Examining the Feasibility and Effects of a Pilot Online Physical Activity Intervention Targeting Social Cognitive Variables in Youth with Physical Disabilities

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, and short- and longer-term effects of a four-week social cognitive theory-based online physical activity (PA) intervention on the social cognitions and PA behaviour of youth with physical disabilities. Intervention feasibility was supported by high implementation fidelity (100%), high compliance (95.32%), and positive ratings on indicators of acceptability. A series of one-way, repeated measures ANOVAs revealed significant: (a) small-to-medium-sized increases in participants’ task (F[2, 11] = 5.89, η2p = .28) and barrier (F[2, 11] = 4.66, η2p = .24) self-efficacy; (b) large-sized increases in the use of goal-setting (F[2, 11] = 11.01, η2p = .42), and scheduling and planning (F[2, 11] = 10.66, η2p = .42); and (c) a medium-sized increase in PA behaviour (F[2, 11] = 5.32, η2p = .26). Key study implications and contributions to a growing field of research on technology-based PA interventions for youth are discussed.M.Sc