Inclusión y competición: adaptaciones para disminuir las barreras de participación de un grupo de gimnastas con discapacidad intelectual en gimnasia rítmica y propuesta de reglamento específico para la competición

An innovative experience carried out in a rhythmic gymnastics club is presented, involving four gymnasts with intellectual disabilities—three girls and a boy between 16 and 21 years of age—who have intermittent support needs. The group participated in two weekly sessions of 2 hours of training in an inclusive manner, together with 15 gymnasts with no disabilities, and in presence of a coach and a support specialist. The aim was to present adaptations that had been made to reduce barriers to participating in inclusive trainings and in exhibitions held by the club; to create and propose to the Catalan Gymnastics Federation specific rules for gymnasts with intellectual disabilities that include a new level in official competitions; and to participate in competitions organised by the Federation. Adaptations and support were carried out in the organisation of the trainings, in the rules, and in the teaching strategies, which favoured participation, learning, and exercise execution. The most relevant results were the participation in an exhibition with gymnasts with no disabilities; participation in two exhibitions with specific exercises using hoops; participation in two competitions organised by the Catalan Gymnastics Federation; and participation in the 1st Catalan Cup of rhythmic gymnastics, level XI, with an exercise with hoops and balls, in which they competed with three other groups of gymnasts with intellectual disabilities and 60 other clubs. We bring to attention the high level of satisfaction of all who participated in the experience.