Motor Activity Training Program: MATP
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The Motor Activity Training Program (MATP) is an international sports and exercise program that has been specifically developed for people with profound intellectual and multiple disabilities (PIMD). This research is part of the MATCODE-project, which is an Erasmus+ project.
About this research
MATP is officially part of Special Olympics International. MATP is practiced in 96 countries, 31 of which are from Europe. A three-year Erasmus+ project has been started involving collaboration between Disabled Sports Netherlands, Special Olympics Slovakia, Special Olympics Ireland and the Academic Collaborative Centre for people with PIMD. Together they are committed to further develop this program and to create a better understanding of what MATP means for people with PIMD and the people surrounding them.
Why this research?
To better understand what the different parts of MATP mean for people with PIMD and the people surrounding them, research is conducted during the project. How and by whom the MATP is practiced in the three countries is monitored. In addition, we want to use interviews to find out how participation in MATP is experienced for the athletes and the coaches.
Subprojects
Stakeholder analysis
At the start of the project, the Academic Collaborative Centre for people with PIMD conducts a stakeholder analysis in the Netherlands, Slovakia and Ireland. The analysis provides, among other things, a basis for shaping the implementation of the other parts of the project, explaining international best practices and developing guidelines for local implementation of MATP.
Monitoring
MATP is monitored for three years by the Academic Collaborative Centre for people with PIMD.
Photo elicitation interviews
Through a photo interview, an attempt is made to answer the question of what MATP means for athletes with PIMD and their coaches and relatives.
Supervising team
Stèphanie Boshuijzen is supervised by Aly Waninge and Annet ten Brug.
Funding
This project is funded by the European Union.
However, the ideas and opinions expressed here are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the EACEA can be held liable for this.
About the researchers
What is your position within the Academic Collaborative Centre for people with PIMD?
As a junior researcher, I am involved in the Erasmus+ MATCODE project, which conducts research into the Motor Activity Training Program (MATP), which is a sports and exercise program, especially for people with PIMD. Within this project I investigate the role of the environment and the meaning of MATP for the athlete and this environment.
What do you want to achieve?
I like to conduct scientific research into sports and exercise for people with EMB, so that this research eventually can make a difference in practice. Since people with PIMD are completely dependent on their environment, it is important that the environment is adapted in such a way that they also have the opportunity to participate in sports, exercise and music. Just like everyone else.
What is your role within the Academic Collaborative Centre related to people with PIMD?
I am an Assistant Professor at the University of Groningen, and for my research, I am affiliated with the ACC PIMD. My research focuses on developing and implementing interventions. In addition to this, I also teach in the Department of Special Needs Education.
What do you hope to achieve?
Fortunately, science is no longer something that exists entirely separate from ‘the real world,’ I hope to bring science and practice closer together. By working with experts by experience and healthcare professionals the chances increase that research results will be relevant and applicable.
Related research of Annet
What is your role within the Academic Collaborative Centre related to people with PIMD?
I represent Hanze University of Applied Sciences in the Management Team. I am also involved in various doctoral research projects within the ACC-PIMD as a second supervisor. These research themes include motor activation, participation and the quality of life of families who have a child with PIMD.
What do you hope to achieve?
My goal is to meet the need expressed by those involved in the day-to-day support of people with PIMD for theory-based, scientifically underpinned knowledge surrounding diagnostics and treatment. Both in practice and as a scientist, it is my strong desire to advocate for people with severe or profound visual, intellectual and motor-related disabilities. I want to contribute to the generation of new knowledge in the context of a sound scientific process that recognises the value of input from families and professionals.