Ann-Marie McNutt, Terrence Wade, Matthew Kwan, Sarah Wellman-Earl

Sport participation supports adolescents’ physical health, psychological well‑being and social development (Panza et al., 2020; Benstsson et al., 2025). However, disabled youth often face barriers limiting their engagement (Salar et al., 2024). Developmental coordination disorder (DCD), a neurodevelopmental condition, causes impairments to fine and gross motor skills (Cairney et al., 2015). While previous research has found lower levels of physical activity and reduced motivation among DCD children, the role of psychosocial and socio-environmental factors influencing their decisions to participate in sports remains poorly understood. This study aims to explore the lived experiences of adolescents with motor impairments to better understand the mechanisms shaping their motivation and involvement in sport. Participants will be recruited from the Coordination and Activity Tracking in Children (CATCH) study. Focus groups will be conducted with adolescents aged 12-15 years who were previously classified as probable DCD (<6th percentile). Two groups, consisting of those who participated in recreational sport during childhood and those who did not. Focus groups will follow a semi‑structured format designed to promote discussion on the influences of sport engagement. Interviews will be audio‑recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using inductive thematic analysis, supported by NVivo software. The findings will bridge the gap in the literature by moving beyond quantitative measures of physical activity to explore the lived experiences and contextual influences on sport. The results of this study may be used to create inclusive and equitable programs to promote sport participation for adolescents with motor impairments, improving long-term health outcomes.