Article

PURPOSE: To examine the associations between physical activity, health-related
quality of life and happiness in young people with cerebral palsy. METHOD: A total of 70 young people with cerebral palsy (45 males, 25 females; mean age 13
years 11 months, SD 2 years 0 month) took part in a cross-sectional, descriptive
postal survey assessing physical activity (Physical Activity Questionnaire for
Adolescents), functional ability (Gross Motor Function Classification System),
quality of life (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory 4.0) and happiness (single
Likert-scale item). Relationships between physical activity, quality of life and
happiness were examined using backward stepwise linear regression. RESULTS:
Physical activity significantly predicted physical quality of life (R(2 )= 0.64,
beta = 6.12, p = 0.02), social quality of life (R(2 )= 0.28, beta = 9.27, p <
0.01) and happiness (R(2 )= 0.08, beta = 0.9, p = 0.04). Physical activity was
not associated with emotional or school quality of life. CONCLUSIONS: This study
found a positive association between physical activity, social and physical
quality of life, and happiness in young people with cerebral palsy. Findings
underscore the potential benefits of physical activity for the wellbeing of young
people with cerebral palsy, in addition to its well-recognised physical and
health benefits. Implications for Rehabilitation Physical activity is a key
predictor of quality of life and happiness in young people with cerebral palsy.
Physical activity is widely recognised as having physical health benefits for
young people with cerebral palsy; however, this study also highlights that it may
have important benefits for wellbeing, quality of life and happiness. This
emphasises the need for clinical services and intervention studies aimed
specifically at increasing physical activity amongst children and adolescents
with cerebral palsy.

Langue : ANGLAIS