What are the sports that most favor the inclusion of children and adolescents?

He sport It is one of the activities that brings the most benefits to children and adolescents. When it comes to health, it is obvious, but it also plays a very prominent role in promoting your emotional well-being. Why not give minors with some type of disability or special needs the opportunity to practice some sporting activity? The benefits of sport For these children they are even older, if possible.

Aware of this, “in recent years, the commitment of sports organizations and federations to create more inclusive and accessible spaces and activities has grown significantly,” as noted Javier Pérez Tejero, director of the Sanitas Foundation Chair for Studies on Inclusive Sports (CEDI). “Sports such as archery, badminton, fencing and hockey are some of the sports that have worked to achieve inclusion.”

Which are the most recommended for children and adolescents with disabilities?

It is also important to know what sport to choose or the options to give to the minors with disabilitiestaking into account both its limitations and its strengths. In general, “the most recommended sports for children and adolescents with disabilities are all those in which individual differences are not a barrier to participation,” explains Tejero.

The expert highlights wheelchair basketball as one of the most appropriate sports practices to promote inclusion, since in it all players compete in a wheelchair, regardless of whether they need it or not. “This balances physical differences, focusing competition on technical skills, strategy and teamwork, while encouraging equality and collaboration.”

But he is not the only one; There are other sports that, in one way or another, allow for true inclusion. Javier Pérez Tejero points out the following:

• swimming. It has a great ability to adapt to different needs. “In this discipline, when competing in an inclusive manner, swimmers compete against the world record in their category, whether they have a disability or not, with each person having a different mark to face.”
• athletics. “It offers a wide variety of tests, such as running, throwing and jumping, that are accessible to people with disabilities.” physical, sensory or intellectual disability”. Athletes can use technical aids such as prostheses, wheelchairs or guides, while able-bodied athletes participate under conventional rules.
• table tennis. Since it can be practiced both standing and in a wheelchair, this sport “is ideal for children and adolescents with physical or intellectual disabilities,” says the director of CEDI. “In inclusive modalities, such as those developed in the II Inclusive Games“In each match there is a doubles match where each pair is made up of a player in a wheelchair and another without a disability.”
• archery. It is easily adapted with techniques and equipment designed for various physical abilities, allowing equal participation of people with and without disabilities.
• badminton. This sport, when practiced both individually and in pairs, “encourages interaction between players of different levels and abilities,” in a way that encourages teamwork.
• fencing. For Pérez Tejero, this sporting practice is perfect for encouraging the participation of boys and girls with disabilities, since it also has inclusive modalities such as wheelchair fencing and blind fencing.
• hockey. “It stands out as a team sport that encourages equality and collaboration, being especially popular in school environments due to its mixed nature.”

Inclusion should not only take into account minors with physical or intellectual disabilities, but also those with special needs who, for one reason or another, have certain difficulties socializing or relating to their peers. “For these children and adolescents, the most suitable are team sports or those that involve a lot of interaction, as they promote essential social skills such as communication, collaboration and empathy.”

The expert considers that the perfect sports for these minors are badminton, table tennis in its doubles form, hockey or volleyball because they require joint work, and this encourages the creation of bonds between players while working towards a common goal.

“Besides, sports with clear rules “such as fencing or basketball help develop respect for others, tolerance and conflict management in a safe and structured environment,” he adds. “On the other hand, activities with less competitive pressure are perfect for breaking social barriers. By participating in these sports, children can improve their self-esteem, gain confidence in their interactions, and learn to manage social situations.”

Does inclusive sport favor minors without disabilities or any type of special need?

Javier Perez Tejero is very clear about this, because he sees that inclusive sport It also provides significant benefits to children and adolescents who do not have any physical or intellectual disabilities and who do not have special needs. It provides them with a unique opportunity for awareness and learning, he tells us.

“The coexistence and direct interaction with colleagues with disabilities They foster empathy and respect, allowing them to better understand the realities and challenges faced by others. By breaking social barriers and demystifying disabilities, these sports help create a more open, tolerant and supportive generation.”