The promotion of physical activity between people with disabilities has been pointed out as an important issue since they have a higher risk of serious health problems. However, the participation of people with disabilities do not meet the recommended physical activity guidelines. Based on the existing literature, the first aim of the study was to analyse how an inclusive sport training program could affect the intention of physical education (PE) teachers to develop different teaching styles in their classes. The second aim was to explore whether teaching students with disabilities could alter the effect of the intervention. A paired t-test revealed that participants had higher intentions to display autonomy (5.29 vs. 5.50; p<.001) and structure-supportive (5.78 vs. 5.92; p<.001) teaching styles after the intervention. Regarding the influence of having contact with students with disabilities (SWID), it was found that the intervention had slightly different effects on teachers with and without experience teaching SWD. Findings are discussed in terms of inclusion, motivation, and teaching behaviours in PE contexts with SWID, suggesting the existence of a parallelism between teaching behaviours that favour the inclusion of students with disabilities and those that favour motivation between students. Resumen La promoción de la actividad física en personas con discapacidad es un tema de gran relevancia, ya que este grupo enfrenta un mayor riesgo de sufrir problemas de salud graves. Sin embargo, su participación en actividades físicas no alcanza los niveles recomendados. Basándose en la literatura existente, el primer objetivo del estudio fue analizar cómo un programa de entrenamiento deportivo inclusivo puede influir en la intención de los profesores de educación física (EF) de adoptar diferentes estilos de enseñanza en sus clases. El segundo objetivo fue explorar si la experiencia previa en la enseñanza de estudiantes con discapacidad podría modificar el efecto de la intervención. Los resultados de una prueba t pareada indicaron que, tras la intervención, los participantes mostraron una mayor intención de emplear estilos de enseñanza que fomentan la autonomía (5.29 vs. 5.50; p<.001) y el apoyo estructural (5.78 vs. 5.92; p<.001). Además, se observó que la intervención tuvo efectos ligeramente distintos en docentes con y sin experiencia previa en la enseñanza de estudiantes con discapacidad. Los hallazgos se discuten en términos de inclusión, motivación y comportamientos docentes en contextos de EF con estudiantes con discapacidad., sugiriendo la existencia de un paralelismo entre los comportamientos docentes que favorecen la inclusión de estudiantes con discapacidad y aquellos que fomentan la motivación entre los estudiantes.

The aims of this systematic review and meta-analyses were to evaluate the effects of exercise on the functional capacity and quality of life (QoL) of people with acquired brain injury (ABI) and to analyze the influence of training variables. Five electronic databases (MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, SportDiscus, and Web of Science) were searched until October 2021 for clinical trials or experimental studies examining the effects of exercise on the functional capacity and QoL in adults with ABI and comparing exercise interventions to nonexercise (usual care). Thirty eight studies were evaluated. A total sample of 2219 people with ABI (exercise, n = 1572; control, n = 647) were included in the quantitative analysis. A greater improvement was observed in walking endurance (z score = 2.84), gait speed (z score = 2.01), and QoL physical subscale (z score = 3.42) and QoL mental subscale (z score = 3.00) was observed in the experimental group than in the control group. In addition, an improvement was also observed in the experimental group in the “Timed “Up and Go” Test scores and balance, without differences with respect to the control group. Significant interactions were also observed between the rehabilitation phases, type, frequency, and volume of training, and overall effects. The results suggest that exercise improves functional capacity and QoL regardless of model training, highlighting the effectiveness of long-term exercise that includes short sessions, with components such as strength, balance, and aerobic exercise.

Introduction: Acquired brain injury (ABI) constitutes a significant and growing global public health concern. People with ABI often face a range of physical and psychosocial challenges that span the domains of “body structure and function”, “activity”, and “participation”, as defined by the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health. Multidisciplinary approaches based on exercise therapy with social leisure activities are essential to improve physical recovery and health-related quality of life after injury. Methods: Adults with ABI, aged > 18 years, in the subacute or chronic stage (within more than one month after the injury) will be recruited through a rehabilitation center. Adults will be randomized to receive either a racket sports-based exercise therapy program combined with usual care (sET) or usual care alone (UC) using a random number sequence with a 1:1 allocation ratio. sET intervention consists of an 8-week exercise therapy program focusing on different racket sports skills, 1 h in duration, 2 days/week. It will be delivered by a physiotherapist in tailored, face-to-face, group-based sessions. Primary outcomes will be the health-related quality of life (SF-36) and upper extremity motor function (Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremity Scale). Discussion: The study proposes an intervention that combines sports-based exercise therapy with usual care. It aims to determine whether this intervention improves the health-related quality of life and upper limb motor function in adults with ABI compared with usual care alone. The results of this study may have clinical implications for the rehabilitation of this population.

Background People with acquired brain injury (ABI) frequently exhibit physical and psychosocial challenges, regarding the ‘body structure and function’, ‘activity’ and ‘participation’ ICF domains. Multidisciplinary approaches oriented to exercise therapy and social leisure activities seem to be fundamental to elicit neuroplastic adaptations to enhance physical recovery, as well as to improve the cognitive and behavioural sequels after ABI. The DIScover trial has been designed to support the development of fundamental movement and participation skills through a exercise therapy program based on racket sports. This program is a tool with a high social component that allows to integrate different body synergies and complex motor strategies that promote functional performance on both lower and upper limbs. Methods This randomized controlled trial with two parallel groups will aim to design and determine the effectiveness of a racket sports-based exercise therapy program in improving upper limb motor function, functional capacity, mobility, balance and quality of life towards people with ABI. Discussion The current study provides an holistic approach that combines exercise therapy and sport-based functional demands that can be easily integrated into participants’ daily life activities. Results from this trial may guide healthcare professionals working with patients with ABI to better guide this population in reaching optimal levels of health and physical activity levels.Trial registration number:NCT05358470

Background/Objectives: Pediatric acquired brain injury (ABI) often results in persistent challenges that extend beyond motor impairments, affecting quality of life (QoL), social participation, and engagement in physical activity. Given the complexity and chronicity of these outcomes, there is a pressing need for multidimensional interventions grounded in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF). Sport-based exercise interventions, when developmentally adapted and tailored to individual interests, may promote intrinsic motivation, peer connection, and sustainable engagement—factors especially relevant in pediatric ABI populations, who often experience reduced physical activity and social isolation. However, standardized, replicable protocols specifically tailored to this population remain scarce. This study presents the protocol for a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects of a 16-week sport-based intervention on QoL, social participation, physical activity engagement, and motor functioning tailored for adolescents with pediatric ABI. Methods: Participants will be randomly assigned to an intervention group or a control group receiving usual care. The intervention consists of one weekly 60-minute session, led by trained professionals in adapted physical activity and pediatric neurorehabilitation. It combines sport-based motor skill training, cooperative games, and group activities specifically tailored to each child’s developmental level, motor abilities, and preferences. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and following the 16-week intervention period, focusing on QoL, participation, physical activity engagement, and motor functioning. Discussion: This study introduces a structured, child-centered model that bridges clinical rehabilitation and community-based sport. By integrating motor and psychosocial targets through a group sport-based intervention, it aims to enhance recovery across ICF domains. Findings may inform interdisciplinary practice and support the development of sustainable strategies to promote long-term engagement and well-being in adolescents with ABI.