Uncovering constraints in sports for children with disability
Insights from Danish parents
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 7514653 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Lotte Stausgaard Skrubbeltrang (0000-0001-7419-1856, University College of Northern Denmark, corresponding author), Sanne Lund Clement (0000-0002-5480-7622, Aalborg University), Niels Nygaard Rossing (0000-0003-0271-0682, Aalborg University), Simon Darcy (0000-0002-5394-2566, University of Technology Sydney) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Volume | 61 |
| Issue | 1 |
| Pages | 178-206 |
| Publication date | 2026-02-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Review for the Sociology of Sport (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1012-6902 • E-ISSN: 1461-7218 |
| Publisher | SAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/10126902251321326 |
| OpenAlex | W4408383708 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 36 |
Participation in sports significantly enhances the physical and psychological wellbeing and social inclusion of children with disability. However, various constraints, including social, cultural, and environmental factors, limit their sports participation. This study investigates Danish parents’ perceptions of barriers to their children's sports participation, focusing on differences based on disability type. Using an online questionnaire distributed via social media, newsletters, and school communication platforms, we collected responses from 1158 parents. The questionnaire covered disability and support needs, participation levels before, during, and after COVID-19 restrictions, constraints to participation, and demographic profiles. Grounded in leisure constraint theory, we identified the primary constraints as: lack of accommodation in sports clubs, insufficient support, inadequate adaptation of activities, difficulties in group participation, untrained coaches, and a shortage of helpers. Correlation analysis revealed that parents of children with psychological/social impairments found these more constraining compared to parents of children with mobility impairments. Most constraints were structural, highlighting omission or lack of adapted initiatives. Children with psychological/social impairments faced the most significant challenges due to inadequate trainer knowledge and inclusion efforts. While initiatives in Denmark have improved participation for children with mobility disability, further efforts are needed to support those with psychological/ social disability
Constraint (computer-aided design · Danish · Developmental psychology · Inclusion (mineral · International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health · Social support · Trainer · Cerebral Palsy and Movement Disorders · Inclusion and Disability in Education and Sport · Psychology · Social Psychology · Spinal Cord Injury Research
Perceived barriers and facilitators to physical activity for children with disability
Using Social Media and Snowball Sampling as an Alternative Recruitment Strategy for Research
A systematic review of physical activity and quality of life and well-being
Negotiating Participation
The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons With Disabilities and Its Effects on the Promotion of Elite Disability Sport
Why Can’t I Play?”
Children with autism in a sport and physical activity context
A level playing field’
I Feel We are Inclusive Enough”
Reconceptualizing barriers to family leisure
Factors Influencing the Physically Active Leisure of Children and Youth
Enabling Inclusive Sport Participation
Recognizing Patterns of Leisure Constraints
Leisure Constraints/Constrained Leisure
Snowball Sampling and Facebook
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |