“I do like the activities which I can do…” Leisure participation experiences of children with movement impairments

Abstract

Aim: To explore in depth the leisure participation experiences of children with movement impairments.

Methods: We used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis approach to interpret and understand the experiences of 22 children with movement impairments, aged between 6 and 12 years. Children expressed their views through flexible child-centred methods of data collection that allowed the children to draw, paint, use stickers, and demonstrate their leisure activities and equipment while communicating about their experiences.

Results: Children participated in leisure activities of their choice, and expressed positive experience of fun, challenge, independence and achievement. The choice of activities depended on a combination of the motor functioning of the individual child, inspiration and support from families, friends and health professionals, as well as the possibility of adaptations and availability of community programmes. At times children felt disappointed and avoided some activities due to associated negative experience such as injury, fear, non-inclusion and the difficulty they had experienced in adapting and performing certain activities.

Conclusion: Families, therapists and community service providers such as disability organisations could enhance leisure participation experiences by suggesting and creating opportunities that could increase children’s choices of leisure activities.

Implications for rehabilitation

• Children’s choice of activities, places and friends is important for positive experiences of fun, achievement, challenge, independence and motivation in leisure participation.

• Families and health professionals could assist children make appropriate choices for leisure activities that depends on factors such as motor abilities, adaptations and availability of activities in the community.

• In the community, widening the options for leisure activities such as non-competitive adaptive sports and indoor sports for children with variable levels of movement impairment could improve leisure participation experiences.

Keywords:

• Children
• experience
• leisure participation
• movement impairments

Acknowledgements

We wish to acknowledge Hemakumar Devan, Centre for Health Activity and Rehabilitation Research, School of Physiotherapy, University of Otago, New Zealand for his part in the interviews.

Disclosure statement

This study was supported by grants from Wilson Home Trust Research Grant, Physiotherapy New Zealand Paediatric Special Interest Group Study Award and Otago University Physiotherapy Research Fund Grant-in-Aid, School of Physiotherapy PhD fund and Otago University PhD scholarship. The authors report no declarations of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by grants from Wilson Home Trust Research Grant, Physiotherapy New Zealand Paediatric Special Interest Group Study Award and Otago University Physiotherapy Research Fund Grant-in-Aid, School of Physiotherapy PhD fund and Otago University PhD scholarship.