Examination of the Relationships between Youth Adaptive Sports Participation Factors and Physical Activity Self-Efficacy

Abstract

Due to increased limitations and barriers to physical activity, it is important for children with physical disabilities to develop physical activity self-efficacy (i.e., confidence that they can be active in the future despite barriers. The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship of demographic and physical activity participation variables with physical activity self-efficacy levels for youth participating in adaptive sports. Though not significant, results from the study appeared to be in line with some established research trends. Physical activity self-efficacy scores were higher for the percentage of youth who met physical activity recommendations (M = 4.96) than those who did not meet recommendations (M = 4.11). However, the percentage of children in this sample who met physical activity recommendations (33.3%) differed slightly from the national average (21.6%). The findings also deviated from the usual gender norms in that girls met recommendations more days out of the week than boys (4.75 and 4.56 days, respectively) and exhibited higher self-efficacy scores. Additional research with larger sample sizes is recommended to further investigate the impact physical activity participation has on physical activity self-efficacy in children with disabilities.