10/11/2026
Ottawa, Ontario — Tuesday November 10, 2026
Physical activity helps children build strength, confidence, and friendships. But for children with bleeding disorders or those taking blood-thinning medication, physical contact can increase the risk of injury and bleeding. Current activity classifications are based largely on expert opinion, with limited objective evidence showing how much contact children experience during actual participation.
A new study from Pat Longmuir recorded more than 800 children taking part in five common activities to replace perceived risk with direct measurements of physical contact. By analyzing nearly 3,000 significant contacts, the team gathered real-world information that could inform future activity guidance.
“An activity’s name or reputation doesn’t always tell us how much contact a child is likely to experience when they take part. By studying what actually happens during participation, we can begin building more useful guidance for children, families, and care teams.”- Dr. Pat Longmuir
Contact levels did not always match current risk classifications. Skating had the highest contact rate despite being considered a moderate-risk activity. Contact also varied within the same activity: karate classes involving sparring had much more contact than non-sparring classes, showing how a broad activity classification may not tell families what really happens during participation.
While the study did not directly measure bleeding risk, its video analysis provides a foundation for future research. By better understanding how contact differs across activities, researchers can help families and care teams weigh risks more accurately and support children in participating safely and confidently.