Intellectual or physical incapacity is not an impediment to practice sports, actually It has been identified that this practice is especially useful for personal and professional growth in these athletes. In this case we will refer to Karate.
Thanks to the REINDIBE project, elite athletes, including Spain, Europe and world champions from para-karate, have developed skills and abilities that have exceeded initial expectations in a substantial way.
In 2021, the International Research Network on Inclusive Sport and Well-being (REINDIBE) was created, a scientific project funded by the High Council of Sports (CSD), whose main objective was to measure the well-being of elite athletes and para-karate coaches of the Madrid Karate Federation (FMK). a group of 28 researchers participated in the event coordinated by the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain), including 8 Spain universities and 3 Ibero American universities.
In the REINDIBE project, led by Dr. Mónica Gómez Suárez (Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain) and Dr. Pedro Cuesta Valiño (Universidad de Alcalá and 7th Dan in Karate), para-karate athletes from the FMK were evaluated through assessment models based on algorithms with the goal of developing improvement actions through the practice of this sport.
Due to the success achieved, in 2022 the Spanish High Council of Sports continued the project as REINDIBE-2, now coordinated by the Universidad de Alcalá, expanding the research across Spain and collaborating with the Spanish Royal Karate Federation (RFEK). It is expected to reach intercontinental coverage next year.
To carry out these measurements, the exclusive technology of the DNAe® algorithm from the Spanish company Jacobson has been used. This technology simulates the neuromodulatory model of the evaluated individuals through a simple test consisting of 29 brief statements: the psychogenic test of Azulay Bernstein. This test is also applied to coaches, comparing their results with those obtained from athletes to accurately understand their affinities, thereby reducing or eliminating risks in their relationship, communication, personal and professional development.
In fact, the results from athletes confirm a 3.81% increase in organization and peripheral mindset, along with a 6.48% and 7.44% increase in collaborative activity and learning breadth, respectively. Additionally, a 3.12% reduction in rebellion and reactivity has been observed.
Both groups, athletes and coaches, are identified with an alphanumeric code, thus avoiding prior knowledge of intellectual and/or physical disabilities, gender, age, etc. This is not only to ensure the protection of their data but also to eliminate biases or prejudices in the sequencing, collection, and interpretation of results.
The truth is that psychogenic factors are crucial for ensuring the progression of elite athletes, but they are even more when it comes to individuals with intellectual and/or physical disabilities. For example, how does a person with Down syndrome assimilate being in the elite of karate?
What mental conditions must a blind athlete possess to be awarded the gold medal at the World Championship?
It is clear that we are not referring to sick or weak individuals, but rather athletes whose disabilities force them to be even stronger, it demands an exceptional level of self-discipline.
Broadly speaking, their training is focused on achieving excellence in synchronization, concentration, strength, and precision. Moreover, they study and/or work while enjoying the autonomy, independence, security, and enjoyment that sport provides.
But really, the fundamental goal is for them to be happy people… Something that is within their reach when they are supported in achieving it. In short, sport, academic research, and algorithms have created a perfect alliance.
