Unified Sports for Inclusive Education: Assessing Basketball’s Role in Supporting Students with Special Educational Needs—A Pilot Study

Mario Ruggiero, Pietro Montesano, Leopoldo Ferrante, Cristina Mennitti, Olga Scudiero and Filomena Mazzeo ()
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Mario Ruggiero: Department of Medical, Human Movement and Well-Being Sciences, University of Naples Parthenope, Via Medina 40, 80133 Napoli, Italy
Pietro Montesano: Department of Medical, Human Movement and Well-Being Sciences, University of Naples Parthenope, Via Medina 40, 80133 Napoli, Italy
Leopoldo Ferrante: Department of Economics, Law, Cybersecurity and Sports Sciences, University of Naples Parthenope, 80035 Nola, Italy
Cristina Mennitti: Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, Federico II University, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
Olga Scudiero: Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, Federico II University, Via Sergio Pansini 5, 80131 Napoli, Italy
Filomena Mazzeo: Department of Economics, Law, Cybersecurity and Sports Sciences, University of Naples Parthenope, 80035 Nola, Italy

Disabilities, 2025, vol. 5, issue 4, 1-15

Abstract: This pilot study evaluates the effectiveness of basketball, implemented according to Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles and educational best practices, as an inclusive tool for students with Special Educational Needs in lower secondary school. The research involved 24 adolescents aged 11–14 with Special Educational Needs, who participated in a structured 30-session basketball program designed to enhance motor, relational, and individual skills. The program incorporated evidence-based methodologies such as differentiated instruction, peer modeling, and cooperative activities. Motor tests and psychometric questionnaires were administered pre- and post-intervention to assess three key developmental dimensions. Results demonstrated significant improvements across all three dimensions: relational competencies and individual factors showed equal progress (+20.8% each), while motor skills showed slightly more modest but still substantial gains (+16.6%). These findings confirm that a structured pedagogical approach can transform sport into a powerful vehicle for inclusion. The article highlights how the integration of physical activity, inclusive teaching methodologies, and unified sports represents an effective strategy to address the complexity of Special Educational Needs.

Keywords: students with Special Educational Needs (SEN); Universal Design for Learning (UDL); educational best practices; unified sports; basketball; doping; inclusive teaching (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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