Towards an inclusive Physical Education: theoretical-pedagogical foundations for the care of students with epilepsy
Keywords:
Inclusive Physical Education, childhood epilepsy, absence seizures, therapeutic exercise, pedagogical foundationsAbstract
The educational inclusion of children with chronic health conditions remains a pending challenge. Epilepsy with absence seizures (traditionally called “petit mal”) has been approached from a restrictive model leading to exemption from Physical Education classes, a practice lacking scientific support that violates fundamental rights. A theoretical review and systematization study was conducted using analytical-synthetic, inductive-deductive methods, and documentary review. Philosophical (dialectical materialism), sociological (inclusion theory), and psychological (child neuropsychology, historical-cultural approach) foundations were analyzed. A novel categorical framework was constructed, including the concepts of physical-therapeutic care, didactic-therapeutic integration, and physical-educational inclusion. The bases for a paradigm shift that overcomes the restrictive medical model and conceives the physical education class as a space for social mediation and integral development were established. The theoretical findings contrast with traditional school practice, showing that exemption is not justified by current scientific evidence, which demonstrates the benefits of physical activity for this population. The substantiated inclusive approach constitutes a viable, necessary, and ethically superior pedagogical alternative. It offers teachers a solid conceptual basis to transform their practices and advocates for a revision of teacher training curricula.
Downloads
References
Aguilar-Amat Prior, M.J., Ruggiero García, M., Oliva Navarro, J., & Alonso Singer P. (2023). Epilepsia: generalidades sobre las crisis epilépticas y la epilepsia. Medicine-Programa de Formación Médica Continuada Acreditado, 13(72), 4205-4219. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.med.2023.02.010
Bashiri, F. A., Hamad, M. H., Kentab, A. Y., & Alwadei, A. H. (2022). Childhood absence epilepsy: Electro-clinical manifestations, treatment options, and outcome in a tertiary educational center. International Journal of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 9(2), 131-135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpam.2021.11.003
Beniczky, S., Trinka, E., Wirrell, E., Abdulla, F., Al Baradie, R., Alonso Vanegas, M., ... & Cross, J. H. (2025). Updated classification of epileptic seizures: Position paper of the International League Against Epilepsy. Epilepsia, 66(6), 1804-1823. https://doi.org/10.1111/epi.18338
Besag, F. M., & Vasey, M. J. (2021). Neurocognitive effects of antiseizure medications in children and adolescents with epilepsy. Pediatric Drugs, 23(3), 253-286. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40272-021-00448-0
Block, M. E. (2016). A Teacher’s Guide to Adapted Physical Education Including Students with Disabilities in Sports and Recreation, Fourth Edition. Paul H. Brookes Publishing. https://brookespublishing.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/four-key-steps-to-including-adapted-sports.pdf
Booth, T., & Ainscow, M. (2015). Guía para la educación inclusiva: desarrollando el aprendizaje y la participación en los centros escolares. OEI/Universidad de Santiago de Chile. https://archive.org/details/booth-t.-y-ainscow-m.-guia-para-la-educacion-inclusiva.-desarrollando-el-aprendizaje.
Burgos-Angulo, D. J., Licoa-Briones, F. J., & Tutiven-Delgado, F.J. (2025). Estrategias para la inclusión de estudiantes con discapacidad en Educación Física: una revisión sistemática. Revista Internacional De Actividad Física, 3(1), 53-73. https://doi.org/10.53591/riaf.v3i1.1505
Casey, A., & Kirk, D. (2020). Models-based practice in physical education. Routledge. https://www.routledge.com/Models-based-Practice-in-Physical-Education/Casey-Kirk/p/book/9780367680381
CAST (2018). Universal Design for Learning Guidelines version 2.2. https://udlguidelines.cast.org
Cruz, A. A., Prieto-Corona, B., Yáñez-Téllez, G. Y., Amaya-Hernández, A. García-Méndez, A., Sánchez-Rodríguez, G., & Ramírez-Reyes, G. (2024). Perfil neuropsicológico de pacientes pediátricos mexicanos con epilepsia focal farmacorresistente. Revista de neurología, 78(12), 343-354. https://doi.org/10.33588/rn.7812.2024096
Díaz, G. B., Liermo, A. P., Puig, A. R., & Savigne, M. B. (2017). Historia de la Educación Física en Cuba. Actividad física y ciencias, 5(1). http://historico.upel.edu.ve:81/revistas/index.php/actividadfisicayciencias/article/view/5594
Flores-Aguilar, G. (2018). Educación Física y Pedagogía Crítica. Propuestas para la Transformación Personal y Social, Editado por Eloisa Lorente-Catalán y Daniel Martos-García. Qualitative Research in Education,7(2), 238-240. https://doi.org/10.17583/qre.2018.3524
Flory, S. B., Nieman, C. V., & Wylie, R. C. (2022). Challenges to culturally responsive teaching in physical education teacher education alumni: A mixed-methods analysis. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 42(3), 401-409. https://doi.org/10.1123/jtpe.2021-0312
Hardin, R. (2024). Introduction to adaptive sport and recreation. Human Kinetics. https://doi.org/10.1123/apaq.2024-0187
Ibañez-Micó, S., Gil-Aparicio, R., & Gómez-Conesa, A. (2024). Effect of a physical exercise program supported by wearable technology in children with drug-resistant epilepsy. A randomized controlled trial. Seizure, 121, 56–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seizure.2024.07.019
Mueller, C., Thomas, A., Amara, A. W., DeWolfe, J., & Thomas, S. J. (2024). Effects of exercise on sleep in patients with epilepsy: A systematic review. Epilepsy & behavior reports, 26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ebr.2024.100675
Ng, K., Klavina, A., Ferreira, J. P., Barrett, U., Pozeriene, J., & Reina, R. (2021). Teachers’ preparedness to deliver remote adapted physical education from different European perspectives: Updates to the European Standards in Adapted Physical Activity. European Journal of Special Needs Education, 36(1), 98–113. https://doi.org/10.1080/08856257.2021.1872848
Organización de las Naciones Unidas ONU. (2006). Convención sobre los derechos de las personas con discapacidad. Educación (art. 24), 445(470), 68-72. https://www.minsalud.gov.co/sites/rid/Lists/BibliotecaDigital/RIDE/DE/PS/Recomendaciones-comite-colombia-2016.pdf
Popov, S. N. (1988). Cultura Física Terapéutica. Ráduga, Moscú.
Pysiewicz, W., Garbarczyk, W., Napieralska, A., Kapla, A., Černohorská, A., Bednarczyk, D., ... & Jurkiewicz, M. (2025). The Role of Physical Activity in Managing Epilepsy in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Review. Quality in Sport, 38, 58245-58245. https://doi.org/10.12775/QS.2025.38.58245
Sarat-Chandra, V. N. V. S. J., Kamate, M., & Koparde, V. (2024). Psychiatric comorbidities in children with epilepsy. Indian Pediatrics, 61(11), 1043-1046. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13312-024-3314-x
Shiau-Chian J., Cheng-Jhih S., Kuang-Lin L., & Wen-Yu L. (2024). The effects of exercise training on children with Epilepsy: A systematic review based on the ICF model. Epilepsy & Behavior, 161, 110072. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2024.110072
Specchio, N., Trivisano, M., Aronica, E., Balestrini, S., Arzimanoglou, A., Colasante, G., ... & Curatolo, P. (2024). The expanding field of genetic developmental and epileptic encephalopathies: current understanding and future perspectives. The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health, 8(11), 821-834. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(24)00196-2
UNESCO. (1994). Declaración de Salamanca y Marco de Acción para las Necesidades Educativas Especiales. París: UNESCO.
UNESCO. (2015). Carta Internacional de la Educación Física, la Actividad Física y el Deporte. París: UNESCO.
Vigotsky, L. S. (1987). Historia del desarrollo de las funciones psíquicas superiores. La Habana: Editorial Científico-Técnica.
Winnick, J. P., & Porretta, D. L. (2021). Adapted physical education and sport (7th ed.). Human Kinetics. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/399401329_ADAPTED_PHYSICAL_EDUCATION_AND_SPORTS
Wirrell, E. (2023). Epilepsy and exercise: What patients and families need to know. Epilepsy Foundation. https://www.epilepsy.com/stories/epilepsy-and-exercise-what-patients-and-families-need-know
Zuñiga, J. R. S., Quesada, C. M. S., Rivera, A. D. J., Arguedas, J. J. A., & Arroyo, D. R. (2023). Epilepsia de ausencias en la niñez y adolescencia, diagnóstico, tratamiento y pronóstico. Revista Ciencia y Salud Integrando Conocimientos, 7(3), 45-53. https://revistacienciaysalud.ac.cr/ojs/index.php/cienciaysalud/article/view/611
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Gustavo Feraud Temó, Rita María Pérez Ramírez, Francisco Cristino Trejo del Pino
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
This journal provides immediate open access to its content, based on the principle that providing the public with free access to research supports a greater global exchange of knowledge.
In addition, open arbitration papers are accepted, preferably from Research Gate.
