Promoting physical activity in an adolescent and a young adult with physical disabilities

We sought to describe the design of the Active Lifestyle and Sports Participation (ALSP) intervention for adolescents and young adults with physical disabilities, and to present the first 2 cases.

A 17-year-old boy with myelomeningocele and hydrocephalus and a 23-year-old woman with unilateral cerebral palsy were enrolled into the ALSP intervention, a personalized intervention designed to improve physical activity and fitness levels. Main outcome measures were self-reported physical activity and aerobic fitness. Fitness was determined by submaximal 6-minute walk or wheel test and by maximal cycle or arm ergometer-exercise test. Participants rated satisfaction with the intervention on a Likert-type numeric scale from 1 to 10.

Improvements in self-reported physical activity were 51% and 75% for the male and female participant, respectively. Respective improvements in submaximal exercise were 16% and 9%. Maximal exercise increased 39% in the male participant but did not increase in the female participant. Satisfaction with the intervention was rated moderate-good to excellent.

Data for the first 2 cases suggested that ALSP intervention seemed feasible to offer in an outpatient rehabilitation department, and the effectiveness may be promising. Future studies should determine the short- and long-term effectiveness of the intervention.