RESUMO
AIM: Investigation of the perspectives of paediatric health care professionals (PHCPs) in Switzerland regarding factors that influence participation in physical activity programs for children and adolescents with disabilities or chronic conditions (CADCCs). Evaluation of self-reported exercise counselling behavior of those professionals. METHOD: A cross-sectional survey was used to collect the opinions of 171 PHCPs working with CADCCs using a structured questionnaire. The information obtained was evaluated by performing a combined quantitative and qualitative statistical analysis. RESULTS: PHCPs in Switzerland think that CADCC do not get enough physical activity and see the underlying reasons in lacking information/knowledge and organizational factors. We found that the level of knowledge about disability sports opportunities among PHCPs has a positive influence on their exercise counselling behaviour. CONCLUSIONS: We propose three approaches to increase the level of physical activity in CADCC: Establishing personalized exercise counseling, intensifying information about disability sports programmes towards PHCPs, and improving inclusion and integration in PE lessons or regular sports clubs.