Physical Literacy in Children with Disabilities

  • Funded PhD opportunity
  • Life and Health Sciences
  • Full-time
Apply and key information  

This project is funded by:

    • Department for the Economy (DfE)
    • Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)

Summary

​​Disability, which includes long-term difficulties in physical, mental, or sensory functions, affects approximately 240 million children worldwide. Children with disabilities are less physically active than their non-disabled peers, and the gap in activity levels grows as they get older, particularly during adolescence. Since regular physical activity is important for overall health, this decline in participation can have significant health consequences.

​Physical literacy refers to the motivation, confidence, knowledge, and skills required to engage in physical activity. Research shows that higher levels of physical literacy are linked to increased physical activity, but there is limited understanding of how physical literacy applies to children with disabilities. Studies suggest that children with disabilities generally have lower levels of physical literacy than their peers, which may contribute to their reduced participation in physical activity.

​This project aims to address this gap by exploring physical literacy in children with disabilities and working with key stakeholders—children, parents, and educators—to co-design interventions that improve their physical literacy and encourage lifelong physical activity.

​Aims:

​To explore physical literacy in children with disabilities.

​To design strategies to enhance physical literacy and promote physical activity in this group.

​Objectives:

  • ​Review the existing research on physical literacy in children with disabilities.
  • ​Assess physical literacy levels in children with disabilities across the UK and Ireland.
  • ​Identify barriers and enablers to physical literacy from the perspectives of children, teachers, and parents/carers.
  • ​Develop an intervention based on these insights to improve physical literacy and participation in physical activity.

This research will provide valuable insights and contribute to promoting inclusive physical activity opportunities for children with disabilities.

AccessNI clearance required

Please note, the successful candidate will be required to obtain AccessNI clearance prior to registration due to the nature of the project.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

  • Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

  • Masters at 65%
  • Experience using research methods or other approaches relevant to the subject domain
  • Relevant professional qualification and/or a Degree in a Health or Health related area

Equal Opportunities

The University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applicants from all sections of the community, particularly from those with disabilities.

Appointment will be made on merit.

Funding and eligibility

This project is funded by:

  • Department for the Economy (DfE)
  • Vice Chancellor's Research Scholarship (VCRS)

Our fully funded PhD scholarships will cover tuition fees and provide a maintenance allowance of £19,237 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).  A Research Training Support Grant (RTSG) of £900 per annum is also available.

These scholarships, funded via the Department for the Economy (DfE) and the Vice Chancellor’s Research Scholarships (VCRS), are open to applicants worldwide, regardless of residency or domicile.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies.

Recommended reading

Activity Alliance, 2020. My Active Future: Including Every Child. Available at: https://www.activityalliance.org.uk/how-we-help/research/5658-my-active-future-including-every-child-march-2020 [Accessed 24 October 2024].

Britton, U., Ng, K., Behan, S., Goss, H., McFlynn, P., McClelland, J., Woods, C., Connolly, S., and Belton, S., 2024. Physical literacy in adolescents with disabilities in Ireland: a cross-sectional study examining effects of disability, age, gender and family affluence on physical literacy. European Journal of Public Health, 34(Supplement_2), p.ckae114.099. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckae114.099

Cairney, J., Dudley, D., Kwan, M., Bulten, R., and Kriellaars, D., 2019. Physical literacy, physical activity and health: Toward an evidence-informed conceptual model. Sports Medicine, 49(3), pp.371–383. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-019-01063-3

CDC. (2024) Disability and Health Overview. USA. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/disabilityandhealth/disability.html [Accessed 22nd of July 2024].

Olusanya, B.O., Kancherla, V., Shaheen, A., Ogbo, F.A. and Davis, A.C. (2022) Global and regional prevalence of disabilities among children and adolescents: analysis of findings from global health databases. Frontiers in Public Health, 10, 977453.

O'Donovan, G., Blazevich, A.J., Boreham, C., Cooper, A.R., Crank, H., Ekelund, U., and Stamatakis, E., 2010. The ABC of physical activity for health: A consensus statement from the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences. Journal of Sports Sciences, 28(6), pp.573–591. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640411003671212

Poitras, V.J., Gray, C.E., Borghese, M.M., Carson, V., Chaput, J.P., Janssen, I., Katzmarzyk, P.T., Pate, R.R., Connor Gorber, S., Kho, M.E., and Sampson, M., 2016. Systematic review of the relationships between objectively measured physical activity and health indicators in school-aged children and youth. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 41(6), pp.S197–S239. https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2015-0663

Pushkarenko, K., Causgrove Dunn, J., and Wohlers, B., 2021. Physical literacy and inclusion: A scoping review of the physical literacy literature inclusive of individuals experiencing disability. Prospects, 50(1-2), pp.107–126. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11125-020-09497-8

UNICEF (2021) Seen, Counted, Included: Using data to shed light on the well-being of children with disabilities. Available at: https://data.unicef.org/resources/children-with-disabilities-report-2021/ [Accessed 22nd of July 2024].

United Nations (2006) Convention on the Rights of the Persons with Disabilities. New York.  Available at: https://www.ohchr.org/sites/default/files/Ch_IV_15.pdf [Accessed 22nd of July 2024].

Whitehead, M., 2001. The concept of physical literacy. European Journal of Physical Education, 6(2), pp.127–138. https://doi.org/10.1080/1740898010060205

WHO (2024) Disability. Geneva: WHO Press. Available at: https://www.who.int/health-topics/disability#tab=tab_1 [Accessed 22nd of July 2024].

The Doctoral College at Ulster University

Key dates

Submission deadline
Monday 3 February 2025
04:00PM

Interview Date
Week beginning 31st March 2025

Preferred student start date
15th September 2025

Applying

Apply Online  

Contact supervisor

Dr Katy Pedlow

Telephone
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Email
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