Global trends in evaluation methodology of physical activity for children and adolescents with disabilities

Abstract

Objective: Physical inactivity among children and adolescents with disabilities might increase the risk of serious health problems. The purpose of this study was to summarize an overview of international trends in the evaluation methodology of physical activity for children and adolescents with disabilities.

Methods: Literatures from 14 countries or jurisdictions that participated in “Global Matrix of Para Report Cards on Physical Activity of Children and Adolescents With Disabilities” were identified. Evidence to grade the overall physical activity levels in each country or jurisdiction was collected to summarize the evaluation methodology of physical activity for children and adolescents with disabilities.

Results: The Health Behaviour in School-aged Children (HBSC) questionnaire was used most frequently among the 11 countries or jurisdictions (5 countries, 45.5%). Many countries used questionnaires, including the HBSC questionnaire, that ask participants about “the number of days in which they achieved 60 minutes/day of moderate to vigorous physical activity” to evaluate their physical activity (8 countries or jurisdictions: 72.7%). Three countries and 1 jurisdiction (36.4%) assigned their grade of overall physical activity using both questionnaire and accelerometer.

Conclusion: The present study showed that the frequency of achieving 60 minutes/day of moderate to vigorous physical activity using a question or questionnaire (e.g., HBSC) was the most frequently used to evaluate the overall physical activity in children and adolescents with disabilities among 11 countries or jurisdictions.