November 2009 Vol. 1, Issue 10 (PDF - 16.2Mb) - Department of ...

56 Nov 09 Research Xxxx
RECENT STUDY
Measuring activity levels in children
at a specialist school
Glenallen School is purpose-built to meet the
educational and mobility needs of students
who have a physical disability or significant
health impairment. In 2008, the school
received a grant from the Department to
conduct a practitioner-led research project. The
school chose the key theme of student support,
and formed their project around the research
question: How much time do school-aged
children with cerebral palsy engage in upright
activities at school and at home, and what are
the key predictors?
Research shows that physical activity is vital
for children’s social, physical and emotional
development. Weight-bearing is important for
hip joint development, preventing contractures,
maintaining bone density and encouraging
digestion and circulation. Furthermore,
physical activity improves muscle strength
and flexibility, improves cardiovascular fitness
and assists with healthy weight maintenance.
Lastly, the social aspect of play cannot be
underestimated, and exercise in general has
great psychological benefits.
Approximately half the students at Glenallen
have cerebral palsy. Due to the nature and
severity of their disability, these students
often spend large amounts of time seated in
a wheelchair, with minimal position changes.
The research project investigated the number
of hours per day in which children 5–18
years-old with cerebral palsy engage in upright
activity, with the purpose of monitoring
and developing school initiatives towards
increasing upright and weight-bearing activity,
and promoting a more active lifestyle.
The study found that the average time students
spent in upright activities was 1.5 hours per
day in contrast with an average of 5.4 hours for
typically-developing children.
Children’s level within the Gross Motor
Function Classification System (GMFCS)
was a strong predictor of the amount of time
spent in upright, weight-bearing activities.
The amount of time spent in upright activities
decreased as the GMFCS level increased.
Hence, while students at level two (who walk
without an assistive device in most settings)
spent an average of 3.25 hours being active,
students who were classified as level five (who
have difficulty with head and trunk control and
are transported in a manual wheelchair in all
settings), spent only 0.5 hours being upright.
In addition, there was a significant difference
in the time spent upright at home versus at
school, with children at all GMFCS levels
spending more time at school involved in
upright activities. Similar factors affecting
the amount of upright time for students with
higher GMFCS were found in both school
and home settings including lack of awareness
of the importance of standing, lack of funding
for equipment and/or space and lack of time.
Mathematics Specialist Teacher
Victorian Office – 2010
The Australian Bureau of Statistics
is seeking a Mathematics teacher
for 2010. The successful applicant
will be required to develop
resources aimed at increasing the
statistical literacy and capability of
teachers and students.
For further information, go to www.abs.gov.au/careers
or contact Christine Sergi on 9615 7695 or 0419 876 921
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