Adapted sport and recreation summer camp: youth with physical disabilities, their parents and staff perspectives on psychosocial outcomes and physical activity participation
Date
2019-06-25
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Abstract
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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Keywords
physical activity, physical disabilities, youth, case study, qualitative, barriers, facilitators
Citation
Sandron, E. (2019). Adapted sport and recreation summer camp: youth with physical disabilities, their parents and staff perspectives on psychosocial outcomes and physical activity participation (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.