title: Health in Adapted Youth Sports Study (HAYS): health effects of sports participation in children and adolescents with a chronic disease or physical disability.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In typically developing children, participation in sports has been proven to be positively correlated to both physical and psychosocial health outcomes. In children and adolescents with a physical disability or chronic disease participation in both recreational and competitive sports is often reduced, while for this population an active lifestyle may be even more important in reaching optimal levels of physical and psychosocial health. Therefore, the aim of the Health in Adapted Youth Sports (HAYS) Study is to determine both negative and positive effects of sports on children and adolescents with a chronic disease or physical disability.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this cross-sectional study differences will be compared in regards to physical and psychosocial health, cognitive functioning, school performance, daily physical activity and injuries between children and adolescents with a chronic disease or physical disability who participate in sports and those who do not. Children and adolescents, both ambulatory and wheelchair dependent, in the age of 10-19 years with a physical disability or chronic disease will be included. "Sports" is defined as participation in an organized sport at least two times a week for a duration of 3 months or more prior to the assessment. Parametric and non-parametric statistics will be used to determine the differences between the two groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides insight in the effects of sports participation in relation to health, psychosocial functioning, physical activity and school performance in children and adolescents (10-19 years) with a chronic disease or physical disability. Results will guide healthcare professionals working with these children to better guide this population in reaching optimal levels of health and physical activity levels.
authors.affiliation: Research Group Lifestyle and Health, Institute of Human Movement Studies, University of Applied Sciences, Utrecht, The Netherlands ; Partner of Shared Utrecht Pediatric Exercise Research (SUPER) Lab, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Kristel
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lankhorst
authors.affiliation: Research Group Lifestyle and Health, Institute of Human Movement Studies, University of Applied Sciences, Utrecht, The Netherlands ; Partner of Shared Utrecht Pediatric Exercise Research (SUPER) Lab, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Karin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: van der Ende-Kastelijn
authors.affiliation: Research Group Lifestyle and Health, Institute of Human Movement Studies, University of Applied Sciences, Utrecht, The Netherlands ; Partner of Shared Utrecht Pediatric Exercise Research (SUPER) Lab, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Janke
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de Groot
authors.affiliation: Partner of Shared Utrecht Pediatric Exercise Research (SUPER) Lab, Utrecht, The Netherlands ; Brain Center Rudolf Magnus and Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Medical Center Utrecht and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Maremka
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zwinkels
authors.affiliation: Partner of Shared Utrecht Pediatric Exercise Research (SUPER) Lab, Utrecht, The Netherlands ; Brain Center Rudolf Magnus and Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Medical Center Utrecht and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands ; Department of Rehabilitation, Nursing Science and Sports, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Olaf
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Verschuren
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation, Nursing Science and Sports, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Backx
authors.affiliation: Brain Center Rudolf Magnus and Center of Excellence for Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Medical Center Utrecht and De Hoogstraat Rehabilitation, Utrecht, The Netherlands ; Department of Rehabilitation, Nursing Science and Sports, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Visser-Meily
authors.affiliation: Partner of Shared Utrecht Pediatric Exercise Research (SUPER) Lab, Utrecht, The Netherlands ; Child Development and Exercise Center, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, P.O. Box 85090, 3508AB Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takken
keywords: Children; Chronic disease; Health; Physical disability; Physical fitness; Sports participation