Kids Action Research
Our Approach
KidsAction Coaching is an evidence-based coaching approach that was developed by researchers at UBC in collaboration with Special Olympics BC and the Indigenous Sport, Physical Activity and Recreation Council (I·SPARC). We developed this approach based on our previous research with collaborators including Special Olympics BC. Now we are conducting research to see how the KidsAction approach can be used or adapted through collaborations with organizations in communities.
KidsAction Coaching is best described as a ‘Knowledge Translation’ project. Knowledge Translation (KT) is an ‘implementation science’ which describes the process of taking previous research, knowledge, and findings and combining them into applications that are aimed at improving health of the participants and passing over into the hands of people and organizations who can put it to practical use.
One of the most common questions we receive from parents, coaches, and organizations is regarding our basis in research, and what that means for them. KidsAction Coaching is not a research study. However, there are aspects of the project that require research and evaluation to ensure our project is achieving what it is aiming to do. All these aspects of research are entirely voluntary, and only concern the KidsAction Coaching approach. All matters related to research will be made clearly known and are not required to successfully partake in KidsAction Coaching.
Research Background
Formal literature reviews: We have conducted a scoping review and two systematic reviews with meta-analyses regarding the effects of physical activity programs on children and youth with Neurodevelopmental and/or Intellectual Disabilities (NDID). Our results demonstrate that physical activity not only improves children’s motor performance, but can also enhance their cognitive functioning, social integration, emotional well-being, mental wellness, and daily functioning. Another scoping review by our team on the impacts of social networks and peer support groups on parents of children with NDID showed that families reported more resilience and less anxiety and depression when socially connected to other families.
Research studies: We have completed a longitudinal prospective cohort study that confirmed our findings from the literature on the positive effects of physical activity programs for children with NDID. Another field study has been conducted that found that social participation increased through social networks related to physical activity programs. This study also showed the positive impacts for parents from interacting with other families while their child attended the physical activity programs. Further, through these research studies, we have identified factors related to physical activity program operations that impact their effectiveness, including organizing systematic evaluations of the child’s performance, promoting social interaction among children and their families, having a longer duration of training for coaches and staff, and organizing more personalized activities with pre-specified goals. The large majority of our research studies to date have been conducted in collaboration with Special Olympics BC (SOBC) and have led directly to the current study.