Purpose: To compare the effect of two different built playground environments on the physical activity levels and support needs of ambulatory children with cerebral palsy during playground play. Methods: Five seven- to eight-year-old children with ambulatory cerebral palsy participated in an alternating treatment, single-subject design. Step activity pattern and support need measurements were obtained on an American with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG)-compliant and non-compliant built playground. Results: Level of support for the hypotheses varied on the basis of the outcome measurement and participant. Four of the five participants showed an increase in the number of steps taken on an ADAAG-compliant playground. All participants exhibited increased medium and/or high activity levels during play on an ADAAG-compliant playground. Three of the five participants demonstrated greater independent play on an ADAAG-compliant playground. Conclusions: Children with ambulatory cerebral palsy (GMFCS II) may benefit from an ADAAG-compliant playground to increase their physical activity and its intensity. Less clear is the affect of an ADAAG-compliant playground on the degree of independent play. Further research is needed to determine the most important variables that positively influence community-based physical activity for children with ambulatory cerebral palsy.
