Participation experiences of young people with limb difference in sports and recreation in Australia: a qualitative study

Abstract

Purpose: The primary objective was to investigate the experiences of young people with limb difference participating in sports and recreation. Materials and methods: A qualitative study using an interpretive description approach was undertaken with nine family dyads (n = 9 young people; n = 9 parents) recruited across Australia via convenience sampling. Data were collected via 18 semi-structured interviews and analysed in line with the interpretive description approach. Young people were aged between 9-16 years (mean 14 y 1 m), with unilateral (n = 7) or bilateral (n = 2) limb differences. All participating parents were mothers. Findings: Three themes were interpreted from the data: (1) “Just treat me like everyone else”: equitable participation in sports and recreation, (2) “Provide them opportunities and let them take the lead”: genuine choice within activities, and (3) “I wish they were easier to get”: the impact of sports-specific prostheses on participation. Facilitators and barriers to participation were mapped to illustrate the socio-ecological levels at which these influences operate, and a conceptual model was developed to guide application in practice. Conclusions: This study provides guidance for practitioners, coaches, and families on how to support participation for young people with limb difference, and future research may operationalise this conceptual model into policy or practice interventions.