Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40566320›Full record

ArticleInternational journal of environmental research and public health2025

"We Just Improvise": Exploring Teachers' Perspectives on Sport Participation for Learners with Intellectual Disabilities in Rural South Africa.

Avhasei Dorothy Meregi, Phumudzo Khangwelo Mulibana, Gudani Goodman Mukoma

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in International journal of environmental research and public health, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Avhasei Dorothy MeregiDepartment of Biokinetics, Recreation and Sport Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa.ORCID 0000-0002-6359-0840
Phumudzo Khangwelo MulibanaDepartment of Biokinetics, Recreation and Sport Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa.ORCID 0000-0001-6104-1760
Gudani Goodman MukomaDepartment of Biokinetics, Recreation and Sport Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa.ORCID 0000-0002-3305-9274

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundParticipation in sports offers children with intellectual disabilities (IDs) crucial opportunities for development. However, they often face barriers to inclusion in school-based sports, especially in under-resourced areas. This study aimed to (1) assess the level of participation in school sports among learners with IDs, and (2) explore teachers' perceptions of the benefits and barriers to such participation in special schools within the Vhembe District of South Africa.

methodsA qualitative, descriptive research design was employed. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 teachers from four special schools. Thematic analysis helped identify key themes and interpret responses.

resultsAll schools offered weekly sports activities, as required by the Department of Education. Teachers viewed sports as vital for social interaction, physical fitness, and psychological well-being. However, barriers such as insufficient adapted equipment, inadequate facilities, and limited family support hindered meaningful participation, particularly for learners with profound disabilities.

conclusionsSchool sports have the potential to transform the lives of learners with IDs, but systemic barriers restrict access. Increased investment in inclusive infrastructure, adaptive equipment, teacher training, and community awareness is essential to align policy with practice in special education.

Indexed as

Intellectual DisabilitySchool TeachersSportsAdolescentAdultChildFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedQualitative ResearchRural PopulationSchoolsSouth Africainclusionintellectual disabilityphysical activityqualitative researchschool sportSouth Africaspecial educationVhembe District

Identifiers

PMID40566320
PMCPMC12193185

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.