The Cognitive Effect of a Unified Flag Football Program in Young Adults With Intellectual Disabilities: The Exploratory Study

Authors

  • Chih-Chia Chen Mississippi State University
  • Yonjoong Ryuh Sonoma State University
  • Kathryn Mackey University of Missouri

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18666/TPE-2022-V79-I6-11024

Keywords:

Sport, Special Olympics, Executive Function, Intellectual Disability

Abstract

 

 This study investigated the cognitive effect of a unified flag football program in young adults with intellectual disabilities (ID). Twelve participants practiced football drills with their typical peers for 50 min each session, twice a week for 15 weeks. Measures of three aspects of executive functions (e.g., verbal working memory, measured as digit span task; cognitive planning proficiency, measured as Tower of London task; and response inhibition, measured as Stroop color and word task) were tested before and after the program. Although the benefits in the digit span and Stroop tasks were not seen, participants with ID significantly improved performance in the Tower of London task. The cognitive benefits in executive function from this unified sport program were still evident. Our preliminary findings encourage individuals with ID to attend sport programs for mental health. In future studies, large sample size and additional supporting measures should be included to generalize the findings to the general population with ID. 

Author Biographies

Chih-Chia Chen, Mississippi State University

Associate Professor, Department of Kinesiology

https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6963-3795

Yonjoong Ryuh, Sonoma State University

Assistant Professor, Department of Kinesiology

Kathryn Mackey, University of Missouri

Doctoral Student, Department of Occupational Therapy

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Published

2022-11-13

Issue

Vol. 79 No. 6 (2022)

Section

Articles

License

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