​Background

EOtC is curricular education that regularly takes place outside the school buildings. It often involves activity and play in the nearby areas of the school and in green environments. Research shows that EOtC increases physical activity and school wellbeing in children without disabilities. Children with disabilities are in risk of having low physical activity levels and participate less in school activities. However, there is a lack of knowledge of the use of EOtC in special schools.

MOVEOUT-SPECIAL is based on the ongoing research project MOVEOUT which evaluates the effect of EOtC for one school year in elementary schools.

Objective

The overall objective in MOVEOUT-SPECIAL is to adapt and evaluate EOtC guidelines in special schools to strengthen physical activity and wellbeing in children with disabilities.

Method

In MOVEOUT-SPECIAL EOtC is adapted in cocreation with teachers, students, and experts in the fields of disability, adapted physical activity, nature interpretation and culture promotion. Next, the feasibility of MOVEOUT-SPECIAL is evaluated. The project consists of the following 3 sub-studies.

1. The first sub-study will map the current knowledge of outdoor education in special school settings through a scoping review and national survey.
2. The second sub-study will examine the validity of SENS motion accelerometer data in relation to measuring physical activity among children and adolescents with disabilities.
3. The third sub-study will adapt the MOVEOUT intervention to fit special schools through a cocreation process.
4. The fourth sub-study will evaluate the feasibility of MOVEOUT-SPECIAL in two special schools.

​Time frame

The research project will run from January 2023 to December 2026.

Funding

The research project is funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation with 4.8 million DKK.

Contact person: Professor Mette Aadahl, mette.aadahl@regionh.dk

​Project manager​

Michelle Stahlhut

Project team​

​Mads Bølling

Mette Aadahl

Peter Elsborg

Thea Toft Amholt

Publications

Stage A, Fromberg EB, Elsborg P, Kristensen MR, Mikkelsen S, Bølling M, Aadahl M, Stahlhut, M. (2026). Validation of an accelerometer system for activity monitoring in children with functional disabilities. Eur J Pediatr 185, 78. (link​)

​Stahlhut M, Amholt TT, Barfod K, Mikkelsen S, Mall C, Elsborg P, Aadahl M, Bølling M. (2025). Education outside the classroom for children with neurodevelopmental disorders in special needs education settings – A scoping review. International Journal of Educational Research. (link)