Physical activity and sports behavior of children and adolescents with and without disabilities from Germany: results from the cross-sectional KiGGS wave 2 study.

BACKGROUND

Physical activity (PA) offers significant health benefits for children and adolescents with (CAWD) and without (CAWoD) disabilities. As there's no data about the PA in different settings of CAWD in Germany, the present study aims to identify and compare PA participation in CAWD and CAWoD, focusing on meeting the World Health Organizational (WHO) PA recommendations and participation in sports activities (non-organised and organised sport in higher intensities) and sports clubs.

METHOD

This study used data from the cross-sectional nationwide German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS). To analyse and compare PA behaviour, Pearson Chi²-tests and binary logistic regression models were performed.

RESULTS

All PA values were analysed in 250 CAWD and 12,557 CAWoD aged 0-17 years. In CAWD PA values were lower than in CAWoD. Only 21.6% (54) of CAWD met the PA recommendations. Regarding participation in sport clubs, 44.6% (108) of CAWD compared to 60.3% (7,511) of CAWoD participated. Across sporting activities, 60.4% (151) of CAWD participate compared to 75.2% (9,488) of CAWoD. Statistically significant differences were identified across sport club participation (OR: 0.54, 95% CI [0.45, 0.78]) as well as sporting activities (OR: 0.59, 95% CI [0.42, 0.71]).

DISCUSSION

CAWD are less active compared to their peers without disabilities, showing significantly lower participation in sporting activities and sport clubs.