Modified sports intervention for improving participation goals and activity competence in ambulant children with...

To evaluate the effectiveness of a modified sports intervention (Sports Stars Brazil) on leisure-time physical activity participation goals, motor skill performance and capacity, body functions, physical activity levels, physical literacy, and overall participation in ambulant children with cerebral palsy (CP).

In this randomized controlled trial, 38 ambulant children with CP (21 males, 17 females; ages 6-12 years) were randomly assigned to either the intervention or control group. The intervention group participated in eight weekly 1-hour sessions of modified sports, focused on group-based motor skill training and introduction to popular Brazilian sports. The control group received their usual physical therapy. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, postintervention, and after 12 weeks. Linear mixed models were used for analysis.

Sports Stars Brazil was more effective than usual care in improving leisure-time physical activity participation and motor performance, both postintervention and at follow-up. Groups showed similar outcomes in motor capacity, physical literacy, body functions, physical activity levels, and overall participation immediately postintervention. At 12-week follow-up, the Sports Stars group showed greater improvements in motor capacity and moderate to vigorous physical activity.

Sports Stars Brazil is a promising, low-cost intervention for promoting participation and motor skills in children with CP, particularly in low-resource settings.