"I'm not a volunteer; I'm an equal player": the social factor of quality of life in mixed ability basketball players

Introduction: Despite regulatory and conceptual progress in the field of inclusion, people with disabilities continue to face significant barriers which limit their full participation in mainstream sports and affect key social factors of quality of life. Within this context, the Mixed Ability (MA) model represents an alternative where people with disabilities can be included into grassroots sports settings without the need to modify rules or implement classification or identification systems. This study aimed to analyse perceived changes in the social factor of MA basketball players, as well as to identify current needs and challenges related to their participation. Methods: A qualitative methodology was employed, using individual semi-structured interviews with a convenience sample. Eleven players from a basketball MA club took part, distributed across two men's teams and one women's team. Results: Three categories were identified: "interpersonal relationships", "social inclusion and rights", and "barriers, future, and proposed changes". Participation in MA basketball teams has fostered social connection, greater group cohesion, a natural support network, a sense of belonging, and a perception of equality between people with and without disabilities. However, relevant obstacles were also identified, such as the short duration and infrequent occurrence of training sessions and competitions, the need to rejuvenate the team, and issues related to communication and lack of awareness. Discussion: The findings suggest that MA may contribute to the development of interpersonal relationships, social inclusion, and the recognition of the rights of people with disabilities. At the same time, they point to the importance of addressing structural, social, and organizational conditions in order to support more inclusive and sustainable sporting environments. In this sense, inclusion emerges not as a fixed outcome, but as a dynamic and ongoing process shaped by contextual factors and the quality of relationships within sport.