Liverpool John Moores University will host a free online webinar on February 18, from 11:00 to 12:00 (GMT-3), as part of the 2025–26 seminar series launched by the LJMU Disability Sport and Physical Activity (DisSPA) Network. The webinar will be delivered in an online format and is open to all interested participants.
The seminar, titled “Barriers to Physical Activity for Children with Cerebral Palsy and the Role of Living-Labs,” will be presented by William Pattison (Coventry University and Hartpury University). This session follows the opening seminar of the series focused on inclusivity in Physical Education and continues the Network’s aim to foster dialogue between research, practice, and community engagement in disability sport and physical activity.
The webinar will examine key barriers and facilitators influencing physical activity participation among children living with cerebral palsy, drawing on recent research that includes both child and parent perspectives. Topics will include the impact of impaired selective motor control, atypical muscle tone, muscle weakness, and environmental constraints. Particular attention will be given to the role of contextual and environmental factors, which remain underexplored in current research.
The session will also introduce the Living-Lab approach, an open innovation model embedded in real-life settings that uses iterative feedback to address practical challenges. The webinar will discuss the potential of this approach to support sustainable improvements in physical activity opportunities for children with cerebral palsy.
The event is relevant for researchers and students in disability, sport, health, and physical activity; practitioners working with children and families; and individuals interested in innovative research methods and inclusive practice. The webinar will conclude with a discussion on future directions for research and applied work in this area.
More information: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/online-webinar-by-the-ljmu-disspa-network-tickets-1981097583201
