Adapted Sport and Recreation Camps: Examining Physical Activity, Self-Perceptions, and Motivations for Participation in Youth with Physical Disabilities
Date
2022-01-27
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Abstract
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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Keywords
adapted sport, adapted sport and recreation, physical disabilities, youth, adapted, self-perception, attraction to physical activity
Citation
Tremblay, C. (2022). Adapted Sport and Recreation Camps: Examining Physical Activity, Self-Perceptions, and Motivations for Participation in Youth with Physical Disabilities (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.