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Theory and Practice of Physical Culture and Sports

Article

Physical education as a means of socialisation for youth with physical disabilities

Yuriy Kryvenko, Valentyna Huralchuk, Roman Kryvenko
Retrieved from Vol. 4, No. 1, 2025 Pages 27–40
Received
01.02.2025
Revised
15.05.2025
Accepted
23.06.2025
Views
489

Abstract

The social integration of youth with physical disabilities remains a priority issue in society, and physical education serves as a tool for overcoming social isolation and developing communication skills. The study aimed to provide a theoretical justification for the mechanisms, organisational forms and stages of socialisation of youth with physical disabilities through a system of adaptive physical education and sport. A theoretical analysis of 36 scientific publications from the international databases Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed and Google Scholar for the period 2019-2025 was carried out using methods of systematisation, comparative and structural-functional analysis to identify conceptual approaches and develop a procedural model. Seven interrelated mechanisms of the socialising influence of physical education were identified, including communicative, integrative, normative-role, compensatory, emotional-volitional, value-orientational and status-positional, each of which activates specific social competences. The organisational forms of involving youth from specialised institutions in inclusive sections and public organisations have been systematised, with their socialisation potential being determined. Analysis of sources showed a 37% improvement in quality of life and a 62% reduction in symptoms of depression and anxiety among youth involved in systematic physical education and sports activities, while 52.8% of coaches reported insufficient equipment and conditions. The developed procedural model conceptualises socialisation as a sequence of four stages – engagement, integration, identification, transformation – with specific tasks, mechanisms of influence and transition criteria for each stage. The results form a theoretical framework for designing differentiated socialisation programmes and recommend the integration of technological innovations to expand the accessibility of adaptive sports

Keywords

adaptive sports; quality of life; inclusive environment; emotional health; communication skills; competitive activities

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Suggested citation

Kryvenko, Yu., Huralchuk, V., & Kryvenko, R. (2025). Physical education as a means of socialisation for youth with physical disabilities. Theory and Practice of Physical Culture and Sports, 4(1), 27-40. https://doi.org/10.69587/tppcs/1.2025.27