The website for the European Federation of Adapted Physical Activity (EUFAPA) can be found the following website;
Regional Representatives
2026-28 Debbie Van Biesen
Dr. Debbie Van Biesen is assistant professor in Adapted Physical Activity in a therapeutic context at the department of Rehabilitation Sciences (KU Leuven, Belgium). Her work sits at the intersection of research, clinical practice, and policy, with a strong focus on fostering inclusive and meaningful physical activity participation for individuals with disabilities.
She made a significant contribution to the development of evidence-based classification systems for elite athletes with intellectual disabilities, that led to their re-inclusion in the Paralympic Games. Her research unit was recognized by the International Paralympic Committee and by Virtus as the “Research and Development Center for Classification of Athletes with intellectual Impairment”.
Dr. Van Biesen has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed publications in in Adapted Physical Activity (APA). Her expertise extends beyond classification research, to include coaching para-athletes, psychosocial aspects of disability, and health-enhancing physical activity, using both qualitative and quantitative research methods. She also serves as coordinator of the Erasmus+ collaborative network IDEAL, fostering international cooperation to advance inclusive physical activity practices across Europe.
In additional to her academic role, she is actively involved in clinical practice at the rehabilitation centre of UZ Leuven, enhancing physical activity for patients with spinal cord injury and non-acquired brain injury. Furthermore, she is deeply committed to service and leadership, serving as President of the Centre for Adapted Sports (Leuven), editorial board member of APAQ, section editor for the European Journal of Adapted Physical Activity, academic consultant for G-sport Vlaanderen, and Clinical Director of Special Olympics Belgium.
2024-26 Sean Healy
2021-24 Piritta Asunta & Alba Roldan
2015-21 Kwok Ng
2011-15 Aija Klavina
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