With contributions from leading researchers and practitioners around the world, this book is the first to explore in depth the topic of sport and intellectual disability. Including both theoretical discussion and empirical case-studies, the book covers the full range of contemporary issues and themes, including training and coaching, family support, perceptions of disability, athlete motivation, positive sport experiences, motor development programmes, and social and cultural aspects of disability. Sport and Intellectual Disability is important reading for any student, researcher, coach, teacher, manager or policy maker with an interest in disability sport, physical education, coaching, or mainstream disability studies.

Introduction 1. Understanding Sport and Intellectual Disability: An Introduction Part I: Foundations 2. Changing Perspectives on Intellectual Disability through Sport 3. Sport and Intellectual Disability: Benefits, Barriers and Bridges 4. Creating a Positive Experience for Athletes with Intellectual Disabilities 5. Reflections on Coaching Athletes with Disabilities Part II: Developments 6. Teaching and Coaching Young People with Intellectual Disabilities - A Challenge for Mainstream Specialists 7. Special Olympics Athletes' Perspectives on their Motivation to Participate in Sports 8. Athletes with Intellectual Disabilities, Physical Disabilities and Associated Problems: Health Promotion and Enhancement Strategies 9. The Role Of Family Support in Enhancing Sport Activities for Children with Intellectual Disabilities Part III: Examples 10. Motor Activity Training for Young People with Severe Intellectual Disabilities 11. Special Olympics Unified Sports Football: Empowering Girls and Women on and off the Pitch 12. Motor Learning and Exercise Adaptations for Athletes with Intellectual Disabilities 13. Issues, Effects and Curriculum Design in Dance Pedagogy with and for Young People with Intellectual Disabilities 14. A Detailed Consideration of the Effectiveness of the "Maximum Effort Rule in the Special Olympics Conclusion 15. Sports as a Vehicle for Change in the Lives of People with Intellectual Disabilities