Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 23, 2025
Measurements of Motor Function and Other Clinical Outcome Parameters in Ambulant Children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Published on: January 12, 2019
Participation in sports of Dutch children with lower limb deficiencies
Anka Michielsen1, Maxine van Es1, Olaf Verschuren2,3
1Department of Paediatric Rehabilitation, De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Purpose:
The primary aim was to describe sports participation of Dutch children and adolescents with lower limb deficiencies (LLD). The secondary aim was to explore perceived limitations concerning sports participation.
Methods:
A total of 103 children and adolescents with LLD, aged 8-18 years (mean 11.7 years), were asked about their sports participation using a study-specific self-report questionnaire.
Results:
Children and adolescents with LLD frequently (78%) participated in sports activities, and most of them (68%) participated in the sport of their preference. Just over half of all children (52%) perceived an inability to participate in specific sports. Physical performance (running) and endurance were mentioned as the most limiting factors in participating in certain sports.
Conclusion:
Children and adolescents with LLD in the Netherlands participate in a variety of sports. Despite dependency on lower limb prostheses in most cases, children and adolescents with LLD have a high potentiality of participating in sports.
