Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2025

Importance of Jumping Ability in Handball Throwing Speed and Accuracy
Published on: April 4, 2025
Exploring developmental factors influencing performance excellence in twice-exceptional Saudi athletes: a case study
Abdulhamid A Alarfaj1, Marwa M Hassan2, Refah M Aljohar1
1Department of Special Education, College of Education, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia.
Introduction:
Achieving exceptional performance in sports, particularly among twice-exceptional athletes, is a multifaceted process that remains underexplored. Understanding the developmental pathways that lead to performance excellence is essential for supporting this unique population.
Methods:
This study employed a qualitative case study approach involving three male Paralympic champions (mean age: 33 years). Data were collected using achievement portfolios and in-depth interviews to explore the athletes' lived experiences and identify influential developmental factors.
Results:
Two distinct developmental stages emerged from the analysis. The first stage, characterized by spontaneous and unstructured motivation, was shaped by psychological and social influences that sparked a general interest in sports. The second stage involved intentional goal setting and structured practice within specialized sports environments. Key factors such as individual growth characteristics and physiological development influenced each stage differently over time.
Discussion:
The findings highlight the complex interplay of personal, psychological, social, and contextual factors in the development of performance excellence in twice-exceptional Paralympic athletes. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of how targeted support and recognition of developmental needs can foster sustained athletic excellence.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Social Facilitation
Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
Natural Selection and Adaptation
Beyond physical adaptations,...
Exercise and Muscle Performance
Endurance exercises
Endurance exercises involve running, swimming, or cycling, which require repetitive movements with low force output. When a person engages in endurance exercise, a few noticeable changes occur in their skeletal muscles. For instance, the number of capillaries...
Secondary Motives: Power Motivation and Achievement Motivation
Power motivation is characterized by the desire to influence, control, or have an impact on others. It is shaped by an individual's experiences, social environment, and cultural context. People with high power motivation are...
Environmental Influences on Intelligence

