Open Collections

Jevdjevic, Aleksandra

University of British Columbia

Introduction: This study aims to explore the physical activity (PA) levels and quality participation experiences of children with physical and/or sensory disabilities during physical education (P.E.) classes. Little is known about how these children interact with their school environment and engage in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in various settings. Understanding the participation levels and experiences can help develop inclusive PA programs for children with disabilities. Objectives: 1) To measure the daily amount of PA among children with physical and/or sensory disabilities; 2) To measure the amount of where and in what type of settings they have organized P.E. activities; 3) To describe their participation experiences during P.E. classes. Methods: The research uses a mixed-method approach, combining accelerometry and semi-structured interviews with both the children and parents/guardians. Accelerometers were used to capture moderate-to-vigorous physical activity levels (MVPA) overall, at school and during P.E. during a 7-day period. The follow-up interviews inquired about the content of P.E. activities and the experiences of participation or non-participation. Results: The study included 11 participants, with 45% having sensory disabilities and 55% having physical disabilities. On average, children engaged in 34.48 minutes of MVPA per day. During school time, they participated in 21.28 minutes of MVPA, while a typical 48-minute P.E. class had an average of 5.45 minutes of MVPA. The interviews identified both negative and positive elements of quality participation during P.E. classes. Conclusion: The study findings highlight the diverse experiences and perspectives of children with disabilities in their P.E. participation. These insights may guide educational institutions and policymakers in prioritizing and supporting P.E. for children with disabilities and fostering an inclusive and supportive environment that enhances their overall development and quality participation.

Text

2023-08-17

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International

http://hdl.handle.net/2429/85506

Health and Exercise Sciences

University of British Columbia

UBCO

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/