Unequal physical activity among children with cerebral palsy in Sweden—A national registry study

Abstract

Aim To examine the extent to which sex, country of birth, and functional aspects influence participation in physical education and physical leisure activity among children with cerebral palsy (CP) in Sweden. Methods This national cross‐sectional registry study included children with CP aged 6 to 18 years who participated in the Swedish national quality registry, the Cerebral Palsy Follow‐up Program, CPUP, in 2015. Comparisons and associations between sex, country of birth, and functional aspects and physical leisure/physical education were examined using chi‐squared and multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results The study included 1935 children. Of them, 1625 (87%) reported participating in physical education and 989 (53%) reported participating in physical leisure activity. Children born in Sweden had higher odds of participating in physical education (OR: 1.99; 95% CI: 1.20‐3.28) and physical leisure activity (OR: 2.51; 95% CI: 1.70‐3.72) compared with children born outside Europe. Greater impairment of gross motor function was associated with lower participation levels. Boys participated slightly more frequently in leisure activities than girls. Conclusion Enhancing social inclusion with regard to disability, birth country, and sex are important and achievable goals for policymakers and practitioners for promoting participation in physical activity for children and adolescents with CP.

Use of Frame Running for Adolescent Athletes With Movement Challenges: Study of Feasibility to Support Health and Participation

“…Provision of a program such as the one introduced in this study fills an important gap in options for physical activity. A study of almost 2,000 children with CP in Sweden (Degerstedt et al, 2021 ) found that while most (87%) participated in physical education class at school, barely half (58%) had physical leisure activity. International guidelines highlight the importance of exercise and muscle strengthening for CP (Damiano et al, 2021 ).…”

Attitudes and Behaviors of Physical Activity in Children with Cerebral Palsy: Findings from PLAY Questionnaire

“…Finally, one systematic review study evaluated young people with CP and concluded that their habitual physical activity was 13–53% lower than their TD peers [ 16 ]. However, in this systematic review, one of the six studies that had the most CP participants (N = 112) included all GMFCS levels (I–V), which might have influenced the lower physical activity outcome because an association between greater physical impairment and reduced physical activity level was reported in children with CP [ 19 ].…”