“WOT” Do We Know and Do About Physical Activity of Children and Adolescents With Disabilities? A SWOT-Oriented Synthesis of Para Report Cards

Abstract

The purpose was to synthesize information gathered from the interpretation and conclusion sections of the Global Matrix of Para Report Cards on the physical activity of children and adolescents with disabilities. The synthesis was based on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats framework. The procedure consisted of three stages: (a) the application of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health as the theoretical framework; (b) identifying and aligning Global Matrix indicators and benchmarks with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health components through a Delphi approach; and (c) using content analysis to identify themes from specific report cards. Outcomes reveal that further attention toward including children and adolescents with disabilities in fitness assessments is needed as well as adapted assessment methods. Program availability, equipment and facilities, and professional training emerged as strengths but need further development to overcome weaknesses. Paralympic inspiration was an opportunity, whereas extreme weather conditions presented potential threats to physical activity participation among children and adolescents with disabilities.

Physical Activity Para Report Card for Children and Adolescents With Disabilities in Lithuania

“…Rehabilitation activities were supported by parents and may have been included in the Family & Peers indicator, but it could also be part of the Overall PA indicator. These types of data were not included in the Para Report Card, and clearer explanations for future report card benchmarks are needed because active therapy sessions are specific among CAWD (Hutzler et al, 2023).…”

Global Matrix of Para Report Cards on Physical Activity of Children and Adolescents With Disabilities

“…For measuring Physical Fitness in CAWD, Tomkinson's norms are not suitable (Király et al, 2019). Adapted physical fitness tests, such as the Brockport test, are available, and the benchmark was designed to encourage reports of adapted physical fitness tests (Hutzler et al, 2023). To address this issue, a note was placed in the benchmarking tool: "Note: Where normative values have not been published for a specific impairment/disability group, outline what has been modified and which tests were used (i.e., Brockport, etc.).…”

“…Valid and reliable fitness testing among CAWD presents significant complexities that make large-scale assessment challenging. This is a major weakness of the current Physical Fitness indicator (Hutzler et al, 2023).…”

“…The interest group members could comment on the grades, and this may have led to changes for the grades per indicator. This coproduction or verification aspect was meant to encourage debate between practice, research, and policy and, in most cases, explored the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the Para Report Cards (Hutzler et al, 2023).…”

Results From Spain’s 2022 Para Report Cards on Physical Activity of Children and Adolescents With Disabilities

“…Furthermore, the lack of a general discussion group meeting with the participation of all members at the same time was another limitation that should be addressed in future editions. To improve this report, it is necessary to expand the SWOT analysis to the general promotion of PA in Spanish CAWD, and it is required to include insights from a larger number of relevant stakeholders and experts (Hutzler et al, 2023).…”