Physical Education and Sport Participation of Children and Youth with Spina Bifida Myelomeningocele

Physical education and sport participation of 133 children and youth with myelomeningocele (MM), aged 7 to 16 years, was investigated with respect to age, level of MM, and ambulation. Results showed that 90.2% of subjects received physical education. Elementary-aged subjects were least likely to be excluded from physical education, as were full-time manual wheelchair users. Regular physical education placements were afforded to 51.7% of subjects, although individuals may have been placed according to their MM label rather than their ambulation ability. Sport participation was reported by 82.6% of subjects. Subjects with cervical MM, and those not receiving physical education, were least likely to have participated. Interestingly, children who walked without assistive devices were least likely to participate in nonschool sports. However, 9.2% of subjects, including almost 20% of the subjects with sacral MM, felt they could benefit from use of a wheelchair in the future, or from use of a wheelchair for sport.