To determine the physical literacy, defined as the capability for a physically active lifestyle, of children with medical conditions compared with healthy peers, this multicenter cross-sectional study recruited children with medical conditions from cardiology, neurology (including concussion), rheumatology, mental health, respirology, oncology, hematology, and rehabilitation (including cerebral palsy) clinics. Participants aged 8-12 years (N=130; mean age: 10.0±1.44 years; 44% female) were randomly matched to three healthy peers from a normative database, based on age, sex, and month of testing. Total physical literacy was assessed by the Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy, a validated assessment of physical literacy measuring physical competence, daily behavior, knowledge/understanding, and motivation/confidence. Total physical literacy mean scores(/100) did not differ (t(498)=-0.67; p=0.44) between participants (61.0±14.2) and matched healthy peers (62.0±10.7). Children with medical conditions had lower mean physical competence scores (/30; -6.5 [-7.44, -5.51]; p<0.001) but higher mean motivation/confidence scores (/30; 2.6 [1.67, 3.63]; p<0.001). Mean daily behavior and knowledge/understanding scores did not differ from matches (/30; 1.8 [0.26, 3.33]; p=0.02; /10; -0.04 [-0.38, 0.30]; p=0.81; respectively). Children with medical conditions are motivated to be physically active but demonstrate impaired movement skills and fitness, suggesting the need for targeted interventions to improve their physical competence.
Novelty bullets:
• Physical literacy in children with diverse chronic medical conditions is similar to healthy peers
• Children with medical conditions have lower physical competence than healthy peers, but higher motivation and confidence
• Physical competence (motor skill, fitness) interventions, rather than motivation or education, are needed for these youth