Coaches´ and referees´ opinion about the influence of intellectual
impairment on fundamental basketball activities

One of the major problems that basketball for players with intellectual impairment (II) is
facing nowadays is the lack of evidence-based eligibility systems which ensures that only athletes with
significant limitations performing basketball participate in II-competitions. Moreover, to solve this
situation is needed to re-include this sport in the Paralympic Program. A first step to develop these
systems is to investigate how II influences basketball performance. Due to this, the purpose of this
study was to analyze experienced II-basketball coaches´ and referees´ opinion about how II impact on
fundamental basketball activities. 40 coaches and 6 referees from different levels of II-competition
completed a questionnaire designed ad hoc to assess their opinion about the influence of II on
fundamental basketball activities. Participants expressed that II-players present limitations to carry out
the 92.68% of the activities from the questionnaire. Mean values of offensive individual tactics were
significantly higher than technical skills and defensive individual tactics. These results indicated that IIplayers
present limitations performing basketball and they are relevant to orientate future research to
develop evidence-based eligibility systems in this sport.

One of the major problems that basketball for players with intellectual impairment (II) is
facing nowadays is the lack of evidence-based eligibility systems which ensures that only athletes with
significant limitations performing basketball participate in II-competitions. Moreover, to solve this
situation is needed to re-include this sport in the Paralympic Program. A first step to develop these
systems is to investigate how II influences basketball performance. Due to this, the purpose of this
study was to analyze experienced II-basketball coaches´ and referees´ opinion about how II impact on
fundamental basketball activities. 40 coaches and 6 referees from different levels of II-competition
completed a questionnaire designed ad hoc to assess their opinion about the influence of II on
fundamental basketball activities. Participants expressed that II-players present limitations to carry out
the 92.68% of the activities from the questionnaire. Mean values of offensive individual tactics were
significantly higher than technical skills and defensive individual tactics. These results indicated that IIplayers
present limitations performing basketball and they are relevant to orientate future research to
develop evidence-based eligibility systems in this sport.