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Opportunities for Participation: A Mapping Review of Inclusive Physical Activity for Youth With Disabilities
1University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, and Hospital for Special Surgery, Pediatric Rehabilitation, New York, New York.
Introduction:
The purpose of this review is to map the literature regarding group-based inclusive and adapted physical activity opportunities for youth with disabilities, and to identify gaps in that literature.
Methods:
A comprehensive search was completed across 5 electronic databases. Inclusion criteria were for any study type with youth ages 3 to 21 years who participated in any adapted group-based physical activity program, or their caregivers.
Results:
A total of 30 studies were included from 13 countries, consisting of more than 15 types of physical activity. Levels of evidence ranged from 2b to 4 as per the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Levels of Evidence system.
Conclusions:
A small but growing body of evidence exists regarding group-based inclusive and adapted physical activity. A dearth of evidence exists for rurally residing programs and programs that include children with severe disabilities.
