Motor Activity Training Program Proposal

MATP (Motor Activity Training Program) is a Special Olympics sports program designed for athletes with severe, profound and multiple intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who have high support needs. The new MATP Healthy Athletes protocol will integrate health screening with inclusive sport to better address unique health challenges in this group. The evidence-based protocol will target risk factors related to the “fatal five” causes of preventable death: aspiration, dehydration, infection, bowel obstruction, and seizures as well as other comorbidities and risk factors prevalent in this population.

As with the Special Olympics’ existing Healthy Athletes model, the screening will offer referrals for additional assessments and care where indicated, as well as provide important health education to both

athletes and their caregivers. By combining health screening with sport, this protocol will improve prevention and strengthen the role of sport in promoting holistic health and empowerment worldwide for this population.

Special Olympics is seeking a consultant (individual or organization) to create an evidence-based MATP Healthy Athletes protocol toolkit, that supports clinical directors to successfully deliver the MATP Healthy Athletes screening alongside MATP sport events.

To achieve this, specific responsibilities and deliverables include:

• Review findings from the regional consultations on the complex health needs of MATP athletes and awareness of the ‘fatal five’ with MATP coaches, family members and caregivers.
• Conduct a thorough literature review of existing validated screening tools and evidence for screening priorities in individuals with IDD with high support
• Conduct a review into the importance of movement for people with profound disabilities linked to physical and mental health, and quality of life – aligned to inactivity and use of movement for regulation.
• Conduct up to 5 interviews with internal stakeholders to determine feasibility and constraints associated with existing and future screenings

• Create an outline for the MATP Healthy Athletes Protocol This outline should include:
  • Proposed signs, symptoms and underlying conditions or risk factors to screen for
  • Recommended tools or parts of tools to apply (instruments should be cited) in the screening
  • Key aspects that would indicate referrals
  • Key aspects to include with respect to caregiver and athlete education
• Present this to SOI and the Global Faculty Advisory Panel for MATP Healthy Athletes for review.
• The outline must be approved by SOI and the Advisory Panel before the protocol development begins.
• With Global Faculty Advisory Panel for MATP Healthy Athletes, review existing and/or develop new measures to be included in pilot protocol.
• Develop the new MATP Healthy Athletes protocol toolkit, which should include:
  • Healthy Athletes System (HAS) for each new area of the MATP Healthy Athletes screening. The Healthy Athletes System (HAS) 2.0 goals are

to:

• Identify risk factors of chronic health conditions
• Evaluate the need for a referral for follow-up
• Connect athletes to care in their communities
• Provide restorative health services
• Educate athletes and carers on basic preventive health behaviors
• Refer & connect athletes to tailored quality care
• Create accompanying guidelines and recommendations for each area of the new MATP HA screening
• SOI and Advisory Panel will receive at least two cycles of review to provide feedback and edits
• Attend two pilot events in two separate Regions, to understand application successes and challenges of the draft protocol in different geographical contexts (travel costs to be covered by Special Olympics)

Make adjustments to the protocol based on the pilots and feedback from the Advisory Panel

Consultant will begin work in February 2026 (exact date to be determined based on selection process and paperwork finalization). The contract will end February 1, 2027, by which time all deliverables must be completed. Deliverables are due on the following…