The role of the social environment in pacing, sports participation, and performance of individuals with intellectual impairments

Sakalidis, Kandianos Emmanouil (2022) The role of the social environment in pacing, sports participation, and performance of individuals with intellectual impairments. Doctoral thesis, Northumbria University.

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Abstract

Pacing, the process in which people need to decide how and when to distribute their energy resources throughout an exercise activity, is impaired in people with Intellectual Impairments (II). This may partially explain their low levels of sports participation and the shortfalls in their performance. The social environment may be pivotal in supporting the pacing of people with II in sports. However, the role of the social environment in sports of people with II is still unknown. Thus, the overarching purpose of this thesis is to explore the role of the social environment in pacing, sports participation, and performance of individuals with II. We developed a theoretical framework that focusses on how the social environment can support the process of pacing and explored the social environment’s role in the sports environment of people with II. Then, this knowledge was used to investigate how the social environment can support the pacing behaviour of people with II in sub-maximal and maximal trials. The findings revealed that the social environment can support the self-regulatory skills which are critical in pacing but impaired in people with II. Moreover, coaches require more guidance to effectively coach people with II. The experimental studies showed the influence of the II in pacing and suggested directions to support people with II in sub-maximal and maximal sports activities. A pacer (e.g., peer) can positively influence the self-regulatory process of exercise regulation and offer an intuitive, visual guidance to people with II during a sub-maximal trial. The presence of an opponent during a maximal trial however, could create a cognitive demanding and anxious situation that negatively influences the pacing and sports performance of people with II. Awareness of these findings could help promote an inclusive, long-term sports participation and help people with II to develop their sport-related skills.

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