The impact of intellectual disabilities on elite sports performance
Journal article
Burns, J. 2015. The impact of intellectual disabilities on elite sports performance. International Review of Sport and Excercise Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1080/1750984X.2015.1068830
| Authors | Burns, J. |
|---|---|
| Abstract | Athletes with intellectual disabilities (ID) were re-introduced into the Paralympics in London 2012. As part of this development a classification system had to be established evidencing the impact this impairment has on elite sports performance. This review examines the research behind this issue. Firstly it examines the limited literature comparing the standards reached by top-level athletes with ID with those without disabilities, and then moves on to look at the research demonstrating differences in both the cognitive and physical skills needed for elite performance. The article then reviews the factors that may be implicated to account for this disparity, from a range of perspectives. A case is made for the importance of looking at this area in terms of the potential for the transferability of research findings from this group to talent identification in mainstream athletes and the benefits of integrating neuropsychological concepts and approaches to understanding the cognitive components behind the development of particular skills associated with high-level performance in specific sports. |
| Keywords | Intellectual disabilities; Paralympics; elite performance; cognitive functioning |
| Year | 2015 |
| Journal | International Review of Sport and Excercise Psychology |
| Publisher | Taylor & Francis |
| ISSN | 1750-984X |
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1080/1750984X.2015.1068830 |
| Publication dates | |
| 01 Sep 2015 | |
| Publication process dates | |
| Deposited | 16 Sep 2015 |
| Accepted | 22 Jun 2015 |
| Output status | Published |
| File |
Permalink -
https://repository.canterbury.ac.uk/item/876xw/the-impact-of-intellectual-disabilities-on-elite-sports-performance
Download files
166
total views458
total downloads2
views this month1
downloads this month
Export as
Related outputs
Structure and organization of sport for people with intellectual disabilities across Europe
Marin-Urquiza, A., Burns, J., Morgulec-Adamowicz, N. and Van Biesen, D. 2024. Structure and organization of sport for people with intellectual disabilities across Europe. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly. 41 (1), pp. 126-152. https://doi.org/10.1123/apaq.2022-0212Sports classification and athletes with intellectual disabilities: Measuring health status using a questionnaire based on the international classification of functioning, disability and health
Tussis, Lorenna, Lemmey, S. and Burns, J. 2024. Sports classification and athletes with intellectual disabilities: Measuring health status using a questionnaire based on the international classification of functioning, disability and health. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly. 41 (1), pp. 51-66. https://doi.org/10.1123/apaq.2022-0204Developing para-hockey for athletes with intellectual disabilities: Barriers and facilitators
Van de Vorst, S., Burns, J., Fletcher, T. and Van Biesen, D. 2023. Developing para-hockey for athletes with intellectual disabilities: Barriers and facilitators. Managing Sport and Leisure. https://doi.org/10.1080/23750472.2023.2292225Engaging and sustaining people with intellectual disabilities in physical activity: a narrative review of existing evidence
Burns, J., Carter, A., Draper, S. and Foad, A. 2022. Engaging and sustaining people with intellectual disabilities in physical activity: a narrative review of existing evidence. International Journal of Developmental Disabilities. 70 (5), pp. 803-813. https://doi.org/10.1080/20473869.2022.2149096“It’s all about knowing the young person”: Best practice in coaching autistic athletes
Kimber, Alexandra, Burns, J. and Murphy, Mark 2021. “It’s all about knowing the young person”: Best practice in coaching autistic athletes. Sports Coaching Review. 12 (2), pp. 166-186. https://doi.org/10.1080/21640629.2021.1944527The impact of intellectual disability and sport expertise on cognitive and executive functions
Van Biesen, D., Van Damme, T, Pineda, R. and Burns, J 2022. The impact of intellectual disability and sport expertise on cognitive and executive functions. Journal of Intellectual Disabilities. 27 (1), pp. 104-120. https://doi.org/10.1177/17446295211036331The sentient, skilled and situated of sustaining a physical activity career: Pleasurable interpretations of corporeal ambiguity
Day, J., Burns, Jan and Weed, Mike 2021. The sentient, skilled and situated of sustaining a physical activity career: Pleasurable interpretations of corporeal ambiguity. International Review for the Sociology of Sport. https://doi.org/10.1177/10126902211053535Is there space on the podium for us all?
Burns, J. 2021. Is there space on the podium for us all? in: Olympic and Paralympic Analysis 2020: Mega Events, Media and the Politics of Sport: Early Reflections from Leading Academics The centre for Comparative Politics and Media Research, Bournemouth University The University of Texas at Austin. pp. 131-133Inclusion and exclusion of elite athletes with disabilities
Burns, J. 2021. Inclusion and exclusion of elite athletes with disabilities. in: Chatziefstathiou, D., Garcia, B. and Seguin, B. (ed.) Routledge Handbook of the Olympic and Paralympic Games Abingdon Routledge. pp. 34-44Conceptual model of sport-specific classification for para-athletes with intellectual impairment
Van Biesen, D., Burns, J., Mactavish, J., Van de Vliet, P. and Vanlandewijck, Y. 2021. Conceptual model of sport-specific classification for para-athletes with intellectual impairment. Journal of Sports Sciences. 39 (sup1), pp. 19-29. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2021.1881280The impact of cognitive functions and intellectual impairment on pacing and performance in sports
Burns, J., Sakalidis, K., Van Biesen, D., Dreegia, W. and Hettinga, F. 2021. The impact of cognitive functions and intellectual impairment on pacing and performance in sports. Psychology of Sport and Exercise. 52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychsport.2020.101840Developing additional competition classes for athletes with intellectual impairments: Conceptual approach and efficacy of an ICF derived measure
Lemmey, Suzie, Burns, Jan and Jones, F. 2021. Developing additional competition classes for athletes with intellectual impairments: Conceptual approach and efficacy of an ICF derived measure. Journal of Sports Sciences. 39 (sup1), pp. 99-108. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2021.1881302Young people, sexuality and the age of pornography
Massey, K., Burns, J. and Franz, A. 2020. Young people, sexuality and the age of pornography. Sexuality and Culture. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12119-020-09771-zThe participation of people with intellectual disability in Parasports
Burns, J. 2020. The participation of people with intellectual disability in Parasports. Journal of Paralympic Research Group. 13, pp. 41-59.Working with people with intellectual disabilities
Burns, J. 2019. Working with people with intellectual disabilities. in: Clinical Psychology Routledge.Women with intellectual and developmental impairments: differences not deficits
Burns, Jan 2019. Women with intellectual and developmental impairments: differences not deficits. in: Routledge International Handbook of Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health Abingdon-on-Thames Routledge, Taylor and Francis. pp. 580-594Sex and relationships education for young people and adults with intellectual disabilities and autism
Asagba, K., Burns, J. and Doswell, S. 2019. Sex and relationships education for young people and adults with intellectual disabilities and autism. Brighton Pavilion Publishing Ltd.Psychosocial impact of involvement in the special olympics
Crawford, C., Burns, J. and Fernie, B. 2015. Psychosocial impact of involvement in the special olympics. Research in Developmental Disabilities. 45-46, pp. 93-102. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2015.07.009Intellectual disability, special olympics and parasport
Burns, J. 2018. Intellectual disability, special olympics and parasport. in: Brittain, I. and Beacom, A. (ed.) The Palgrave Handbook of Paralympic Studies UK Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 417-437Behind the mask: the experience of assessment, diagnosis and living with autism for girls and young women.
Tierney, S. and Burns, J. 2017. Behind the mask: the experience of assessment, diagnosis and living with autism for girls and young women. in: Legato, M. (ed.) Principles of Gender-Specific Medicine Cambridge, Mass Elsevier. pp. 203-217The impact of exposure to media coverage of the 2012 paralympic games on mixed physical ability interactions
Carew, M., Burns, J. and Noor, M. 2018. The impact of exposure to media coverage of the 2012 paralympic games on mixed physical ability interactions. Journal of Community & Applied Social Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1002/casp.2387Classification and intellectual disabilities: an investigation of the factors that predict the performance of athletes with intellectual disability
Gilderthorp, R., Burns, J. and Jones, F. 2018. Classification and intellectual disabilities: an investigation of the factors that predict the performance of athletes with intellectual disability. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology. 12 (3), pp. 285-301. https://doi.org/10.1123/jcsp.2017-0018Project ability
Foad, A., Fullick, S., Secker, M., Burns, J. and Weed, M. 2017. Project ability. The Centre of Sport, Physical Education, and Activity Research (SPEAR), Canterbury Christ Church Universirty The Centre of Sport, Physical Education, and Activity Research (SPEAR).Using personal construct methodology to explore relationships with adolescents with autism spectrum disorder
Murphy, M., Burns, J. and Kilbey, E. 2017. Using personal construct methodology to explore relationships with adolescents with autism spectrum disorder. Research in Developmental Disabilities. 70, pp. 22-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2017.08.006Disorders of sex development: mothers’ experiences of support
Chivers, C., Burns, J. and Deiros, M. 2017. Disorders of sex development: mothers’ experiences of support. Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359104517719114An investigation of athletes’ and coaches’ perceptions of mental ill-health in elite athletes
Biggin, I., Burns, J. and Uphill, M. 2017. An investigation of athletes’ and coaches’ perceptions of mental ill-health in elite athletes. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology. 11 (2), pp. 126-147. https://doi.org/10.1123/jcsp.2016-0017The relationship of IQ to additional disabilities in athletes with Intellectual Disabilities (ID)
Burns, J., Gilderthorp, R. and Jones, F. 2016. The relationship of IQ to additional disabilities in athletes with Intellectual Disabilities (ID).Looking behind the mask: social coping strategies of girls on the autistic spectrum
Tierney, S., Burns, J. and Kilbey, E. 2016. Looking behind the mask: social coping strategies of girls on the autistic spectrum. Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders. 23, pp. 73-83. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rasd.2015.11.013Public attitudes toward people with intellectual disabilities after viewing Olympic or Paralympic performance
Ferrara, K., Burns, J. and Mills, H. 2015. Public attitudes toward people with intellectual disabilities after viewing Olympic or Paralympic performance. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly. 32 (1), pp. 19-33. https://doi.org/10.1123/apaq.2014-0136The development and properties of the support needs questionnaire
Davis, F. and Burns, J. 2015. The development and properties of the support needs questionnaire. Social Inclusion. 3 (4), pp. 63-75. https://doi.org/10.17645/si.v3i4.206Working with people with intellectual disabilities
Burns, J. 2015. Working with people with intellectual disabilities. in: Davey, G., Lake, N. and Whittington, A. (ed.) Clinical Psychology Routledge.Clinical psychology, sexuality and gender
Burns, J. and Zitz, C. 2015. Clinical psychology, sexuality and gender. in: Richards, C. and Barker, M. (ed.) The Palgrave Handbook of the Psychology of Sexuality and Gender Palgrave Macmillan.A political-representational crisis: A response to the draft manifesto for a social materialist psychology of distress
Burns, J. 2014. A political-representational crisis: A response to the draft manifesto for a social materialist psychology of distress. Clinical Psychology Forum. 256, pp. 34-37.Entry into clinical psychology careers: meeting the diversity challenge
Barker, V., Burns, J. and Burns, S. 2002. Entry into clinical psychology careers: meeting the diversity challenge. Phoenix. 103 (Winter), pp. 42-43.Trans men and friendships: A Foucauldian discourse analysis
Zitz, C., Burns, J. and Tacconelli, E. 2013. Trans men and friendships: A Foucauldian discourse analysis. Feminism and Psychology. 24 (2), pp. 216-237. https://doi.org/10.1177/0959353514526224The potential power of the Paralympics - changing attitudes towards people with intellectual disabilities
Parrot, K., Burns, J., Mills, H. and Baker, P. 2012. The potential power of the Paralympics - changing attitudes towards people with intellectual disabilities.What does the Olympics mean to you?
Burns, J. 2012. What does the Olympics mean to you? The Psychologist. 25 (7), pp. 508-509.Developing further sensitivity to issues relating to donor conception and lesbian couples
Burns, J. 2012. Developing further sensitivity to issues relating to donor conception and lesbian couples.The impact of involvement in sport on psychological factors such as self-esteem and social networks for people with intellectual disabilities
Burns, J. 2012. The impact of involvement in sport on psychological factors such as self-esteem and social networks for people with intellectual disabilities.An exploration of the psychological benefits of Special Olympic involvement
Burns, J. and Watts, C. 2012. An exploration of the psychological benefits of Special Olympic involvement.Eligibility and classification of elite athletes with intellectual disabilities for the Paralympics: the role of psychology
Burns, J. 2012. Eligibility and classification of elite athletes with intellectual disabilities for the Paralympics: the role of psychology.Trans men’s construction of friendships
Burns, J. 2012. Trans men’s construction of friendships.The Paralympic legacy: what will it do for people with intellectual disabilities?
Burns, J. 2012. The Paralympic legacy: what will it do for people with intellectual disabilities?Eligibility and classification in the Paralympics: how this works for athletes with intellectual disabilities
Burns, J. 2012. Eligibility and classification in the Paralympics: how this works for athletes with intellectual disabilities.Self esteem and participation in the Special Olympics
Burns, J. and Watts, C. 2012. Self esteem and participation in the Special Olympics.Falling through the rabbit hole: elite sports and people with intellectual disabilities
Burns, J. 2012. Falling through the rabbit hole: elite sports and people with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Critical Psychology Counselling and Psychotherapy. 11 (1), pp. 56-63.Developing the sports specific classification system for athletes with intellectual disabilities to compete in International Paralympic competition
Burns, J. 2012. Developing the sports specific classification system for athletes with intellectual disabilities to compete in International Paralympic competition.Psychology of women in the UK: toxin or tonic – our contribution to ‘the admirable transformation of opportunities for women’
Burns, J. 2012. Psychology of women in the UK: toxin or tonic – our contribution to ‘the admirable transformation of opportunities for women’. Psychology of Women Section Review. 14 (1), pp. 14-21.Deconstructing personal-professional development in UK clinical psychology: disciplining the interdisciplinarity of lived experience
Goodbody, L. and Burns, J. 2011. Deconstructing personal-professional development in UK clinical psychology: disciplining the interdisciplinarity of lived experience. The International Journal of Interdisciplinary Social Sciences. 5 (9), pp. 295-310.Same-sex relationships and women with intellectual disabilities
Burns, J. and Davies, D. 2011. Same-sex relationships and women with intellectual disabilities. Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities. 24 (4), pp. 351-360. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-3148.2010.00609.xClinical psychology getting lost? Accident, strategy or symptom? Invited commentary
Burns, J. 2011. Clinical psychology getting lost? Accident, strategy or symptom? Invited commentary. Clinical Psychology Forum. 217, pp. 19-21.
Psychology and the Paralympics: the role of the classifier for athletes with intellectual disabilities
Burns, J. 2012. Psychology and the Paralympics: the role of the classifier for athletes with intellectual disabilities.