Prevalence of School-Based Extracurricular Sport and Physical Activity Participation among Children with Disabilities

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study aimed to examine the prevalence and types of school-based extracurricular sports and physical activity participation among children with disabilities. This study utilised the 2013–2016 National Health and Examination Surveys (N = 4416). A total of 509 children who received special education services were identified as children with disabilities in this study. Descriptive statistics, Rao-Scott chi-square tests, binary logistic regression, and multivariate logistic regression model were used to answer the research questions. The results suggested a discrepancy in school-based extracurricular sport and physical activity participation between children with and without disabilities. Furthermore, there were significant disparities in participation in school-based extracurricular sports and physical activities among girls with disabilities. It is recommended that sufficient resources and training opportunities be provided for policy implementation to promote school-based extracurricular sport and physical activity participation of children with disabilities. Offering more favourable and suitable extracurricular sport and physical activity programs can also ensure children with disabilities have an equal opportunity to participate in sport and physical activity after school hours.