Differences in participation across physical activity contexts between adolescents with and without disability over three years: a self-determination theory perspective

Exploring Physical Activity in Children and Adolescents with Disabilities: A Bibliometric Review of Current Status, Guidelines, Perceived Barriers, and Facilitators and Future Directions

BACKGROUND

Physical activity contributes to both physiological and psychosocial benefits for children and adolescents with disabilities. However, the prevalence of physical inactivity is notably higher among disabled young people compared to their healthy peers. Despite this, there is a lack of constructed knowledge structure, evolutionary path, research hotspots, and frontiers in studies related to physical activity in young people with disabilities.

METHODS

The literature related to the research of physical activity in children and adolescents with disabilities was retrieved from the core collection of the Web of Science. The annual publication numbers and the timing, frequency, and centrality of the co-occurrence network with respect to journals, countries, institutions, authors, references, and keywords were analyzed. Additionally, clustering analysis and burst analysis were performed on the references and keywords. All analyses were conducted using CiteSpace.

RESULTS

A total of 1308 related articles were included. The knowledge structure of research on the physical activity of disabled children and adolescents, including annual publication numbers, influencing journals, countries, institutions, authors, references, and keywords along with their respective collaborative networks, has been constructed. Furthermore, the research foundation, current hot topics, and research frontiers have been identified by analyzing references and keywords.

CONCLUSIONS

Current research hotspots include interventions, therapies, and programs aimed at enhancing specific skills, as well as addressing the satisfaction of competence to improve motivation and the effectiveness of physical activity. There is also a focus on the development of scales for quantitative studies. Future directions may be toward personalized interventions or programs to enhance physical activity levels among youth with disabilities.

How can we reach long-lasting inclusive participation for all? A vision for the future

In 2022, an international conference was held focusing on 'participation'. We shared current evidence, identified knowledge gaps and worked together to understand what new knowledge and community and practice changes were needed. This brief communication is a summary of the conference delegates' discussions. We present the key assumptions we make about participation and propose what is needed to create change for societies, communities, families and individuals. While we have some robust evidence to support participation approaches, more is needed, and it is everyone's responsibility to build an inclusive society where participation for all is the reality.

Empowering motivation: the journey of wheelchair basketball athletes to overcome constraints

Introduction

The aim of this phenomenological study is to determine the motivational factors in the participation of wheelchair basketball players in sports according to Self-Determination Theory.

Methods

The study group of the research was determined by the criterion sampling method, which is one of the purposeful sampling methods. Accordingly, thirteen (13) wheelchair athletes constituted the study group. In the research, a personal information form and a semi-structured interview form were prepared as data collection tools within the framework of the self-determination theory. Interviews were conducted face-to-face with the prepared interview forms. The data were analyzed by reflexive thematic analysis method.

Results

Six (6) themes emerged: constraints, coping strategies, appreciation, positive feedback, need for existence, and development. Sixteen sub-themes related to these themes were identified.

Conclusion

The most significant factors causing a lack of motivation in wheelchair basketball athletes were observed to be structural constraints such as access to materials and facilities. Extrinsic sources of motivation were identified as the positive attitudes and behaviors of individuals in their environment, often related to admiration, appreciation, and being set as an example, and this situation has a positive impact on wheelchair basketball athletes. On the other hand, it can be stated that intrinsic motivations such as identity change, gaining self-confidence, and the feeling of success are crucial in overcoming constraints through sports participation.

Improving Social Isolation and Loneliness Among Adolescents With Physical Disabilities Through Group-Based Virtual Reality Gaming: Feasibility Pre-Post Trial Study

BACKGROUND

Adolescents with disabilities experience alarmingly higher rates of depression and isolation than peers without disabilities. There is a need to identify interventions that can improve mental health and isolation among this underserved population. Innovations in virtual reality (VR) gaming "standalone" headsets allow greater access to immersive high-quality digital experiences, due to their relatively low cost.

OBJECTIVE

This study had three purposes, which were to (1) examine the preliminary effects of a low-cost, home-based VR multiplayer recreation and socialization on depression, socialization, and loneliness; (2) quantify the acceptability of the program as measured by participant adherence, total play time, and exercise time; and (3) identify and describe behavioral mechanisms that affected participant engagement.

METHODS

This was a single-group, pre- to postdesign trial. The intervention was conducted at home. Participants were recruited from a children's hospital. The intervention lasted 4 weeks and included 2×1-hour sessions per week of supervised peer-to-peer gaming. Participants used the Meta Quest 2 headset to meet peers and 2 coaches in a private party held digitally. Aim 1 was evaluated with the Children's Depression Inventory 2 Short Form and the University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale 20 items, which are measures of social isolation and loneliness, respectively. Aim 2 was evaluated through the following metrics: participant adherence, the types of games played, friendship building and playtime, and program satisfaction and enjoyment.

RESULTS

In total, 12 people enrolled (mean age 16.6, SD 1.8 years; male: n=9 and female: n=3), and 8 people completed the program. Mean attendance for the 8 participants was 77% (49 sessions of 64 total possible sessions; mean 6, SD 2 sessions). A trend was observed for improved Children's Depression Inventory 2 Short Form scores (mean preintervention score 7.25, SD 4.2; mean postintervention score 5.38, SD 4.1; P=.06; effect size=0.45, 95% CI -0.15 to 3.9), but this was not statistically significant; no difference was observed for University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale 20 items scores. Most participants (7/8, 88%) stated that they became friends with a peer in class; 50% (4/8) reported that they played with other people. Participants reported high levels of enjoyment and satisfaction with how the program was implemented. Qualitative analysis resulted in 4 qualitative themes that explained behavioral mechanisms that determined engagement in the program.

CONCLUSIONS

The study findings demonstrated that a brief VR group program could be valuable for potentially improving mental health among adolescents with physical disabilities. Participants built friendships with peers and other players on the web, using low-cost consumer equipment that provided easy access and strong scale-up potential. Study findings identified factors that can be addressed to enhance the program within a larger clinical trial.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05259462; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05259462.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

RR2-10.2196/42651.

Validation of the Perceptions of Inclusion Questionnaire including PE Teachers’ Opinion as Part of an Innovative Use of the Tool

The aim of the study was to validate the Polish version of the Perceptions of Inclusion Questionnaire (PIQ) for the first time. The analysis included not only pupils, parents/legal guardians, and teachers but also physical education teachers, which is an innovative solution proposed by the authors. The sample consisted of 448 respondents. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the tested model corresponding to the construct proposed by the PIQ authors did not have good fit indicators (χ2/df = 7.73; CFI = 0.855; SRMR = 0.103; RMSEA = 0.123). The three-factor structure of the questionnaire was confirmed by the eigenvalues obtained for each extracted factor based on the Kaiser criterion and the scree plot based on the Cattella criterion. All three factors showed satisfactory levels of reliability (Cronbach’s alpha > 0.7). The conditions of convergent and discriminant validity for the construct were confirmed. However, Horn’s parallel analysis showed that the optimal number of factors is 4. Therefore, the research presented here should constitute a starting point for further analyses. It is recommended that research teams should conduct further scientific exploration of the PIQ tool in four perspectives, i.e., including PE teachers’ opinions.

A-ONE - an accessible online nutrition & exercise program for youth with physical disabilities

BACKGROUND

Pediatric disability prevalence has increased to 17.8% in recent years. This youth population faces a range of individual, social, and environmental level barriers to a healthy lifestyle. This is particularly concerning because this population is at a higher risk of obesity and lifestyle-related morbidity and mortality. Therefore, A-ONE: An Accessible and Online Nutrition & Exercise Program was designed to provide a comprehensive and holistic online program for youth with physical disabilities.

METHODS

A-ONE will offer two individualized fitness workouts and one accessible cooking session per week for 16-weeks. In addition, A-ONE will offer one social-mentoring session per week. All programming (4 sessions per week) will occur during after-school hours. The program will be offered 6 times during the 2-year grant period, enrolling 10 youth per cohort, for a total of 60 youth with physical disabilities. Outcomes to be examined include physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, independent meal preparation, quality of life, and self-efficacy. They will be assessed pre, post, and 4-weeks following the end of the program. Program fidelity and feasibility will also be assessed.

CONCLUSION

While children with physical disabilities benefit from opportunities to engage in physical activity and nutrition, accessible programming is unavailable. Despite decades of disability rights legislation mandating access to equal education, there is still a lack of system level solutions to improve the health inequity for youth experiencing disabilities. This program represents a sustainable and scalable way to remove barriers and improve the trajectories of health among youth with a physical disability.