A design-based research study of a kinesthetic intelligence- and adversity quotient-based curriculum for student-athletes’ dual careers

Journal of Educational and Learning Studies October 19, 2026 Volume 9, Number 2 3 authors

Abstract

Special Sports Classes (SSC) at the high school level face challenges in balancing academic and athletic achievement due to the dual demands placed on student-athletes. This study aims to examine curriculum implementation, kinesthetic intelligence development, and Adversity Quotient (AQ) coaching to propose an integrated curriculum model. A qualitative multisite case study was conducted at SMAN 1 Sewon, MAN 2 Yogyakarta, and SMAS Muhammadiyah 7 Yogyakarta. Participants were selected purposively based on their involvement in SSC implementation, including school principals or program coordinators, teachers, sports coaches, and student-athletes. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, observations, and document analysis and were analyzed thematically through coding, categorization, and cross-site comparison to identify patterns and contextual differences. The findings reveal an 8.19-point gap in academic scores between SSC and regular students, alongside the absence of a dedicated SSC curriculum. Kinesthetic intelligence development remains predominantly practice-oriented, while AQ coaching emerges informally through spiritual traditions and competitive pressures. Based on these findings, this study proposes a conceptual model of the Kinesthetic–Adversity Quotient (KK-AQ) curriculum, grounded in embodied cognition and the CO2RE framework. The proposed model suggests the potential to integrate academic learning, kinesthetic development, and adversity resilience within a coherent curriculum. This study contributes a conceptual foundation for curriculum development aimed at supporting student-athletes in pursuing athletic excellence while strengthening their academic resilience.

Authors

  1. Eko Mulyadi

    Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Yogyakarta

  2. Ishafit Ishafit

    Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Yogyakarta

  3. Hendro Widodo

    Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Yogyakarta

Keywords

Special sports classesIntegrated curriculumKinesthetic intelligenceAdversity quotientEmbodied cognition

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