Physical Activity Participation in Children with Disabilities

Physical activity plays a vital role in the physical, psychological and social development of all children, yet those with disabilities often face distinct challenges to participation. A combination of personal factors such as motor competence, fatigue and self‐confidence, alongside environmental factors including facility accessibility, availability of adapted programmes and societal attitudes, shapes the extent to which children with a range of physical, neurodevelopmental and sensory impairments engage in activity. Evidence highlights disparities in both organised and unstructured physical activity, with many children with disabilities failing to meet recommended levels for health and well‐being. At the same time, sport‐based and school‐linked interventions have demonstrated benefits for motor performance, cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition and psychosocial outcomes. A growing emphasis on inclusive pathways that adapt activities to individual needs, incorporate assistive devices and build self‐efficacy through staged skill progression underpins current efforts to close the participation gap. Global initiatives stress cross‐sector collaboration between families, schools, healthcare providers and community organisations to ensure sustained engagement and long‐term health promotion.

Research from Nature Portfolio

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Physical Activity Participation in Children with Disabilities publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in physical activity participation in children with disabilities across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Moderate‐to‐vigorous physical activity (MVPA): Activity of sufficient intensity to raise heart rate and induce measurable physiological benefit.

Self‐efficacy: An individual’s belief in their capacity to organise and execute actions required to achieve specific performance attainments.

Inclusive pathways: Structured progressions of activities adapted to the evolving skills and needs of children with disabilities to facilitate ongoing participation.

Assistive device: Equipment designed to support mobility or functional independence for individuals with physical impairments.

References

1. Perceived barriers and facilitators to participation in physical activity for children with disability: a qualitative study. BMC Pediatrics (2016).
2. Physical and Psychosocial Benefits of Sports Participation Among Children and Adolescents with Chronic Diseases: A Systematic Review. Sports Medicine - Open (2024).
3. Physical activity of children and adolescents who use a wheelchair: a systematic review. BMC Public Health (2023).
4. Walking activity increases physical abilities and subjective health in people with seven different types of disabilities. Frontiers in Public Health (2023).