[Promoting exercise and sports in vocational rehabilitation of handicapped patients--a neglected aspect of rehabilitation?].

Directed primarily at preventive and compensatory objectives, sports activities in the framework of vocational education are intended to enhance essentially the physical and psychic well-being of the young people in later employment. They even involve goals that are pertinent to occupational qualification. The reality of motor promotion of disabled young trainees through sports, however, does look unfavorable.

[Sports and motor development in rehabilitation of the disabled in the South of France - report of a study visit (author's transl)].

Within the framework of a study visit conducted to prepare for a German-French student exchange programme, various schools for the disabled as well as medical and vocational rehabilitation facilities had been visited, located in the vicinity of Toulouse and Auch in the South of France. Our interest focussed on programmes for motor development and stimulaton. Although the provision of physical education in not stipulated in the educational curricula, and notwithstanding a rather unfavourable general situation, promising beginnings have been noted.

[The motor development of physically handicapped children as a central task of special education (author's transl)].

A physical disability is always the starting point of a life-long process the dynamics of which are determined by the autonomy of the biological and psychological maturation, as well as by social influences. The motor development of the physically handicapped child is related to its personality formation. Motor and behavioural deficiencies can worsen and produce long-term effects.

[The cologne riding course for the blind. Original information on a didactic-methodical approach (author's transl)].

Since November 1973 a riding course has been carried out with six blind adults. Due to the instructional methods the participants were able to ride independently, without an attendant, after only 30 hours. The effects of riding on the blind encompass coordination training and development of muscle strength.