Peer-reviewed article
Parent and child preferences for a community-based physical activity participation intervention for children born very preterm: a qualitative framework analysis.
Cameron KLI, McDonald CE, Cheong JLY, Spittle AJ ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study explored how to best support physical activity participation for children born very preterm (before 32 weeks of pregnancy), who tend to be less active than other children. Researchers interviewed 24 families including children aged 8-12 and their parents to understand what helps and what gets in the way of joining community activities. The findings identified six key areas affecting participation, including the critical role of parents, the importance of activities matching each child's needs and abilities, practical family scheduling challenges, the value of a supportive social environment, and the role of enjoyment and success in keeping children engaged.
Key points
- Children born very preterm face greater barriers to participation in community-based physical activities compared to term-born peers
- Parents play a central role in supporting and enabling their children's participation in community-based physical activity
- Activities must be tailored to suit individual children's needs and personal goals
- Family logistics and fit with existing priorities and circumstances are key determinants of participation
- A supportive social environment, fun, and experiencing success are essential for ongoing participation
Limitations
This is a qualitative study exploring preferences and experiences rather than testing an intervention outcome; the study cannot tell us whether any specific intervention design actually improves physical activity participation or health outcomes for children born very preterm.
Abstract
Purpose Children born very preterm (VP: <32 weeks' gestation) are less physically active than their term-born peers and face greater barriers to participation in community-based activities. This study consults with key knowledge holders (children born VP and their parents) to understand how to best promote physical activity (PA) participation in a way that is responsive to the needs and preferences of children and their families. Methods Participants were 8-12-year-old children born VP and their parents. Semi-structured interviews explored barriers and facilitators to community-based PA participation, alongside preferences for a PA promotion intervention. Data were analysed using the Framework Method. Results Interviews were completed with 24 families (23 children/25 parents). Six themes were developed; 1) Making it work: the role of parents in supporting participation, 2) Why we make the effort: benefits of community-based PA for children born very preterm, 3) Activities must suit children's needs and goals, 4) Family logistics: fit with priorities and circumstances, 5) The importance of the social environment, and 6) Driving ongoing participation: fun and success. Conclusion Our results describe barriers, facilitators, and ideal attributes for participation promotion, with potential to inform the design of future PA participation interventions for children born VP.