Promoting Physical Activity Participation in Natural Environments Where Children Live, Play & Learn

The World Health Organization (WHO) published guidelines on physical activity (PA)and a Global Status Report to promote health in different populations. 1,2 The 2018 PA Guidelines for Americans recommend PA levels for people across age ranges.3 These documents define PA for children (60 min/day of moderate to vigorous PA including bone health exercises, aerobic and strength training).4 The 24-hour movement guidelines for children integrate PA, sedentary behaviors, and sleep across the day.5 Children with disabilities don’t meet recommended PA levels and participate in increased sedentary behaviors.6 Intervention strategies are available to promote PA, reduce sedentary behaviors and improve sleep for youth with disabilities.6,7 These strategies are important to pediatric therapy practice.
The scope of pediatric physical therapy includes health promotion, and PA participation to enhance active lifestyles in children.8 Contextual factors (school, early intervention) influence delivery and impact of PA interventions.9 A positive association exists between school engagement and PA participation supporting PA in schools.9 Facilitators and barriers to PA participation have been identified for youth with disabilities.10 Pediatric therapists can design PA programs to reduce barriers and promote health and PA.
Our session is well aligned with topics of interest for APPTAC 2024 including promotion of PA and wellness, school management of students with disabilities, recommendations on dosage and intensity of interventions in schools and assessment and goal development. Our goal is to support the pediatric PT practitioner to expand practice skills, knowledge, and patterns, as well as the evidence base, to include health promotion strategies for all children.