“ARE YOU PLAYING?” FACTORS INFLUENCING PARTICIPATION OF ADOLESCENTS WITH CEREBRAL PALSY IN SCHOOL PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Abstract

The aim of the study was to understand factors influencing participation of adolescents with cerebral palsy (CP) in school Physical Education (PE). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten adolescents with CP. The interviews were recorded, transcribed and submitted to content analysis, resulting in three categories and seven subcategories. Environmental (attitudinal and physical) and personal factors influenced participation. Specifically, attitudes of peers, teachers and instructors, and availability of mobility devices and physical accessibility were important elements that influenced – negatively or positively – participation in PE. Personal characteristics such as fear of performing activities and low or high self-efficacy perception also influenced the engagement of adolescents in PE and should be considered by teachers and rehabilitation professionals.