Effect of Playground Environments on the Physical Activity of Children With Ambulatory Cerebral Palsy

Purpose: To compare the effect of 2 different playground environments on the physical activity of children with ambulatory cerebral palsy during their playground play.

Methods: Five 7- to 8-year-old children with cerebral palsy (Gross Motor Functional Classification System [GMFCS] level II) participated. Using an alternating treatment, single-subject design, stride patterns were obtained using an activity monitor on an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant and noncompliant playground. Visual and statistical analysis of the stride data was used to analyze the effect of the playground environments.

Results: Four of the 5 participants increased the number of strides on an ADA-compliant playground.

Conclusion: Children with cerebral palsy (GMFCS II) may benefit from an ADA-compliant playground to increase their physical activity.