Differences in Leisure Physical Activity Participation in Children with Typical Development and Cerebral Palsy
Fabio Vila-Nova1, Cristina Dos Santos Cardoso de Sá2, Raul Oliveira3
1Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
Aim:
To compare participation in leisure physical activities in children with typical development (TD) and cerebral palsy (CP).
Methods:
A total of 170 children with TD (n = 101) and CP (n = 69) aged 8 to 18 years reported participation in 16 extracurricular physical activities. Non-parametric statistics examined differences between groups.
Results:
Children with TD participated more frequently in individual physical activities (p = .018), team sports (p = .026), and bicycling (p = .001), and less in horseback riding (p = .031) than children with CP in GMFCS II-V. The differences between children with TD and CP in GMFCS I and within the CP group were not statistically significant. We did not find differences between groups in enjoyment.
Conclusion:
Children with CP in GMFCS II-V tend to participate less in leisure physical activities that require higher motor and perceptual skills. Support in the adaptation of physical recreation and sports may help improve participation.
