Effectiveness of Modified Sports for Children and Adolescents With Cerebral Palsy: A Pragmatic Study Protocol.

Purpose: Sports Stars is a modified sports intervention that aims to prepare individuals with cerebral palsy for the transition from usual physical therapy care to community sports participation. This is a pragmatic randomized controlled trial protocol of a Brazilian applicability of this intervention.

Method: This study will compare the effectiveness of Sports Stars Brazil with standard care. Seventy-six children who walk and adolescents with cerebral palsy will be randomly assigned into an intervention or control group. The intervention group will receive 8 weekly group sessions. Each session will include 1 hour of sports-focused gross motor activity training and teamwork development, centered on popular Brazilian sports. Participation, levels of physical activity and, physical literacy domains will be measured at baseline, postintervention, and at 12-weeks of follow-up.

Discussion: The investigation of Sports Stars Brazil will provide high-quality evidence regarding the effectiveness of modified sports intervention to support participation in sports in this population.