Effects of alternated sport competition in perceived competence for adolescent males with mild to moderate mental retardation.

Since the beginning of the 1990s, two types of organized competitive sport (Segregated or Integrated) have been proposed for adolescents with mental retardation (AMR). These programmes often have as an objective the improvement of the individual's perceived competence. In France, a third competitive system, called Alternated sport meets (Segregated and Integrated) is actually used. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of this type of programme and type of sport (basketball versus running) on domains of perceived competence and general self-worth. The participants were 32 AMR (Mean age 13.5 years, SD = 0.80) divided equally into four groups: (a) alternated basketball; (b) alternated running; (c) control, adapted physical activity; (d) control, sedentary. The experimental treatment was for 7 months. The sport groups participated in 2 hours training each week and six competitive meets. We administrated Harter's (1985) Self-Perception Profile for Children seven times to determine changes in perceived competence and general self-worth. Results indicated no significant changes in the specific domains of perceived competence and general self-worth.