Physical Education for Manual Wheelchair Users in Quebec: A Description of Teacher Training and Child Integration in Elementary and High Schools

Abstract

Pediatric manual wheelchair users (PMWUs) do not meet the Canadian 24-hour movement guidelines. Consequences are significant in terms of physical, emotional and cognitive health. Physical education (PE) classes are an important facilitator to increased physical activity among children and youth with disability. However, many teachers do not feel adequately prepared to provide education to children with special needs. Indeed, many Quebec (Canada) schools do not meet the recommended minutes of PE per week and the provincially mandated education program targets typically developing children only. Study objectives were to describe (1) the PE teachers’ training in adapted physical activity and (2) the integration of PMWUs in PE classes within Quebec elementary and high schools. An online survey asked 47 questions about: (1) demographic and descriptive information, (2) integration of PMWUs in PE classes, (3) teaching strategies (4) evaluation methods, (5) use of reference tools and (6) interests and opinions. Complete responses were received from 136 PE teachers. Forty-nine percent of PE teachers received adapted physical activity training through their university curriculum and 14.9% took additional training after university. Eighty-six percent of PE teachers were interested in receiving education about manual wheelchair skills training. While 97% of PMWUs participate with or without assistance in PE classes, some PE teachers were not satisfied with how they adapted their PE courses for PMWUs, reporting that adaptations to classes and evaluations are primarily based on professional judgment. Most PE teachers who did not currently teach PMWUs would not feel equipped to adapt their classes to do so. More work is needed to develop programs to facilitate PE teacher training. Improved PE courses may in turn increase physical activity among PMWUs.