Adapted Sport and Recreation Camps and Programs
Influence of Adapted Physical Activity Camps and Programs
We are working with the Calgary Adapted Hub and its 7 partners to evaluate programs run by this group that are either adapted, inclusive, or para sport, recreation, or physical activity.
Physical activity (PA) is important in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, yet accessible opportunities are slim for those with disabilities. PA is integral to children’s health, growth, fitness, and psychological wellbeing. Individuals with disabilities are more susceptible to chronic physical and psychosocial health conditions than typically developing youth. However, these conditions are not inevitable and participation in regular PA can reduce the risk of and/or ameliorate many of these problems. Factors contributing to low levels of participation in PA by youth with disabilities are complex, and may be due to environmental barriers, economic issues, social barriers, low self-esteem, and lack of information, transportation, trained staff, and a support system. The need for formal programs is of utmost importance for adolescents, as the number of available programs for youth declines with age, and adolescents are less likely to participate in inclusive environments due to social issues. An inclusive environment is one in which both typically developing youth and those with disabilities can participate. Social barriers are particularly important for adolescents, as cognitive development leads to increased awareness of differences in skills between typically developing children and those with disabilities.
Our goals are to investigate the impact of participating in a CAH partner program on:
- Physical activity levels
- Quality of Participation
- Quality of Life
- Self-perceptions of and attraction to physical activity
Study Partners
- Calgary Adapted Hub
- Vi Riddell Pediatric Rehabilitation Research Program
- University of Calgary Active Living
- Jumpstart
- Ares Pentathlon and Fencing Club
- braceworks
- Calgary Sledge Hockey Association
- Calgary Quidditch Club
- Dubasov Dance
- Osuna Karate
- Taking Strides
- Ultimate Wheelchair Sports Foundation
- University of Calgary Climbing Centre
- University of Calgary Gymnastics Club
- Wheelchair Sports Alberta
Who is participating?
You are eligible to take part if you are 4 to 25 years of age and participating in select programs at the University of Calgary, Mount Royal University, Repsol Sport Center, and WinSport.
A) Individuals with a disability taking part in the program,
B) Individuals who do not have a disability and are taking part in the program,
C) Individuals with a disability who for any reason are unable to take part in the program,
A parent of each youth participant will be asked to participate and complete a parent questionnaire. They may support their child in completing some participant questionnaires if their child is unable to complete them independently.
What are participants doing?
Participants will be asked to take part in 3 or 4 testing timepoints. Including a pre-/baseline measure, a 6-month, and a 12-month follow. A fourth timepoint may be collected during/or mid-way through a program.
At each timepoint participants will be asked to wear an ActiGraph watch for one week (7 days and nights) to learn how much time is spent sitting stationary, how much time is spent moving, and how much time is spent moving at higher intensities. Participants will also be asked, at each timepoint, to complete 5 surveys: the Children’s Attraction to Physical Activity scale, the Self-Perception Profile for Children Questionnaire, a Physical Activity and Demographics Questionnaire, the EQ-5D (Quality of Life), and the MeEAP and Building Blocks Questionnaire (Quality of Participation). A parent will be asked to complete the CarerQoL (parent Quality of Life) questionnaire at each timepoint.