Influence of Parental Support on the Physical Activity Level of Children with Physical Disabilities

The practice of physical activities is essential for maintaining the health of children and adults. However, among people with disabilities, there is a high prevalence of physical inactivity, especially among children, mainly due to the lack of access to specific programs aimed at their possibilities. The aim of the current study was to evaluate the influence of parental support in the practice of physical activities of children with physical disabilities. Thirty-five children with physical disabilities and their mothers participated in the study. The children and mothers separately answered questionnaires to assess their usual level of physical activity and their perception of parental support for physical activity. The results showed that parental support had a positive relationship with the level of physical activity in younger children. No significant differences were observed in reported and perceived parental support when comparisons were performed according to sex, age group, and type of locomotion. Considering the physical activity level of the mothers, the average result showed an insufficient amount of practice, however the mothers attributed high importance to the physical activity practice of their children.