Physical Activity Disparities between Students with and without Disabilities across School-Based Physical Activity Contexts

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Title: Physical Activity Disparities between Students with and without Disabilities across School-Based Physical Activity Contexts
Language: English
Authors: Kahyun Nam (ORCID 0000-0002-6639-3797), Pamela H. Kulinna (ORCID 0000-0002-0355-0695), Hans van der Mars (ORCID 0000-0001-9514-4784), Martin E. Block (ORCID 0000-0001-7934-8947), Shannon D. Ringenbach (ORCID 0000-0001-7420-6683)
Source: Journal of School Health. 2026 96(5).
Availability: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 12
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Elementary Education
Grade 6
Intermediate Grades
Middle Schools
Grade 7
Junior High Schools
Grade 8
Descriptors: Students with Disabilities, At Risk Persons, Obesity, Physical Activity Level, Physical Activities, Secondary School Students, Grade 6, Grade 7, Grade 8, Recess Breaks, Physical Education
DOI: 10.1111/josh.70154
ISSN: 0022-4391
1746-1561
Abstract: Background: Students with disabilities (SWD) face higher risks of obesity and lower physical activity (PA) levels compared to students without disabilities (SWOD). Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs (CSPAP) aim to provide equal PA opportunities for all students, yet activity differences in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among SWD in secondary schools remain understudied. Methods: This study measured MVPA levels and environmental factors throughout the school day and during three CSPAP components--Physical Education, before-school PA, and lunchtime recess--using activity monitors and observation tools. Participants included 124 students in grades 6-8 (33 SWD). Results: SWD were significantly less active than SWOD during the school day, Physical Education, and recess, but not during before-school PA. Statistical analyses identified disability status, Physical Education enrollment, and environmental factors, such as organized activities and equipment availability, as important predictors of MVPA across different settings. Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity: Creating organized, inclusive, and well-equipped PA environments is essential for reducing MVPA differences between student groups. Results emphasize the need for school health policies ensuring equal access to quality PA opportunities for all students. Conclusion: SWD are less physically active than SWOD during Physical Education and other school-based PA opportunities.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1504538
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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PubType: Academic Journal
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IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
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  Data: Physical Activity Disparities between Students with and without Disabilities across School-Based Physical Activity Contexts
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  Label: Language
  Group: Lang
  Data: English
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kahyun+Nam%22">Kahyun Nam</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6639-3797">0000-0002-6639-3797</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Pamela+H%2E+Kulinna%22">Pamela H. Kulinna</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0355-0695">0000-0002-0355-0695</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Hans+van+der+Mars%22">Hans van der Mars</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9514-4784">0000-0001-9514-4784</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Martin+E%2E+Block%22">Martin E. Block</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7934-8947">0000-0001-7934-8947</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Shannon+D%2E+Ringenbach%22">Shannon D. Ringenbach</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7420-6683">0000-0001-7420-6683</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+School+Health%22"><i>Journal of School Health</i></searchLink>. 2026 96(5).
– Name: Avail
  Label: Availability
  Group: Avail
  Data: Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us
– Name: PeerReviewed
  Label: Peer Reviewed
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  Data: Y
– Name: Pages
  Label: Page Count
  Group: Src
  Data: 12
– Name: DatePubCY
  Label: Publication Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: TypeDocument
  Label: Document Type
  Group: TypDoc
  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
– Name: Audience
  Label: Education Level
  Group: Audnce
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Secondary+Education%22">Secondary Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Elementary+Education%22">Elementary Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Grade+6%22">Grade 6</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Intermediate+Grades%22">Intermediate Grades</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Middle+Schools%22">Middle Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Grade+7%22">Grade 7</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Junior+High+Schools%22">Junior High Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Grade+8%22">Grade 8</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Students+with+Disabilities%22">Students with Disabilities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22At+Risk+Persons%22">At Risk Persons</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Obesity%22">Obesity</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Physical+Activity+Level%22">Physical Activity Level</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Physical+Activities%22">Physical Activities</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Secondary+School+Students%22">Secondary School Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Grade+6%22">Grade 6</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Grade+7%22">Grade 7</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Grade+8%22">Grade 8</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Recess+Breaks%22">Recess Breaks</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Physical+Education%22">Physical Education</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
  Group: ID
  Data: 10.1111/josh.70154
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 0022-4391<br />1746-1561
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Background: Students with disabilities (SWD) face higher risks of obesity and lower physical activity (PA) levels compared to students without disabilities (SWOD). Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programs (CSPAP) aim to provide equal PA opportunities for all students, yet activity differences in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among SWD in secondary schools remain understudied. Methods: This study measured MVPA levels and environmental factors throughout the school day and during three CSPAP components--Physical Education, before-school PA, and lunchtime recess--using activity monitors and observation tools. Participants included 124 students in grades 6-8 (33 SWD). Results: SWD were significantly less active than SWOD during the school day, Physical Education, and recess, but not during before-school PA. Statistical analyses identified disability status, Physical Education enrollment, and environmental factors, such as organized activities and equipment availability, as important predictors of MVPA across different settings. Implications for School Health Policy, Practice, and Equity: Creating organized, inclusive, and well-equipped PA environments is essential for reducing MVPA differences between student groups. Results emphasize the need for school health policies ensuring equal access to quality PA opportunities for all students. Conclusion: SWD are less physically active than SWOD during Physical Education and other school-based PA opportunities.
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  Label: Abstractor
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  Data: As Provided
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  Data: 2026
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  Data: EJ1504538
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        Value: 10.1111/josh.70154
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 12
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Students with Disabilities
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: At Risk Persons
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Obesity
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Physical Activity Level
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      – SubjectFull: Physical Activities
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      – SubjectFull: Secondary School Students
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      – SubjectFull: Grade 6
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      – SubjectFull: Grade 7
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      – SubjectFull: Grade 8
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      – SubjectFull: Recess Breaks
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      – SubjectFull: Physical Education
        Type: general
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      – TitleFull: Physical Activity Disparities between Students with and without Disabilities across School-Based Physical Activity Contexts
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