Summary:

As indicated in the EU Physical Activity Guidelines (2008)– “Sport policy should be evidence-based, and public funding for sport science should encourage research that seeks to uncover new knowledge about activities that allow the population at large to be physically active” (Guideline 9). Moreover, “Sport organisations should cooperate with universities and higher vocational schools to develop training programmes for coaches, instructors and other sport professionals aimed to advise and prescribe physical activity for sedentary individuals and those with motor or mental disabilities who wish to take up a particular sport” (Guideline 11).

Considering this, and in order to support the implementation of the Guidelines, IKONS wants to spread in Europe the adapted teaching methodological approach developed in recent years by the I-Karate Global/IKF whose specific aim is stimulate the integration of physically and mentally disabled persons via inclusive karate as part of their personal development.

Thus, the project objectives are:

• to promote and improve social inclusion of DS individuals through karate practice using a new approach (I-Karate Global-IKF approach);

• to improve physical conditions (motor skills, coordination, cognitive function), and activities of daily life in DS individuals through inclusive karate courses;

• to train karate coach with specific skills in the participating countries in order to standardize the project approach and make it transferable and replicable also in other contexts and countries. The training will be organized using the “train the trainers” methodology in order to trigger a cascade effect and involve more operators in the sector;

• to organize multiplier sport events open to the public to inform them about the project and of other topics as the Importance of physical activity for the maintenance of health status; the benefits of exercise to a Down’s Syndrome population.

Program:

Erasmus+: Sport Collaborative Partnerships

Coordinator

University of Rome “Foro Italico” (IT)

Partners

Federazione Italiana Judo Lotta Karate Arti Marziali (IT)

Istituto Europeo per lo Sviluppo Socio Economico (IT)

I Karate Hungary SE (HU)

Inclusive KARATE Federation (BE)

Karate Bregenz (AT)

Romanian Karate Federation (RO)

Duration of project

1.1. 2019 - 31. 12. 2021

Link to web page:

https://www.ikons-project.eu/