Émilie Belley-Ranger

Physical Activity and the Development of the Built Environment in Schools for Youth with a Functional Disability in Quebec

Abstract Background: Assess how primary and secondary schools were designed to encourage the practice of physical and sporting activities for young people with limited physical abilities. Analyse the impacts of the built environment on the adoption of active behaviours for the disabled clientele in schools. Materials and methods: Fifteen schools in Quebec were examined using two structured and coded observation grids. Fifty-two interviews were held with each school’s administrative team, physical education teachers, the professional staff, parents and youth with limited physical abilities. Results: The school environment is a central component in the inclusion of youth with physical limitations. However, the lack of means, the dilapidated state of some spaces along with the lack of knowledge of the different populations of youth with limited physical abilities can account for the fact that the schools observed offer an environment that is more of less accessible or poorly adapted to these young people. Conclusions: Most of the time, certain non-existent or deficient faculties in the surveyed areas have a negative impact on the autonomy, perseverance, and the level of inclusion of young individuals with limited physical abilities. It therefore seems essential to adapt and develop areas of activity in accordance with the clientele’s (or potential clientele’s) physical limitations

Recreational and sport-related risk-taking behaviors among men during adolescence and early adulthood: A scoping review

This study aims to document, through a scoping review, the factors of risk-taking behaviors (RTBs) in recreational, physical, and sports activity (RPSA) among men aged 14–24. EBSCOhost, Scopus, and Web of Science databases as well as the range of years 2000–2014 were chosen to perform the scoping review. Many factors have been associated with the phenomenon of risk-taking: the physical environment, social influence, the recreational and sporting dimension, protective equipment, age, sensation-seeking, and substance consumption. On the one hand, some risk factors such as the recreational and sporting dimension as well as sensation-seeking are very well documented. On the other hand, some are not, which highlights the need to increase research, notably regarding the links between risk homeostasis, age, and peer influence with RTBs in RPSA.

Inclusive Sporting Events in Schools for Youth With Disabilities in Quebec

Participating in physical activities and sports entails positive impacts for youth with disabilities regarding their physical and social well-being. In Quebec, however, opportunities to practice inclusive sports adapted to their needs are scarce beyond the boundaries of the school environment. Through 33 semi-structured interviews conducted with practitioners involved in organizing such adapted sporting events, this study aims to better understand the needs and expectations linked to these events and, simultaneously, identify the social, experiential, and educational roles of these events on youth with disabilities. Results demonstrate substantial positive impacts on these young people (enjoyment, pride, self-esteem, etc.) and on their relatives. Results also highlight several barriers, notably, material and human, that can hinder their desire to go on with physical activities and sports in their school environment.

Interactions with peers in physical activities among students with disabilities in Québec

ABSTRACT This article draws a portrait of peer interactions during physical activities between students with and without disabilities. A research group part of a project funded by Québec en Forme under the AlterGo Défi Sportif has carried out a study about the determinants of adopting healthy lifestyle habits using a mixed method and two data collection methods. This research was conducted using observation sessions during physical education classes and semi-structured interviews with school administrators, students with disabilities, parents and physical educators. Results highlight an increased need for raising awareness in schools, a certain distance kept by students without disabilities towards students with disabilities and the impacts of small groups on the active participation of the latter.

Determinants of Participation in Sport and Physical Activity for Students with Disabilities According to Teachers and School-based Practitioners Specialized in Recreational and Competitive Physical Activity

Abstract Because youth with disabilities participate less in physical activity than young people without disabilities and that schools play an important role in adopting a healthy lifestyle, it is important to deepen our understanding of the elements that foster participation of young people with disabilities in physical activity. The objective of this research is twofold: 1) establish the determinants of participation of youth with disabilities in physical education according to practitioners and 2) document the effects of an initiation and competition program for youth with disabilities on their physical activity. The collection of data using semi-structured interviews was conducted in two phases. The first, among teachers and school-based practitioners (n = 18), aimed to understand their experiences relating to the adoption of healthy lifestyles among their students with disabilities. As for the second, practitioners (n = 12) were interviewed during organized adapted sporting events. Analysis of the interviews shows two categories of determinants, namely determinants relating to school (winning conditions of the environment, the importance of extracurricular activities, and obstacles) as well as determinants relating to the professional competence of teachers (the role of teachers, collaboration between professionals, the benefits of sport and physical activity and obstacles encountered).

L’évolution des dimensions associées à la prise de risque en loisir chez les hommes entre 14 et 24 ans selon l’âge

La prise de risque en loisir, véritable enjeu social, touche principalement les jeunes hommes, lesquels sont davantage aux prises avec des blessures récréatives et sportives. L’étude présentée s’intègre au groupe de recherche de l’Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières qui explore les facteurs incitant à la prise de risque et les facteurs protégeant de la prise de risque. Cet article propose de considérer ces facteurs dans une optique d’évolution selon trois groupes d’âge (14 à 16 ans, 17 à 20 ans, et 21 à 24 ans). Cette recherche empirique, par un devis qualitatif a été menée par l’analyse de 26 entretiens semi-dirigés via le logiciel NVivo9. L’analyse comparative des données montrent que les facteurs se modulent selon l’âge de trois façons: des éléments deviennent plus importants avec l’âge alors que d’autres perdent de l’importance avec l’âge. Enfin, des éléments transcendent les groupes d’âge et rejoignent l’ensemble des participants de cette étude.