Browsing by Author "Legg, David"

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    Adapted Physical Activity Camps: Family Experiences and Implications for Family Relationships
    (2021-07-12) Youngblood, Jessica; McDonough, Meghan; Emery, Carolyn; Condliffe, Elizabeth; Legg, David
    Children with disabilities tend to be less active than typically developing children and barriers to participate in activities may cause strain on family relationships. Families caring for a child with a disability face higher levels of stress, burnout, and feelings of isolation. The purpose of this thesis was to better understand family members’ perspectives regarding family relationships as they relate to participation in an adapted summer camp for children and adolescents living with a disability. This thesis was informed by the Social Relational Model of Disability and Bowen’s Family Systems Theory. A constructivist epistemology and relativist ontology provided the foundation for two collective case studies examining interactions and relationships among families participating in adapted physical activity (PA) camps. The first study examined a camp where children and adolescents with disabilities have the opportunity to participate in a variety of adapted sports. The second study focused on a camp where children and adolescents with disabilities have the opportunity to participate in physical activities with their parents and siblings. In both studies, focus groups were conducted with each family at one time point with questions regarding their perceptions of their family relationships as they related to participation in the camps and their perspectives regarding the suspension of these recreation programs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Thematic analysis was conducted to identify themes and examine similarities and differences in the families’ reported experiences. While experiences in the two contexts varied, themes included family members’ perspectives regarding what the child living with a disability is able to achieve, conversations surrounding disability, support for managing daily stressors, an understanding of one another, shared experiences and memories, sibling bonding, and pride in the child with a disability. Families also noticed that the confidence and independence experienced by the child living with a disability was meaningful for interactions within their families. The loss of the camps due to COVID-19 was associated with families experiencing isolation, worry, and frustration. The findings from these studies can be used to better understand family members’ experiences regarding adapted PA as it relates to family relationships.
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    Adapted Sport and Recreation Camps: Examining Physical Activity, Self-Perceptions, and Motivations for Participation in Youth with Physical Disabilities
    (2022-01-27) Tremblay, Catherine; Emery, Carolyn; Condliffe, Elizabeth; Smirl, Jonathan; McDonough, Meghan; Legg, David
    Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine whether time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), self-perceptions, and motivation for participation in physical activity (PA) change following participation in a 5-day adapted sport and recreation (S&R) camp in youth aged 7-18 years with physical disabilities. Objectives: The first objective is to examine changes in weekly levels of MVPA in minutes in youth (ages 7-18 years) with a physical disability during, and at 6- and 12-months following participation in a 5-day adapted S&R camp compared to pre-camp MVPA. The second objective is to examine changes in self-perception and motivation for participation in PA in youth with a physical disability following a 5-day adapted S&R camp compared to pre-camp. Methods: This is a one-year longitudinal pre-experimental study that used Actigraphy to measure time spent in MVPA and used The Children’s Attraction to PA and the Self-Perception Profiles in Children measures to examine changes in self-perceptions and motivations for participating in PA. Data was collected pre-camp, during camp, and at 6- and 12-months post-camp. Results: Time spent in MVPA was higher during camp compared to pre-camp for children (z=-2.10; p=0.04) and adolescents (z=-2.31; p=0.03). This increase was not sustained at 6 months post-camp for both groups or at 12-months post-camp for the adolescent group (p>0.05). The children’s camp-group saw an increase in time spent in MVPA at 12-months post-camp relative to pre-camp (z=-2.02; p=0.04). Self-perceptions and attraction to physical activity did not meaningfully change on day 3, and 6-months and 12-months following participation in an adapted S&R camp. No apparent trends or patterns were seen based on individual level data. Conclusion: Time spent in MVPA, self-perceptions and attraction to PA in children did not change following participation in the adapted S&R camp. Future studies should consider a larger sample, a study design including a control group for comparison, and ways to improve psychosocial aspects when planning adapted S&R camps for youth with physical disabilities.
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    Adapted sport and recreation summer camp: youth with physical disabilities, their parents and staff perspectives on psychosocial outcomes and physical activity participation
    (2019-06-25) Sandron, Elysa; Emery, Carolyn; Condliffe, Elizabeth; Legg, David; McDonough, Meghan; Brunton, Laura
    Objectives: 1. To examine how an adapted sport and recreation (S&R) camp may facilitate a pathway to regular participation in physical activity (PA). 2. To assess the psychosocial benefits of an adapted S&R program from the perspective of youth with physical disabilities, their parents, and staff. Methods: Youth with physical disabilities participated in an adapted S&R camp designed to introduce adapted S&R programs offered in the community. Photography to stimulate conversation (youth), semi-structured interviews (17 youth, 4 staff) and focus groups were conducted (12 parents/guardians). Inductive thematic analysis was conducted. Results: Youth perspectives resulted in five themes; 1) comfort around others with disabilities, 2) improved social skills, 3) reframing of therapeutic exercises as sports and devices as sports equipment, 4) discovery of abilities, and 5) overcoming stigma. Parent and staff perspectives resulted in three themes pertaining to perceptions of benefits experienced by youth; 1) normalizing participation in sport and PA, 2) motivation to participate in PA and be independent in daily activities, and 3) empowerment and confidence. Three themes related to perceptions on guiding youth through a pathway to PA; 4) recognizing youth’s ability, 5) raising awareness of PA opportunities, and 6) relief from barriers. Conclusions: Findings suggest adapted S&R camps are a possible pathway supporting PA participation for youth with physical disabilities.
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    Cerebral Blood Flow, Fitness and Behaviour Changes With a High Intensity, Socially Engaging Physical Activity Program for Young Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder
    (2016) Wickenheiser, Hayley; Werthner, Dr. Penny; MacQueen, Dr. Glenda; Bray, Dr. Signe; Legg, David
    The effects of a moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) intervention on cerebral blood flow (CBF), fitness, and motor competence in young adults 18-35 with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) were examined. Thirteen male and female participants underwent a one-hour weekly supervised, and a 30 minute 3 x weekly unsupervised, MVPA intervention. Arterial spin labeling (ASL), fitness testing, and diagnostic measurements gauged changes in CBF, fitness, and behaviors respectively. Statistical significance (p<0.05) was found in the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS II) (pre mean=14.58, sd 4.38, n=12, post mean= 12.58, sd 4.17, n=12, p value=0.03) and wall sits (pre mean= 27.7s, sd 24.57, n=11, post mean= 42.3s, sd 23.98, n=11, p-value=0.04). CBF decreased insignificantly (p=0.62), and did not correlate with increases in NIRS (p=0.38) or aerobic fitness (p=0.30). The small increase in total Hb, using NIRS, suggests regional vs. global differences. The effectiveness of exercise in ASD requires more research.
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    Characterizing Sleep Patterns in Youth with CP and its Impact on Mood
    (2024-08-24) Sanguino, Hangsel D.; McMorris, Carly; Legg, David; Fehlings, Darcy; Schulte, Fiona
    Background. Cerebral palsy (CP) is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition characterized by limitations in movement and posture (Oskoui et al., 2013; Rosenbaum et al., 2007). There is a growing consensus that sleep difficulties are common and life-long in individuals with CP (Lélis et al., 2016; Newman et al., 2006; Simard-Tremblay et al., 2011). These difficulties encompass various aspects such as sleep duration, sleep quality, staying asleep, and experiencing more difficulty getting up in the morning (Lélis et al., 2016; Newman et al., 2006); however, much remains unknown about the specific sleep patterns in CP and whether they are distinct from those observed in other conditions such as autism or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). Additionally, the link between sleep and mood in CP is not well understood (Gadie et al., 2017). While in neurotypical youth, better sleep has been linked to improvements in social, emotional, and psychological well-being (e.g., mood), the extent to which sleep may impact mood within the context of CP remains uncertain (Hamilton et al., 2007). This manuscript-based thesis aims to address these significant gaps in knowledge by examining the sleep patterns in youth with CP and investigate the subsequent temporal association between sleep and mood. Methods. For this exploratory manuscript-based thesis, we analyzed secondary data from baseline questionnaires and weekly data (accelerometers and daily sleep diaries) collected from a larger study that examined the associations between physiological factors and mental health in youth with CP. In the first study, we investigated the sleep patterns of 45 youth with CP using caregiver and youth reports, the Child/Adolescent Sleep-Wake Scale (CSWS/ASWS), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and measurements from actigraphs that youth wore for one week. First, the sleep characteristics were described in relation to available demographic variables (e.g., sex, age, Gross Motor Functioning Classification System level [GMFCS]), using descriptive statistics. Second, to determine the impact of the presence of a mental health diagnosis on sleep patterns and problems, a hierarchical regression analyses was conducted. In the second study, we focused on a subsample of youth (n = 32) who had sufficient daily diaries of sleep and mood. In paper 2, the impact of intraindividual variability (IIV) in sleep patterns on mood (i.e., positive and negative affect) was examined using a series of fixed-effects multi-level modelling. Analyses included age, sex, and GMFCS as covariates as these factors contribute to sleep and mood. Results. In the first study of 45 youth, the average sleep duration was 10 hours per night (SD = 0:59), ranging from 7.5 to 12.85 hours. Youth experienced an average of 14 awakenings (>5 min) per night (SD = 5.3), which is substantially higher than previous literature in youth without CP. Most youth reported poor sleep quality based on sleep quality scores from the combined CSWS and ASWS (M = 3.67, SD = 1.24). Hierarchical linear regression analysis revealed a significant positive association between mental health diagnosis and insomnia severity, even after controlling for participant demographics (age, sex, GMFCS) (p = .010). For the second study, fixed-effect models were used to examine the association between IIV sleep duration and quality and next-day negative and positive affect over a 7-day period. While controlling for covariates, higher within-subjects variability of sleep quality was related to lower next-day negative mood (b = -.03, p < .001) and increased next-day positive mood (b = .05, p = .018). To determine the directionality of this association, mood variability predicting next day sleep was examined; however, only higher within-subject variability of negative mood was related to next-day sleep quality (b = -1.12, p = .011). Conclusions. This thesis is the first of its kind to examine the group and individual characteristics of sleep patterns among youth with CP (Study 1) and the temporal impact of IIV sleep on daily positive and negative affect (Study 2). Sleep is a complex phenomenon, and further investigation is necessary to understand the influence of various other factors, which were not available for this thesis. Nevertheless, sleep timing and sleep consistency may be important characteristics of sleep health. Overall, more research is needed to help inform prevention of mental health issues in this already vulnerable population and to help inform the development of supports for sleep.
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    “We’re stronger as a family”: Family experiences and relationships in an adapted physical activity camp
    (Elsevier, 2023-11-30) Youngblood, Jessica; McDonough, Meghan H.; Condliffe, Elizabeth G.; Legg, David; Emery, Carolyn A.
    Adapted recreation programs involving the entire family may offer ways to enhance relationships in families with a child living with a disability because they enable participating together in new and potentially empowering experiences. This study examined family members’ perspectives on their lived experiences with their relationships within their family and how they perceived they were affected by their participation in an adapted summer camp for families with a child living with a disability. We conducted a collective case study with five families who participated in a week-long camp. A focus group was conducted with each family and analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Participation in the camp impacted family relationships by reducing isolation for mothers; alleviating stress and anxiety which helped families bond; providing shared experience which led to mutual understanding, communication, and support; improving independence and confidence of the child living with a disability; facilitating sibling bonding and parent comfort with giving siblings more responsibility; and enhancing families’ confidence to participate in family activities beyond the camp. These findings elucidate how participation in this type of program can impact relationships in families that include a child living with a disability and inform future program design.