Disability and Health Journal
Volume 3, Issue 3 , Pages 162-170 , July 2010

Summative evaluation of a pilot aquatic exercise program for children with disabilities

  • Maria Fragala-Pinkham, M.S., P.T.

      Affiliations

    • Research Center for Children With Special Health Care Needs, Franciscan Hospital for Children, Brighton, MA 02135, USA
    • Corresponding Author InformationCorresponding author: 30 Warren Street. Fax: (617) 779-1361.
    • ,
  • Margaret E. O'Neil, Ph.D., M.P.H., P.T.

      Affiliations

    • Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Professions, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
    • ,
  • Stephen M. Haley, Ph.D., P.T.

      Affiliations

    • Health and Disability Research Institute, Boston University, Boston, MA 02118, USA

References 

  1. Strong W, Malina R, Blimkie C, et al. Evidence-based physical activity for school-aged youth. J Pediatr. 2005;146(6):732–737
  2. Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness, Council on School Health. Active healthy living: prevention of childhood obesity through increased physical activity. Policy Statement of the American Academy of Pediatrics. Pediatrics. 2006;117(5):1834–1842
  3. Pate R, Freedson P, Sallis J, et al. Compliance with physical activity guidelines. Ann Epidemiol. 2002;12:303–308
  4. Law M, King G, King S, et al. Patterns of participation in recreational and leisure activities among children with complex physical disabilities. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2006;48(5):337–342
  5. Rimmer J, Rowland J. Physical activity for youth with disabilities: a critical need in an underserved population. Dev Neurorehabil. 2008;11(2):141–148
  6. Majnemer A, Shevell M, Law M, et al. Participation and enjoyment of leisure activities in school-aged children with cerebral palsy. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2008;50(10):751–758
  7. Rimmer J, Riley B, Wang E, et al. Physical activity participation among persons with disabilities: barriers and facilitators. Am J Prev Med. 2004;26(5):419–425
  8. Riley B, Rimmer J, Wang E, et al. A conceptual framework for improving the accessibility of fitness and recreation facilities for people with disabilities. J Phys Activity Health. 2008;5(1):158–168
  9. Durstine J, Painter P, Franklin B, et al. Physical activity for the chronically ill and disabled. Sports Med. 2000;30(3):207–219
  10. Morris P. Physical activity recommendations for children and adolescents with chronic disease. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2008;7(6):353–358
  11. Johnson C. The benefits of physical activity for youth with developmental disabilities: a systematic review. Am J Health Prom. 2009;23(3):157–167
  12. Moberg-Wolff E, Kiesling S. Adapted recreational and sports programs for children with disabilities: a decade of experience. J Pediatr Rehabil Med. 2008;1(2):155–161
  13. Prupas A, Harvey W, Benjamin J. Early Intervention Aquatics: a program for children with autism and their families. J Phys Educ Recreat Dance. 2006;77(2):46–51
  14. Yilmaz I, Yanardag M, Birkan B, et al. Effects of swimming training on physical fitness and water orientation in autism. Pediatr Int. 2004;46(5):624–626
  15. Vonder Hulls D, Walker L, Powell J. Clinicians' perceptions of the benefits of aquatic therapy for young children with autism: a preliminary study. Phys Occup Ther Pediatr. 2006;23(1/2):13–22
  16. Kelly M, Darrah J. Aquatic exercise for children with cerebral palsy. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2005;47(12):838–842
  17. Getz M, Hutzler Y, Vermeer A. Effects of aquatic interventions in children with neuromotor impairments: a systematic review of the literature. Clin Rehabil. 2006;20(11):927–936
  18. Portney L, Watkins M. Foundations of Clinical Research Applications to Practice. Connecticut. 2nd ed. Appleton and Lange; 2000;
  19. Fragala-Pinkham M, Haley S, O'Neil M. Group aquatic aerobic exercise for children with disabilities. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2008;50(11):822–827
  20. Fragala-Pinkham M, Haley S, O'Neil M. Aquatic aerobic exercise for children with disabilities. Concurrent validity of Swimming Classification Scale and YMCA Swimming Skills Checklist: unpublished data; 2009.
  21. Fragala-Pinkham M, Haley S, Goodgold S. Evaluation of a community-based group fitness program for children with disabilities. Pediatr Phys Ther. 2006;18(2):159–167
  22. Retakar R, Fragala-Pinkham M, Townsend E. Effects of aquatic aerobic exercise on endurance, mobility, and participation for a child with cerebral palsy: a single subject design. Pediatr Phys Ther. 2009;21(4):336–344
  23. Prochaska J, Sallis J, Long B. A physical activity screening measure for use with adolescents in primary care. Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2001;155:554–559
  24. McHugh E. The role of aquatic programs in facilities serving children with physical disabilities. Clin Kinesiol. 1995;48(4):83–85
  25. Rimmer JH. Health promotion for people with disabilities: the emerging paradigm shift from disability prevention to prevention of secondary conditions. Phys Ther. 1999;79(5):495–502
  26. King G, Law M, King S, et al. A conceptual model of the factors affecting the recreation and leisure participation of children with disabilities. Phys Occup Ther Pediatr. 2003;23(1):63–90

 Financial disclosures: None of the authors has any conflicts of interest or financial disclosures to declare related to this study. This study was funded by the Yawkey Foundation and the Giving Tree Foundation.

PII: S1936-6574(09)00195-2

doi: 10.1016/j.dhjo.2009.11.002

Disability and Health Journal
Volume 3, Issue 3 , Pages 162-170 , July 2010

Article Tools