A community-based physical activity intervention (FitSkills) can improve participation attendance of young people...

To determine the effect on participation attendance (being there) and involvement (experience of participation) compared with usual activities of a community gym-based physical activity intervention (FitSkills) for young people with disability.

An assessor-blinded stepped wedge cluster randomised trial was completed involving 163 participants with self-identified disability (61 female; mean age 19), 123 mentors and 11 sites randomised to four groups. Participant and mentor pairs exercised together two times a week for 12 weeks. The primary outcomes were participation attendance and involvement, and health-related quality of life measured by five questionnaires (Adolescent Physical Activity Recall; Adolescent Sedentary Activity; Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment; Participation and Environment Measure Children and Youth (PEM-CY); Child Health Utility 9D). The secondary outcomes were participation preferences, walking capacity, attitudes to exercise, physical activity and well-being (life satisfaction). Data were analysed using linear mixed-effects models.

Immediately after the intervention, there was an increase in participation attendance, measured in terms of the number of different physical activities participated in (0.8 activities, 95% CI 0.4 to 1.1); and frequency (how often activities were performed) for one outcome, the PEM-CY (0.2 units, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.4). There was an increase in time spent doing physical activities (23%, 95% CI 4% to 46%), but no change in sedentary time (3%, 95% CI -6% to 12%). Analysis of time-averaged effects up to 15 months after the intervention showed an increase in the number of physical activities (1.0 activities, 95% CI 0.4 to 1.6) only. There was no change in the primary outcomes of participation involvement (ie, experience of participation) or health-related quality of life immediately after the intervention, or across time.

A student-mentored community-gym-based physical activity intervention increased self-reported physical activities in the intermediate term but did not change health-related quality of life in young people with disability.

ACTRN12617000766314.