Adapted Judo in the development of socioemotional skills in young people with moderate intellectual disabilities
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Abstract
This study analyzed the impact of an adapted judo program on the development of socioemotional skills in young individuals with moderate intellectual disabilities. A mixed-methods sequential design was employed, combining an initial quantitative phase using the D-ECREA instrument to assess emotional competencies, followed by a qualitative phase involving expert interviews to validate the pedagogical intervention. The sample consisted of 17 students, including one diagnosed with moderate intellectual disability. Quantitative results revealed that students without special educational needs scored highly in emotional self-awareness (M=2.69; SD=0.33), emotional regulation (M=2.72; SD=0.41), and creativity (M=2.67; SD=0.44), while the student with a disability obtained intermediate scores of 1.67, 2.00, and 2.00, respectively. The qualitative analysis supported the relevance and feasibility of the intervention, highlighting improvements in self-regulation, self-esteem, and social interaction for the student with a disability. Methodological triangulation enabled refinement of the pedagogical design, incorporating specific dynamics to foster inclusion, empathy, and cooperative learning. The findings suggest that adapted judo, when implemented in a structured and supportive educational environment, serves as an effective tool to enhance socioemotional competencies in inclusive school settings, achieving not only measurable improvements but also meaningful transformations in the educational experiences of students with disabilities.
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