Development of precision in people with Down syndrome through the means of bocce

Precision is a component of the coordination ability, which is necessary as a motor task for the bocce game to be practiced.This paper aims to determine and investigate the development of precision in the bocce game for athletes with Down syndrome.The research athletes performed two tests for the assessment of precision, which were taken over from the Bocce Coaching Guide, and adapted and modified by us.The tests were applied to 19 athletes who were divided into two groups: one group was made up of 11 athletes (aged 18 or less) and the other included 8 athletes (aged 19 and above).The research methods used were: documentation, experiment, statistical and mathematical method, and graphical method.After the initial test, the athletes with Down syndrome attended the lessons of the interventional programme over a period of 8 months.The exercises used were bocce-specific means and were applied in real-game conditions.The final test has highlighted that the precision required by the bocce game can be educated and developed in people with Down syndrome.The development of this ability is based on the rigorous planning of the lesson content through the selection, design and application of the boccespecific means.This research is part of the "Sport together, active forever" project (Erasmus+ Sport Project -590526).