Coaches´ and referees´ opinion about the influence of intellectual impairment on fundamental basketball activities

Abstract

One of the major problems that basketball for players with intellectual impairment (II) is facing nowadays is the lack of evidence-based eligibility systems which ensures that only athletes with significant limitations performing basketball participate in II-competitions. Moreover, to solve this situation is needed to re-include this sport in the Paralympic Program. A first step to develop these systems is to investigate how II influences basketball performance. Due to this, the purpose of this study was to analyze experienced II-basketball coaches´ and referees´ opinion about how II impact on fundamental basketball activities. 40 coaches and 6 referees from different levels of II-competition completed a questionnaire designed “ad hoc” to assess their opinion about the influence of II on fundamental basketball activities. Participants expressed that II-players present limitations to carry out the 92.68% of the activities from the questionnaire. Mean values of offensive individual tactics were significantly higher than technical skills and defensive individual tactics. These results indicated that II-players present limitations performing basketball and they are relevant to orientate future research to develop evidence-based eligibility systems in this sport.