Conceptions of children and adolescents with physical disabilities about their participation in a sports programme  Lars Kristén Halmstad University and Luleå University of Technology, Sweden  Göran Patriksson Göteborg University, Sweden and  Bengt Fridlund Halmstad University, Sweden Abstract Sport and leisure can be of significant importance for the well-being and social support of children and adolescents with physical disabilities. However, it has been established that organized sport sometimes has a social construction, in that those without dis- abilities are favoured at the expense of others. The aim of this study was, therefore, to describe conceptions of children and adolescents with physical disabilities about their participation in a sports programme. Using questions based on a holistic view of the human being, 20 children and adolescents were interviewed. The method of analysis used was inspired by phenomenography. Six categories emerged: getting new friends, learning, strengthening one’s physique, becoming someone, experiencing nature and having a good time. The findings show the great diversity of sports partici- pation. Further, the conceptions mirror the difficulty of dividing people into groups and of delimiting important areas. The findings highlight the importance of pro- grammes where actors from different sections of society cooperate. Even if the find- ings cannot be generalized, they nevertheless demonstrate that physical activity involves many positive factors both at the individual and at the society level. Key-words: children • phenomenography • physical disabilities • social support • sport Introduction Sport and leisure can be of significant importance for the well-being and social support of children and adolescents with intellectual and functional disabilities (Schüle, 1996) and can be seen as one of many arenas available for social integration. At the same time, it can be established that organized sport sometimes has a social EUROPEAN PHYSICAL EDUCATION REVIEW [1356–336X(200206)8;2] Volume8(2):139–156:024552 EPER Copyright © 2002 North West Counties Physical Education Association and SAGE Publications (London, Thousand Oaks and New Delhi)