Sport and Universal Design: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The present study aims to investigate the presence in the literature of research that connects sport and universal design, with a view to understanding the research methodologies and the most common Universal Design (UD) approaches in sports practice. To this end, the PRISMA model was selected to conduct the systematic literature review.
Methodology: A comprehensive search was conducted across three major databases: Scopus, ERIC, and EBSCO SportDiscus with Full Text, using the search string "Universal design" AND "sport." This yielded a total of 80 records, which were then reduced to 10 after the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, with only 8 ultimately included in the study.
Results and discussion: The analysis confirms the scarcity of literature on the topic, with research primarily limited to the USA. Most studies are of a qualitative nature and primarily focus on the application of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) in sport, particularly in relation to coach and educator training.