A Pilot Acceptability Study of an ‘AllPlay Pre-Learn’ Day Program to Facilitate Participation in Organised Physical Activity for Children with Disabilities

Abstract

In a mixed-methods design, the current study aimed to evaluate the acceptability of a junior Australian rules football program across two 'AllPlay Pre-Learn' days for children aged 5-11 years with disabilities, based on parent and child responses. Three online surveys were created by health professionals based on existing participation models. Surveys were completed by parents immediately before (n = 23), after the 'Pre-Learn' days (n = 15) and following the conclusion of the community version of the program (n = 13). Quantitative findings indicated significant improvements in child ratings around enjoyment of the sport. Qualitative analyses generated three themes around enjoyment in a low-stress environment; the education provided around the sport for parents/children; and, contemplation about playing the football program within their community. Four families (22% of the original attendees) went on to play the sport within a community setting. Despite acknowledged limitations, this study demonstrates preliminary evidence in support of an 'AllPlay Pre-Learn' day as a stepping stone to facilitate later participation in a football program within a child's community. Increased participation would allow children to experience the benefits associated with sport participation, such as motor and social skill development.

Physical Activity and Psychophysical Well-Being of Children With Disabilities and Their Families – A Systematic Review

“…ICF (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health) is an extensive tool for assessing the environmental and individual factors of people with disabilities. Jaarsma et al, 2015, Lee et al, 2015, Howells et al, 2019and Burak & Klavak, 2019 by using the ICF classification in their research projects, came to similar conclusions. The mechanism of intervention of the family environment influences individual factors, including the motivation to undertake AF in children with disabilities.…”

“…Creating proprietary programs (Mak et al, 2017;Romero, 2019;Forseth et al, 2019;Howells et al, 2019;Cook et al, 2015) is an individual mechanism aimed at facilitating the participation in AF and the sense of belonging of children with motor disabilities among a group of peers. Li et al, 2017 conclude that gender was important to the increase in MVPA.…”

“…A study's participants being aged above 20 years was an exclusion criterion. The authors state that it is worth doing research on a population of a similar age without a lot of discrepancies (Bloemen et al, 2017;Kalleson et al, 2019;Lauruschkus et al, 2015;Romero, 2019;Claridge et al, 2019;Howells et al 2019;Cook et al, 2015;Spencer-Cavaliere & Watkinson, 2010). A child physical and mental development is very intensive and really diverse when we take various developmental stages into consideration.…”

“…Mak et al, 2017, designed an original yoga-based program, "Mi Yoga", which aims to holistically approach integrating the everyday life of the child and their family through physical activity. Howells et al, 2019, used a project associated with soccer-"All Play Pre-Learn"-in order to create an initiative to help children with physical disability (cerebral palsy) through sports. The studied group experienced the benefits of doing sports and integrating with other disabled children, as well as healthy children.…”

“…A large study group influences the quality of the conducted statistical analyzes. A small group of researchers (Lauruschkus et al, 2015;Forseth et al, 2019;Howells et al, 2019;Spencer-Cavaliere & Watkinson, 2010;Capio et al, 2010), conducted research on a small group of respondents. A small number of respondents was associated with Cook et al, 2015 andHowells et al, 2019 with the proprietary program and the criteria for inclusion in the research program.…”