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Journals / SPORMETRE Beden Eğitimi ve Spor Bilimleri Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 24 Sayı: 1

UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ PARTICIPATION EXPERIENCES IN AN ADAPTED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROGRAM

Rıfat Kerem Gürkan(KIRIKKALE ÜNİVERSİTESİ, SPOR BİLİMLERİ FAKÜLTESİ)0000-0003-2802-9350
Pages
66–81
Publication Date
2026-03-28
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

In conclusion, it was observed that voluntary participation and the desire to get to know children with special needs were significant factors in students' involvement.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:The aim of the study is to examine an adapted physical activity (APA) program implemented for children with intellectual disabilities from the perspective of students in a faculty of sports sciences.
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Key Findings & Data:The study group consists of 20 university students studying in the Faculty of Sports Sciences who participated in a 12-week adapted physical activity program.
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Conclusion & Impact:In conclusion, it was observed that voluntary participation and the desire to get to know children with special needs were significant factors in students' involvement.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Adapte edilmiş fiziksel aktivite · özel gereksinimli bireyler · üniversite öğrencileri

Abstract

The aim of the study is to examine an adapted physical activity (APA) program implemented for children with intellectual disabilities from the perspective of students in a faculty of sports sciences. The research is a qualitative study designed in a phenomenological pattern. In determining the research group, one of the non-probability sampling methods, the convenience sampling technique was used. The study group consists of 20 university students studying in the Faculty of Sports Sciences who participated in a 12-week adapted physical activity program. A personal information form and a semi-structured interview form were used as data collection tools. Individual face-to-face interviews were conducted with the university students who participated in the program. Thematic analysis was used in analyzing the data. Based on the findings obtained from the study, three themes were identified. The reasons for university students’ participation in the program were examined under the theme of "Motivation for Participation in Program". The benefits gained by university students as a result of participating in the program were categorized under "Benefits Experienced by University Students", and the final theme of the study, "Changing Attitudes Among University Students", explored the shifts in university students' perspectives toward the field as a result of their participation in the program. In conclusion, it was observed that voluntary participation and the desire to get to know children with special needs were significant factors in students' involvement. As a result of participating in the program, university students gained experience in this field. In line with the experiences and gains obtained, it was found that the university students’ perspectives on APA changed as they spent more time with individuals with special needs, their self-confidence improved, and their willingness to work in institutions or organizations serving this population increased.

Özet

Araştırmanın amacı, zihinsel yetersizliği bulunan çocuklara yönelik gerçekleştirilen adapte edilmiş fiziksel aktivite (AFA) programının spor bilimleri fakültesi öğrencilerinin perspektifinden incelenmesidir. Araştırma, fenomenolojik desende tasarlanmış nitel araştırmadır. Araştırma grubunu belirlemede, olasılıklı olmayan örnekleme yöntemlerinden biri olan kolayda örnekleme tekniği kullanılmıştır. Araştırmanın çalışma grubunu Spor Bilimleri Fakültesinde öğrenim görmekte olan ve 12 haftalık adapte edilmiş fiziksel aktivite programına katılım sağlayan 20 üniversite öğrencisi oluşturmaktadır. Araştırmada veri toplama aracı olarak kişisel bilgi formu ve yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu kullanılmıştır. Programa katılan üniversite öğrencileri ile bireysel görüşmeler yüz yüze gerçekleştirilmiştir. Verilerin analizinde tematik analizi kullanılmıştır. Araştırmadan elde edilen bulgular doğrultusunda üç tema belirlenmiştir. Üniversite öğrencilerinin programa katılım nedenleri “Programa Katılım Motivasyonu” ana teması altında incelenmiştir. Programa katılım sonucunda üniversite öğrencilerinin elde ettikleri faydalar “Üniversite Öğrencilerinin Kazanımları” ve araştırmanın son temasını ise programa katılım sonucunda üniversite öğrencilerinin alana yönelik bakış açılarının incelendiği “Üniversite Öğrencilerinde Değişen Tutumlar” teması oluşmuştur. Sonuç olarak, üniversite öğrencilerinin programa katılımlarında gönüllülük ve özel çocukları tanıma isteğinin önemli birer faktör olduğu görülmektedir. Programa katılım sonucunda üniversite öğrencilerinin bu alana yönelik deneyim kazandıkları belirtilmektedir. Elde edilen kazanımlar ve deneyim doğrultusunda üniversite öğrencilerinin AFA alanına yönelik bakış açılarının özel gereksinimli bireylerle vakit geçirdikçe değiştiği, kendilerine güvenlerinin geliştiği ve bu alanda hizmet veren kurum veya kuruluşlarda çalışma niyetlerinin arttığı görülmektedir.

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Cite This Article

Gürkan, R. K. (2026). UNIVERSITY STUDENTS’ PARTICIPATION EXPERIENCES IN AN ADAPTED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROGRAM. SPORMETRE Beden Eğitimi ve Spor Bilimleri Dergisi, Cilt: 24 Sayı: 1, 66–81. https://doi.org/10.33689/spormetre.1744371

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