Australian occupational therapists' perception of facilitating regular physical activity amongst children and adolescents

1. Dr Jessica Hill BOccThy (HONS I), PhD.
2. Dr Hannah Gullo BHlthSc, MOccThy, PhD.
3. Miss Jessica Vogler BOccThy (HONS) student, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

There is currently a large shortage of Australian children participating in regular physical activity with over 74% not meeting the daily physical activity guidelines. This has been suggested to be further reduced for individuals living with a disability with most recent data suggesting that individuals with a disability are 72% less likely to participate in physical activity when compared to their peers. Physical activity has been found to have several benefits on the health and overall well-being of our clients including, improvements in musculoskeletal, mental health, cognitive ability and overall occupational functioning. However, whilst these benefits are widely acknowledged within the literature, inactivity and sedentary statistics continue to increase, which asks the question, is it really as simple as “just moving”? The ability to engage in physical activity has been said to involve complex psychological, social, environmental and biological factors which need to be understood to support successful participation. Therefore, occupational therapists have a role to play, however what does this role look like and how does it differ from our physiotherapy and exercise physiology peers?

This study aims to fill the gap in our knowledge, contributing to the understanding of the role occupational therapists can play in this important space. Your participation will involve completing the following questionnaire about your understanding of the role of occupational therapists facilitating physical activity with children and adolescents. Questions involve a mix of both forced and short answer questions. Whilst you are encouraged to expand on your answers this is not mandatory.

You have been invited to participate within this study, however, participation is completely voluntary. It is your choice to participate within this study and no ramifications will occur if you decide that you do not wish to be involved. You have the right to withdraw your consent to participate within this study at any time, by exiting out of the survey before completion with no risk of ramification. No reasons will need to be provided to the research team.

No personal information will be collected at any time throughout the process of this project ensuring your anonymity is maintained. All online information electronic data will be kept in the University of Queensland’s Research Data Manager (UQRDM) also located at the University of Queensland with only persons involved within the study having access.

This study is being completed with a hope of sharing results and information with the wider community including presentations at national conference, as well as, publication. Your anonymity will be maintained at all times with no personal information being collected.

This study adheres to the Guidelines of the ethical review process of The University of Queensland and the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research.