What are the barriers and underutilised facilitators for physical activity for children living with cerebral palsy? Could Living-Labs help provide an answer?

Using a living lab approach this study explored the barriers and facilitators for physical activity (PA) for children living with cerebral palsy (CP). Ten children (nine boys, one girl) and nine parents (3 male, 6 female) participated in one-to-one interviews and focus groups, respectfully. Interviews and focus groups aimed to explore their perceptions of the barriers and facilitators for PA faced by children living with CP in daily life. Children participated in game-based practices in the Living-Lab, which aimed to develop facets of their physical literacy. Children then engaged in focus groups to explore their experiences of the Living-Lab. Pen profiles generated through thematic analysis of child interviews and parental focus groups revealed that barriers to PA included: weather, culture of mainstream sport, lack of awareness of opportunities, peers and coaches. Conversely, facilitators (that were often underutilised) included: parents, siblings, peers, coaches, football, storylines/themes, child’s autonomy and awareness of opportunities. A subsequent pen profile addressed how the Living-lab empowered these underutilised facilitators and broke the previously presented barriers, demonstrating how children enjoyed collaborating with peers and siblings and developed positive relationships with coaches through the games-based practices. All children expressed a love for football, with older children enjoying competitive games, more representative of a football match and younger children just happy to score in “real nets”. Children also enjoyed the storylines used in practices. This study provides insights into the perceived barriers and facilitators for PA for children living with CP and demonstrates how Living-Lab methodology addresses these factors.