“It’s not just about football”: experiences of children with cerebral palsy and their parents with frame football

To explore the experiences of children with cerebral palsy (CP) and their parents participating in Frame Football, an adapted sport designed for individuals with walking limitations. A qualitative phenomenological approach was employed, involving semi-structured interviews with eight children (aged 9–16 years, GMFCS Levels II–IV) and ten parents. Data was analyzed using the Framework Method, with coding structured around the F-words for Child Development (Function, Family, Fitness, Fun, Friends, and Future). Interpretive analysis revealed three overarching themes: (1) Redefining Ability through Adapted Play—assistive devices were reimagined as enabling tools, supporting motor function and participation; (2) Belonging through Shared Experience—participants described emotional safety and social connection through shared challenges and teamwork; and (3) Claiming Identity as a Football Player—children embraced athletic roles, building confidence and pride through symbolic and embodied participation in the sport. These experiences spanned multiple F-words domains and highlighted the program’s social and emotional significance. Frame Football offers a meaningful, inclusive context in which children with CP can engage physically, connect socially, and develop positive self-identities. These findings underscore the potential of adapted sports to promote participation, reframe perceptions of ability, and support holistic development within pediatric rehabilitation. Adapted sports like Frame Football empower children with cerebral palsy by promoting physical engagement and reframing assistive devices as enabling tools.Social inclusion and emotional safety in team settings foster belonging, confidence, and peer connection.Sport participation builds identity, helping children see themselves as capable athletes, which supports motivation and well-being.Family-centered, community-based programs complement rehabilitation by addressing holistic developmental needs and encouraging sustained participation. Adapted sports like Frame Football empower children with cerebral palsy by promoting physical engagement and reframing assistive devices as enabling tools. Social inclusion and emotional safety in team settings foster belonging, confidence, and peer connection. Sport participation builds identity, helping children see themselves as capable athletes, which supports motivation and well-being. Family-centered, community-based programs complement rehabilitation by addressing holistic developmental needs and encouraging sustained participation.

本研究旨在探讨脑瘫（CP）儿童及其家长参与框架足球（Frame Football）的体验，框架足球是一款为行走障碍人群设计的改良式运动项目。本研究采用质性现象学研究方法，对8名年龄介于9至16岁、粗大运动功能分级系统（GMFCS）Ⅱ~Ⅳ级的脑瘫儿童，以及10名家长开展半结构化访谈。研究采用框架分析法（Framework Method）对数据进行分析，编码围绕儿童发展相关的六大F词汇展开：功能（Function）、家庭（Family）、体能（Fitness）、乐趣（Fun）、朋友（Friends）与未来（Future）。阐释性分析揭示了三大核心主题：（1）通过改良式运动重新定义能力——辅助器具被重新构想为赋能工具，助力运动功能提升与社会参与；（2）以共同体验构建归属感——参与者提及通过共同应对挑战与团队协作，获得情感安全感与社会联结；（3）确立足球运动员身份认同——儿童通过参与这项运动的符号性与具身性实践，接纳运动员身份，建立自信与自豪感。这些体验涵盖了六大F词汇相关领域，凸显了该项目的社会与情感价值。框架足球为脑瘫儿童提供了富有意义且具包容性的参与场景，使其能够投身身体活动、建立社会联结并塑造积极的自我认同。本研究结果证实，改良运动在促进社会参与、重塑能力认知以及支持儿科康复领域的全面发展方面具有潜力。诸如框架足球这类改良运动，通过推动身体参与并将辅助器具重新定义为赋能工具，为脑瘫儿童赋权。团队场景中的社会包容与情感安全感，有助于培养归属感、自信心与同伴联结。运动参与能够塑造身份认同，帮助儿童将自身视为有能力的运动员，进而提升动机与幸福感。以家庭为中心、基于社区的项目可通过满足全面发展需求并鼓励持续参与，作为康复治疗的有益补充。诸如框架足球这类改良运动，通过推动身体参与并将辅助器具重新定义为赋能工具，为脑瘫儿童赋权。团队场景中的社会包容与情感安全感，有助于培养归属感、自信心与同伴联结。运动参与能够塑造身份认同，帮助儿童将自身视为有能力的运动员，进而提升动机与幸福感。以家庭为中心、基于社区的项目可通过满足全面发展需求并鼓励持续参与，作为康复治疗的有益补充。