Background: Children and young people with CHD benefit from regular physical activity.
Parents are reported as facilitators and barriers to their children’s physical activity. The aim of
this study was to explore parental factors, child factors, and their clinical experience on physical
activity participation in young people with ...
Background: Children and young people with CHD benefit from regular physical activity.
Parents are reported as facilitators and barriers to their children’s physical activity. The aim of
this study was to explore parental factors, child factors, and their clinical experience on physical
activity participation in young people with CHD. Methods: An online questionnaire was
co-developed with parents (n = 3) who have children with CHD. The survey was then
distributed in the United Kingdom by social media and CHD networks, between October 2021
and February 2022. Data were analysed using mixed methods. Results: Eighty-three parents/
guardians responded (94% mothers). Young people with CHD were 7.3 ± 5.0 years old (range
0–20 years; 53% female) and 84% performed activity. Parental participation in activity (X2
(1) =
6.9, P < 0.05) and perceiving activity as important for their child were positively associated with
activity (Fisher’s Exact, P < 0.05). Some parents (~15%) were unsure of the safety of activity, and
most (~70%) were unsure where to access further information about activity. Fifty-two parents
(72%) had never received activity advice in clinic, and of the 20 who received advice, 10 said it
was inconsistent. Qualitative analysis produced the theme “Knowledge is power and comfort.”
Parents described not knowing what activity was appropriate or the impact of it on their child.
Conclusion: Parental participation and attitudes towards activity potentially influence their
child’s activity. A large proportion of young people performed activity despite a lack and
inconsistency of activity advice offered by CHD clinics. Young people with CHD would benefit
from activity advice with their families in clinics.
