Abstract
Children and adolescents with movement challenges have lower instances of physical activity and longer time spent in sedentary behaviors compared to children with typical development. The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of a sport-based youth development running program modified for accessibility using a running frame and to evaluate initial evidence for its efficacy on endurance and functional strength. We completed four 8-week seasons (2–3 times per week) in a combination of 3 different formats by season: online remote (winter and spring), in person in a community park (winter, spring, and summer), and in person in an afterschool setting (autumn). Participants included 13 athletes (average age 14.46 years, range 8–18 years, 4 females), who collectively completed 22 season blocks. Diagnoses included cerebral palsy (n = 10), arthrogryposis (n = 1), Dandy-Walker malformation (n = 1), and transverse myelitis (n = 1). In all settings, participants engaged in activities of social emotional learning, cardiovascular endurance, and muscle strengthening in a progressive manner. We found that each season format was feasible to administer with high attendance rates (76–97%) and positive qualitative feedback from athletes. In addition, promising average improvements in motor performance across a season (6 min frame running test, 170 m; timed up and go test, 8.44 s; five times sit to stand, 14.1 s; and Goal Attainment Scale, t = 65.01) were identified in the pilot data of this non-randomized cohort. Training in any of the proposed settings with an overall goal of completing a community race in a running frame is feasible and warrants further study.
Highlights
There are widely established benefits to exercise in children and adolescents including cardiovascular and musculoskeletal as well as academic and mental health benefits (Herting and Chu, 2017) for children of all ability levels
cerebral palsy (CP) has an emerging field of evidence associated with activity and participation, but children with other diagnoses that impact movement would likely benefit from increased access to participation in activities that encourage movement and elevate heart rate
The purpose of this study was to pilot an intervention of a sport-based youth development program modified for accessibility for children and adolescents with movement challenges, with the goal of community-based running participation using running frames
Summary
There are widely established benefits to exercise in children and adolescents including cardiovascular and musculoskeletal as well as academic and mental health benefits (Herting and Chu, 2017) for children of all ability levels. Feasibility of Frame Running Program the importance of exercise for all patients, regardless of ability level For conditions such as cerebral palsy (CP), an initial and non-progressive injury to the developing brain may still cause secondary cardiovascular consequences due to lack of movement and physical activity. Children with disabilities and movement challenges have difficulty accessing programs targeted at improving physical fitness (Martin Ginis et al, 2016) They have 38% higher rates of obesity in childhood (Grondhuis and Aman, 2014), which may be linked to a greater risk of cardiovascular comorbidities (Peterson et al, 2015; Edwards, 2018), pain (Jahnsen et al, 2004), and fatigue (Malone and Vogtle, 2010) in adulthood
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