Novita Research Report - 2004 to 2007 - Novita Children's Services

46Results The survey was sent to 229 potential participants and 118 responded (response rate 51.5%,age range 11 to 17 years, males n=76).Key findings were that:• physical activity level was associated with gross motor function ability (adolescents withless impairment were more physically active than those with greater level of impairment)• adolescents with CP were less physically active than their peers without disability• adolescents with CP participated in lower intensity and more solitary activities thanadolescents without disability• within the adolescent population with CP, there was a trend towards increased physicalactivity being associated with male gender, lower age and higher socioeconomic status.These are the same factors recognised as being associated with physical activity level inthe adolescent population without disability• the sedentary activity patterns (television viewing, recreational computer use, videogames) of adolescents with and without CP were very similar.ImplicationsFor clients – adolescents with CP are participating in a variety of physical activities, howeverthere is a tendency towards low-intensity, relatively solitary activities. It appears that the vastmajority of adolescents with CP are not undertaking physical activity of sufficient intensity toachieve psychological benefits.For services – therapists should aim to assist their adolescent clients to participate inphysical activity that will lead to both social and physiological benefits. Services are neededto assist adolescent clients to participate in physical activity.StatusCompletedProject titleContributorsFundingRelationship between caregiver time and mental health and wellbeing of motherscaring for children with chronic disabilityProfessor Michael Sawyer (Women’s and Children’s Hospital and University of Adelaide),(listed alphabetically) Peter Baghurst (Women’s and Children’s Hospital), Michael Bittman(University of New England), Angela Crettenden (University of Adelaide), Peter Flett (CalvaryHealth Care, Tasmania), Annette La Greca (University of Miami, USA), Jon Martin (AutismSA),Dr Parimala Raghavendra, Dr Ray Russo (Child, Youth and Women’s Health Services),Marie Iannos (Research Assistant, Women’s and Children’s Hospital)• National Health and Medical Research Council