Marie-Michèle Duquette

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

Loisir et Société : 40 ans de publications sur la recherche en loisir et santé

For the 40-year anniversary of Loisir et Société/Society and Leisure, it was interesting to take stock of the articles that were published in connection with the theme of leisure and health. The last 40 years of publications have thus been scrutinized based on precise selection criteria. For this first analysis, 131 articles were selected. A qualitative analysis was carried out and shed light on four recurring themes related to leisure, health and the optimal development of individuals: (1) reflection on the theoretical foundations; (2) recreation and population with special needs; (3) leisure and health maintenance; and (4) leisure experience and development of individuals. A quantitative analysis was then conducted to highlight trends in five-year increments over the last 40 years. The results of these analyses are then discussed to put into perspective the evolution of the literature in the field of leisure and health according to various issues that have affected society over the years.

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).

Young people with disabilities: the influence of leisure experiences on family dynamics

ABSTRACT This article presents the results of a research project on the influence of leisure experiences on the family dynamics of young people with disabilities. Case studies have been performed within five different households, all of which included a teenager living with a disability, in order to understand the importance of leisure experiences in family dynamics. All these teenagers practise a physical activity without the presence of a parent and outside of their home. For the sake of this study, parents and children have taken part in semi-structured interviews. The results show how participation in such activities is associated with the process of family dynamics. A model of influence of leisure on family resilience and a typology of family emerged from the results. This paper supports the importance of sport participation for young people with disabilities.