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New exercise guidelines for children and young people with disabilities have been published by the UK’s Chief Medical Officers.
They are backed by research from Durham University, University of Bristol and Disabilities Rights UK – and the infographic they feature in is the first of its kind to be co-produced with children with disabilities, young people and their families, the government said.
The Department of Health and Social Care said evidence has shown that physical activity can be just as beneficial for children and young people with disabilities as for children without disabilities, despite misinformation about the risks.
They added that specific benefits that children and young people with disabilities can derive from physical activity include improved confidence and concentration, meeting new people, stronger muscles and improved motor strength.
The new guidelines describe the following:
– Engage in 120 to 180 minutes of aerobic physical activity per week at moderate to vigorous intensity. This can be achieved in different ways (eg 20 minutes a day or 40 minutes three times a week). For example, walking or cycling
– Perform challenging, yet manageable, strength and balance activities three times a week that are especially beneficial for muscle strength and motor skills. For example, indoor climbing, yoga and modified sports like basketball or football
– When you start exercising, increase slowly to avoid injury
– Break their exercise down into bite-sized chunks of physical activity throughout the day to make it more manageable.
UK Chief Medical Officers Professor Sir Chris Whitty, Professor Sir Michael McBride, Professor Sir Gregor Smith and Sir Frank Atherton said: “We are delighted to present this report and infographic which is a significant step forward to close the physical activity gap. guidelines for children and young people with disabilities.
“We encourage schools, parents, caregivers and healthcare professionals to communicate and promote these guidelines through their wider professional networks to enable appropriate physical activity opportunities for children with disabilities and young people with disabilities in their communities.”
Professor Brett Smith, Director of Research in the Department of Sport and Exercise Science at Durham University, said: “The UK’s Chief Medical Officers’ Physical Activity Guidelines for Children and young people with disabilities are a first in the UK.
“The scientific evidence clearly shows that physical activity is safe and has multiple health benefits for children and young people with disabilities.
“The infographic, which was co-produced with over 250 children and young people with disabilities, their parents and guardians, aims to communicate these guidelines in an accessible and meaningful way. Together, the guidelines and infographic are an essential stepping stone to improving the health and well-being of children and youth with disabilities. »
Kamran Mallick, chief executive of Disability Rights UK, said the charity was delighted to have worked on developing the guidelines with Durham University.
He added: “People with disabilities have the right to become active in a way that suits them, and these guidelines show how important that is. The evidence-based infographic is not just a highlight of the project, but a positive example of co-production in practice. »
