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Aim: To understand the attitudes, barriers, and facilitators to physical activity participation for young people and adults with childhood-onset physical disability., Method: Seven electronic databases (Embase, MEDLINE, PsychINFO, AMED, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and ERIC) were searched to November 2019. English language studies were included if they investigated attitudes, barriers, or facilitators to physical activity for young people (≥15y) or adults with childhood-onset physical disabilities. Two reviewers applied eligibility criteria and assessed methodological quality. Data were synthesized in three stages: (1) thematic analysis into descriptive themes, (2) thematic synthesis via conceptual framework, and (3) an interpretive synthesis of the thematic results., Results: Nineteen studies were included. Methodological quality varied, with only four qualitative studies and one quantitative study meeting all quality items. An overarching theme of 'finding the right balance' emerged. Six subthemes relating to capability, opportunity, and motivation contributed to physical activity participation being seen as 'the right fit' or 'all too hard'. The interpretive synthesis found social connections, social environment support, and an appropriate physical environment were essential to 'finding the right balance' to be physically active., Interpretation: Physical activity participation for young people and adults with childhood-onset physical disabilities is primarily influenced by the social and physical environment. What this paper adds Physical activity participation for young people and adults with childhood-onset physical disabilities is primarily influenced by environmental factors. 'Finding the right balance' between enabling and inhibitory factors was important to physical activity participation being perceived as 'the right fit'. The opportunity for social connection is an important motivator for physical activity participation for young people and adults. The physical environment continues to act as a barrier to physical activity participation for those with physical disabilities., (© 2021 Mac Keith Press.)

Aim: The actions and behaviors of parents have been identified as key factors that influence a child's participation in physical activity. However, there is limited knowledge of how parents can be supported to embody facilitative roles. This study aimed to explore how an ecological intervention encourages parents of children with disabilities to develop as facilitators, to enable ongoing physical activity participation in a child's local environment., Methods: A qualitative design using grounded theory was employed. Forty four parents (26 mothers, 18 fathers) of 31 children with a range of disabilities (mean age 12y 6m (SD 2y 2m); 18 males) partaking in the Local Environment Model intervention at Beitostolen Healthsports Centre in Norway participated in the study. Data were derived from the triangulation of semi-structured interviews and participant observation. Data analysis was an iterative approach of constant comparison, where data collection, memo writing, open, axial and selective coding analysis, were undertaken simultaneously. Findings were consolidated into a model describing the central phenomenon and its relationship to other categories., Results: Thematic concepts uncovered in this study describe a social process of parent learning and empowerment, comprising three primary components; (i) active ingredients of the intervention that enabled learning and empowerment to transpire, (ii) parent learning and empowerment as a process, and (iii) related outcomes., Conclusion: A family-centered approach, encompassing family-to-family support, may enhance physical activity participation outcomes for children and youth with disabilities.

Background: There is a paucity of research demonstrating the optimisation and maintenance of participation outcomes following physical activity interventions for children and youth with disabilities., Aim: To evaluate changes in physical activity participation in children with disabilities following a goal-directed, family-centred intervention at a healthsports centre, and to identify factors influencing participation following the intervention., Methods and Procedures: A mixed methods pre-test post-test cohort design was applied. Recruitment occurred over a 12 month period during standard clinical service provision. The Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM) was administered to children and parents pre (T1) and post-intervention (T2), and at 12 weeks follow-up (T3). Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) was applied to assess outcomes at 12 weeks follow-up (T2-T3). Qualitative inquiry described barriers to goal attainment at T3., Outcomes and Results: Ninety two children with a range of disabilities (mean age 11.1yr; 49 males) were included in the study. Statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements in parent ratings of COPM performance and satisfaction of participation goals were observed following intervention. Ratings at 12 weeks follow-up remained significantly higher than baseline, and 32% of children attained their COPM-derived GAS goal. Environmental factors were the most frequent barrier to goal attainment following intervention., Conclusion and Implications: These results provide preliminary evidence for goal-directed, family-centred interventions to optimise physical activity participation outcomes for children with disabilities., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Identify and prioritise strategies to optimise physical activity participation in the community gym setting for young adults with cerebral palsy. An e-Delphi method was implemented over three rounds with four stakeholder groups (young adults with cerebral palsy, their families, gym staff or exercise professionals, and health professionals). Strategies for change were identified by the stakeholders in round 1. In rounds 2 and 3, strategies for change were rated on the importance for implementation using a 7-point Likert scale (1 being lowest importance, 7 being highest). The consensus was achieved if ≥70% of participants identified a strategy as high importance. Seventy participants (20 young adults 10 family members, 21 health professionals, and 19 exercise professionals) identified 83 strategies for improving gym participation. Of these, 44 strategies met the consensus criteria. The highest priority strategies related to changing the physical environment, addressing cost barriers, gym staff training, and developing partnerships between sectors. Addressing physical accessibility, cost of attendance and the skills of gym staff were agreed upon by the stakeholder groups as priority areas for future resource allocation and research translation. Clinicians and community leisure facilities must work with consumers to implement strategies in their local contexts. The physical environment, gym staff training, and the cost of attendance are the priority areas for future interventions agreed on by key stakeholder groups Health professionals can facilitate community participation by partnering with the recreation and research sectors to create pathways to gym exercise Health professionals can play a role in developing the knowledge, skills and confidence of gym staff to support young people with cerebral palsy in the gym When implementing 1:1 social support in community gym settings, consider the preferences of young adults and the resources available [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to define the active ingredients of a participation-focused physical activity intervention for children and youth with disabilities. An ethnographic approach was employed, triangulating participant observation, interviews and focus groups. Participant recruitment occurred through purposive sampling of staff employed at Beitostolen Healthsports Centre (BHC), and paediatric service providers visiting the centre. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded together with observation data. Secondary coding linked data to corresponding categories of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health: Child and Youth version. Thirteen staff from BHC and 7 paediatric service providers participated in the study. Fourteen active ingredients were identified and were characterised at the level of the intervention (k = 8), the organisation (k = 4), and the individual (k = 2). Within the ingredients, 53 unique ICF-CY categories were identified. Twenty-six categories belonged to the ICF-CY component of "environment," and 26 categories to "activities and participation." No categories related to "body functions" or "body structures." The role of the environment, and specifically support and relationships, may be an essential consideration for enabling physical activity participation. Outcomes may guide program design and implementation to promote and sustain physical activity behaviours for children and youth with disabilities. The active ingredients identified in this study may guide the design and implementation of programs to promote and sustain physical activity behaviours of children and youth with disabilities. Leadership qualities and strength-based attitudes may be key characteristics of organisational practice that optimise outcomes for children and families. A "relationship-centred" approach, i.e., a network of children, families, health professionals, peers, mentors, and services in the community, may support children and young people with disabilities to achieve their physical activity participation goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate feasibility of scaling up a 12-week community-based exercise program (FitSkills) in which young people with disability exercise with a student mentor. Within a stepped wedge cluster randomised trial, seven domains of feasibility were assessed: demand, implementation, acceptability, practicality, adaptation, integration, and expansion. Of the 163 participants with disability (61 females; 20.8 ± 5 y) and 226 mentors who enrolled, 123 participants and mentors completed FitSkills. Population demand was estimated at 9% of members of participating organisations. Most participants (76%) completed the twice-weekly program within 12 weeks, attending 79% of sessions (mean 18.9 ± 4.7). Key program elements valued by participants were the mentor, tailored exercise, and regular program schedule. Majority (87%) of mentors were recruited from physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and exercise science courses. Positives for participants were perceived benefits and organisational support, and for mentors, understanding disability. Communication and scheduling were burdens. Three serious and 28 non-serious adverse events occurred. Adaptations (additional screening, risk analysis, extra mentor support, or in-person consultation) enabled 29 young people with complexity to participate. The number of trial sites was expanded to 11 to accommodate participants. Scaling-up FitSkills is feasible, but with caveats related to communication, scheduling, and efficiency of recruitment. Key elements valued by participants as part of the successful scale-up of a community-based exercise program (FitSkills) across a large metropolitan city included a peer-mentor, tailored exercise, and organisational support structure. FitSkills can be adapted to include young people with complex disability with additional supports including screening, risk analysis, and professional support for the peer-mentor. The benefits of FitSkills, including social connectedness for young people with a disability and normalisation of disability for mentors, outweigh the burdens of participation. Communication with program organisers and scheduling logistics between the young person, their family/carers and peer mentors are important factors to manage for the successful implementation of FitSkills. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]