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In recent years, research on the benefits of physical activity and sport for disabled youth has received scholarly attention. For example, adapted or inclusive youth sport has been put forth as a facilitator of both health-enhancing physical activity and psychosocial development for disabled youth. Disability sport can also be a tool for social change by challenging issues of isolation and inequality (Richardson et al., 2017), particularly in non-westernized cultures. However, research on the benefits of disability sports is limited to North American or western European contexts. In this article, we examined the participation of disabled young athletes, their families and coaches from the country of Latvia in the sport of wheelchair tennis. Qualitative methodology revealed three themes: (1) Making New Friends, (2) Becoming Stronger, (3) and Being Part of a Group. For the athletes, their families, and coaches, wheelchair tennis was not simply about playing the sport, but learning to overcome multiple challenges (e.g., environmental and psychological barriers, social attitudes), enriching their social experiences and improving the quality of lives. Keywords: Wheelchair tennis, disabled youth, Eastern European countries, In recent years, research on the benefits of physical activity and sport for disabled youth has received some scholarly attention, largely within western contexts (Carbone et al., 2021; Saebu et [...]

According to several earlier studies, the prevalence of Heterobasidion in peat soils is generally lower compared to mineral soils. However, in some Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) stands on drained peat soils in Latvia, serious damage caused by Heterobasidion root rot has been observed. To determine the spread of Heterobasidion spp. on peat soil, we analyzed the structure of Heterobasidion genets in 20 study plots established in disease centres in 11 spruce-dominated peatland forest stands. A total of 381 standing spruce trees and 244 spruce stumps were examined for Heterobasidion infection. The fungus was isolated from 181 spruce trees (47.5%) and 43 stumps (17.6%). In total, 101 different Heterobasidion genotypes (genets) were identified (on average five genotypes per study plot). The average number of trees infected by a single Heterobasidion genotype was 2.2. Most of the genets (68.3%) had infected only one tree or stump while the rest of the genets (31.7%) had infected several trees and stumps. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the spread of Heterobasidion genotypes in peatland forest stands. To reduce losses caused by Heterobasidion root rot in spruce forests on drained peat soils, it is important to prevent primary spore infections as well as to avoid planting pure spruce stands with high density. Key words: Heterobasidion spp., genets, Picea abies, drained peat soil, spore infection, mycelium spread. Selon de nombreuses etudes anterieures, la prevalence de l'Heterobasidion dans les sols tourbeux est generalement plus faible comparativement aux sols mineraux. Toutefois, on a constate des dommages importants causes par le pourridie d'heterobasidion dans certains peuplements forestiers d'epinettes de Norvege (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) sur des sols tourbeux draines en Lettonie. Afin de determiner la propagation d'especes d'Heterobasidion sur des sols tourbeux, nous avons analyse la structure des genets d'Heterobasidion dans 20 placettes d'echantillonnage etablies dans 11 centres de lutte contre la maladie de peuplements de tourbieres forestieres dominees par les epinettes. Un total de 381 epinettes sur pied et de 244 souches d'epinettes ont ete examinees pour y detecter une infection d'Heterobasidion. Le champignon a ete isole sur 181 epinettes (47,5%) et 43 souches (17,6%). Au total, 101 genotypes (genets) differents d'Heterobasidion ont ete identifies (cinq genotypes en moyenne par placette d'echantillonnage). Le nombre moyen d'arbres infectes par un seul genotype d'Heterobasidion etait de 2,2. La plupart des genets (68,3%) avaient infecte un seul arbre ou une seule souche alors que le reste des genets (31,7%) avaient infecte de nombreux arbres et de nombreuses souches. A notre connaissance, ceci est la premiere etude qui vise a examiner la propagation des genotypes d'Heterobasidion dans des peuplements de tourbieres forestieres. Afin de reduire les pertes causees par le pourridie d'heterobasidion dans des forets d'epinettes sur des sols tourbeux draines, il est important de prevenir les infections primaires de spores de meme que d'eviter de planter des peuplements purement constitues d'epinettes avec une forte densite. [Traduit par la Redaction] Mots-cles : especes d'Heterobasidion, genets, Picea abies, sol tourbeux draine, infection des spores, propagation de mycelium., Introduction The economic losses caused by Heterobasidion root rot in Europe are estimated to be 790 million [euro] per year (Woodward et al. 1998). Damage caused by the fungus can [...]

Aija Klavina from the Latvian Academy of Sport Education (LASE) (Riga, Latvia) organized an interdisciplinary education conference entitled 'Interdisciplinary Approach In Promoting Participation Of Children With Functional Limitations In Education' [...]

Latvian Disabled Children and Youth Sport Federation (the LDCYSF or the Federation) has been providing physical activities and sport for children and young people with disabilities and special needs for [...]

Peer tutoring has been recognized as an effective inclusion strategy for many decades and widely used in integrated classroom settings (Ernst & Byra, 1999). Regarding physical education, peer tutoring programs [...]

Although attitudes toward people with disabilities in post soviet countries in Eastern Europe have changed during the last decade, many obstacles still have to be overcome to include students with [...]

Amanda is a 9-year-old child who is a 4th grader at University Heights Elementary School. Like her peers, Amanda's favorite food is pizza, favorite music is by Hillary Duff, and [...]

On the national holiday, the flags flew from the flagpoles, even I could see that from the hospital ward. The holiday passed like a shudder. A couple of intoxicated voices [...]

Each of us has a different fate. That's what Grandma told her grandson, little Charlie. He could hardly understand what she had said, for he was little. All he knew [...]

They say there is no God. That's not true. There is. And everybody's got one. There are craggy mountains on both sides. Once, two gods encountered each other here. The [...]

The Moon is a nice guy. I realized that right away, as soon as he arrived in town. He didn't go to the ear-splitting bar, but came to my house--climbed [...]

Summer shimmered like something about to overflow. Milk ran in streams. In the lakes and ponds, ducks fluttered around and the local boys went swimming in the raw. Among the [...]

It happened at school. During breaks. That's when all the grades, all sorts of faces, mix in the hallways. We were separated from the youngest kids of all. Starting with [...]