The benefits of physical activity (PA) for health are undisputed. Regular participation in PA improves physical and mental wellbeing and reduces the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Young people with physical disability do not achieve the recommended targets for PA, reduce PA participation in adolescence and have a higher prevalence of NCDs in adulthood. Participation in PA can be enhanced if adolescents are supported to engage in activities they choose and enjoy, but there are many contextual and environmental barriers with physical disability.
The aim of this study is to develop a profile of current participation in PA by adolescents with physical disability in Ireland and to understand adolescents’ priorities for future PA participation.
A national cross-sectional, mixed-methods study is proposed. One hundred adolescents aged 13-18 years with a confirmed diagnosis of non-progressive physical disability will be invited to participate through the Children’s Network Disability Teams across the nine Community Health Organisations in Ireland. Current participation will be measured through a bespoke questionnaire and a standardised patient-reported outcome measure for participation, the Children’s Activities and Enjoyment (CAPE) scale. Mobility (Functional Mobility Scale) and health-related quality of life (Child Health Utility 9D) will also be measured. A four-round Delphi survey will scope adolescents’ views of PA and their priorities to enable sustained participation, and determine consensus of their top 10 priorities for participation in PA. Design, implementation and dissemination will be supported by a Patient and Public Involvement panel.
Understanding adolescents’ priorities for PA participation will enable clinicians to incorporate their perspective into goal-setting. The top 10 priorities will be disseminated to influence policy and planning in enabling improved PA participation by adolescents in the community, so that adolescents can be supported to engage in activities they enjoy and gain the health benefits of PA.
