majority of participants without such experience (n = 3; 50%). The findings of this research indicate that gymnastics coaches have insufficient knowledge to work with people with PD, particularly regarding specific disability knowledge and the development of adaptations.