Coaches’ Perceptions of Mental Toughness in Adolescent Athletes: A Phenomenological Exploration

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Johannes Raabe ◽  
E. Earlynn Lauer ◽  
Matthew P. Bejar
Keyword(s):  
Sport Participation ◽  
Youth Sport ◽  
Mental Toughness ◽  
Thematic Structure ◽  
Adolescent Athletes ◽  
Youth Athletes ◽  
Sport Coaches ◽  
Hermeneutic Process ◽  
Phenomenological Exploration

Mental toughness (MT) enables individuals to thrive in demanding situations; however, current conceptualizations of MT are primarily based on research with elite adult athletes. Thus, the purpose of the current study was to explore youth sport coaches’ perceptions of mentally tough adolescent athletes with whom they have worked. Phenomenological interviews were conducted with 14 youth sport coaches (nine men and five women). Using a hermeneutic process, a thematic structure comprising five themes was developed: (a) Youth athletes demonstrate their MT by overcoming various obstacles, (b) mentally tough youth athletes are highly self-determined with respect to their sport participation, (c) mentally tough youth athletes control their emotions in competition, (d) mentally tough youth athletes focus on aspects that facilitate their performance, and (e) mentally tough youth athletes are good teammates. These findings not only complement existing conceptualizations of MT but also highlight important distinctions in the manifestation of the construct in early to middle adolescents.

Integrating Mental Skills and Strategies Into Youth Sport Training: A Tool for Coaches

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca A. Zakrajsek ◽  
E. Earlynn Lauer ◽  
Kimberly J. Bodey
Keyword(s):  
Personal Development ◽  
Sport Participation ◽  
Performance Enhancement ◽  
Developmentally Appropriate ◽  
Youth Sport ◽  
Mental Skills ◽  
Youth Athletes ◽  
Sport Training ◽  
International Sport ◽  
Sport Coaches

Youth sport has traditionally focused on developing athletes physically, technically, and tactically; however, it is important to consider the purposeful development of mental and emotional sport skills for these competitors. Youth athletes experience various stressors within their sport participation that impact their ability to successfully manage the sport environment. Youth sport coaches have a tremendous influence on their athletes and are in a position to help them develop the necessary skills to effectively confront the stress they experience. In addition, the International Sport Coaching Framework identifies six primary functions of coaches to help “fulfil the core purpose of guiding improvement and development” of youth athletes (International Council for Coaching Excellence, 2013, p. 16). This article outlines the developmental stage considerations for working with youth athletes and a tool coaches can use to integrate mental skills development strategies into sport practices. Utilizing the evidence-based steps within this article fosters a holistic and developmentally appropriate approach to performance enhancement and personal development, as both are important objectives for youth sport coaches.

Youth athletes' sustained involvement in elite sport: An exploratory examination of elements affecting their athletic participation

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 658-673 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elodie Wendling ◽  
Meredith Flaherty ◽  
Michael Sagas ◽  
Kyriaki Kaplanidou
Keyword(s):  
Peer Relationships ◽  
Extrinsic Motivation ◽  
Sport Participation ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Youth Sport ◽  
Underlying Structure ◽  
Elite Sport ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Youth Athletes ◽  
The Usa

In this exploratory study, we first intended to identify the underlying structure of components affecting the sport participation of 1258 elite youth athletes from the USA through a principal component analysis of 23 items related to motives and barriers to participation and created for this study. A six-component solution was proposed, including college and professional aspirations and competence beliefs, coach and peer relationships, pressures from parents and coach, intrinsic and self-determined extrinsic motivation, external barriers, and non–self-determined extrinsic motivation. Noteworthy differences by age, gender, and race on those retained components were also reported. Lastly, results of hierarchical regression analyses indicated that 28% of the variance in sport enjoyment was explained by all retained components. Given the rapid growth of travel teams, this study provides a timely cross-sectional and multisport assessment of the state of elite youth sport in the USA. In consideration of optimistic outcomes observed in this study compared to alarming attrition trends commonly found in the elite youth sport environment, this study may serve as a reference as to the elements that influence sustained participation that is indispensable in today's youth sport landscape. Results also provided important theoretical contributions with respect to motivational processes underlying elite sport participation. Practical implications with regards to the influence of intrapersonal, interpersonal, and barrier elements on elite sport participation are also presented.

Female and male youth sport coaches’ perceptions of teaching sportspersonship to female and male athletes

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 619-628 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole D Bolter ◽  
Shelley M Lucas
Keyword(s):  
Youth Development ◽  
Sport Participation ◽  
Youth Sport ◽  
Young Athletes ◽  
Male Athletes ◽  
Male Youth ◽  
Development Framework ◽  
Expected Outcome ◽  
Youth Sport Participation ◽  
Sport Coaches

According to the positive youth development framework, sportspersonship and character development is an expected outcome from participation in youth sport. Previous studies have shown mixed results in terms of how gender affects young athletes’ sportspersonship, suggesting it is important to explore how boys and girls are taught about sportspersonship by their coaches. In this study, we interviewed six female and six male youth sport coaches who had coached both girls’ and boys’ teams at recreational and competitive levels to examine coaches’ expectations regarding sportspersonship, with a specific focus on those beliefs associated with gender. Our analysis indicated that gender does matter, as represented in the two emergent higher-order themes—(a) Observations of Athletes’ Sportspersonship Behaviors and (b) Teaching Sportspersonship to Girls and Boys—representative of two and four lower-order themes, respectively. Results showed that gender mattered in terms of coaches’ reported strategies for teaching about sportspersonship, suggesting that youth sport participation builds gendered character.

Development and Implementation of an Autonomy Supportive Training Program among Youth Sport Coaches

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-177 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jody Langdon ◽  
Brandonn S. Harris ◽  
Glenn P. Burdette ◽  
Sara Rothberger
Keyword(s):  
Training Program ◽  
Autonomy Support ◽  
Training Session ◽  
Youth Sport ◽  
Self Determination Theory ◽  
Initial Training ◽  
Youth Athletes ◽  
Basic Tenet ◽  
Sport Coaches ◽  
Perceived Autonomy Support

Studying perceived autonomy support, a basic tenet of self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000), provides some understanding as to how coaches can more positively influence youth athletes to enjoy and persist in youth sport. Borrowing insights from success in physical education and coaching-oriented interventions, the purpose of this paper was to highlight positive aspects and challenges of an innovative youth sport autonomy supportive training program for coaches. Positives included the initial training session and the use of an online training component. Challenges were the structure of the season, other coaches, and possibly the age of the athletes. Future training programs in youth sport coaching should increase in duration, provide specific examples of how to implement autonomy supportive coaching behaviors, as well as address solutions to the time constraints of the youth sport setting.

scholarly journals Canadian High School Coaches’ Experiences, Insights, and Perceived Roles With Sport-Related Concussions

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 285-297 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey G. Caron ◽  
Gordon A. Bloom ◽  
Andrew Bennie
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Youth Sport ◽  
Sports Media ◽  
Youth Athletes ◽  
Case Study Design ◽  
High School Coaches ◽  
Sport Coaches

There is a need to improve concussion education and prevention efforts for youth athletes and those responsible for their care. The purpose of this study was to understand Canadian high school coaches’ insights and perceptions of concussions. Using a case study design, eight high school coaches were interviewed and the data were analysed using a hierarchical content analysis. Findings indicated that participants primarily acquired information about concussions through their own experiences as athletes and parents, and from reports in the sports media. The coaches’ felt their role with concussions was to teach athletes safety techniques during practices and competitions and to encourage them to accurately report their concussion symptoms. In addition, participants forwarded a number of recommendations to improve the dissemination of information to coaches. Results from this study will add to a limited body of concussion research with youth sport coaches. Participants’ insights provide researchers and clinicians with information about coaches’ perceived role with sport-related concussions.

scholarly journals DOES GEOGRAPHICAL REGION IMPACT PARENTS’ PERCEPTIONS TOWARDS YOUTH SPORT SPECIALIZATION?

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7_suppl3) ◽  
pp. 2325967121S0009
Author(s):  
Amanda Arnold ◽  
Ryan Zarzycki ◽  
Mathew Failla
Keyword(s):  
Injury Risk ◽  
Sport Participation ◽  
Youth Sports ◽  
Youth Sport ◽  
Census Bureau ◽  
Geographical Region ◽  
The South ◽  
Youth Athletes ◽  
The North ◽  
Youth Sport Participation

Background: Two billion U.S. healthcare dollars are spent on youth sports injuries each year. This staggering figure is projected to increase as athletes are sustaining more sport-related injuries and are specializing in a single sport at younger ages than ever before. Sport specialization is a modifiable injury risk factor unique to youth athlete populations. Parents are a group of key stakeholders whose knowledge and beliefs likely impact youth sport participation, however a paucity of research exists in this area. Purpose: To assess the differences in perceptions of parents on youth sport participation and specialization based on geographical region. Methods: Parents of children, ages 8-18 years, who participate in organized sports were surveyed for this study. Electronic surveys with a total of 40 questions were circulated via team/organization mailing lists and social media. Geographic regions were described as either South or North based on divisions from the U.S. Census Bureau. Sport specialization was defined as an athlete meeting >2 of the following 3 criteria: participates in one sport to the exclusion of other sports, participates in sport-specific lessons, participates on >2 teams in a single sport. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analyses were used to compare perceptions of parents with specialized and non-specialized athletes across different geographical regions. Results: Three-hundred and seventy-one responses were collected (South=204, North=167). Parents from the South reported a higher number of specialized athletes as compared to parents from the North (54% vs 38%; P=0.003). Regardless of geographical region, most parents did not think specialization had a positive impact on a youth athlete’s development ( P=0.307) or their future in that sport ( P=0.086) (Figures 1 & 2). Parents from the South did select ‘Potential to earn a college scholarship’ as a motivator for youth sport specialization more often when compared to parents from the North (30% vs 17%; P=0.002). Conclusion: Regional differences exist in the percentage of specialized youth athletes participating in organized sport. Parental knowledge of the risks and benefits of youth sport specialization does not appear to drive these observed differences. Earning a college scholarship was selected more frequently as a reason for specialization in the South, indicating that societal or socioeconomic factors may be present. Further research is needed to determine the underlying factors driving youth sport specialization in the U.S. Figures: [Figure: see text][Figure: see text] References: Bell DR PE, Trigsted SM, Hetzel S, McGuine TA and Brooks MA. Prevalence of Sport Specialization in High School Athletics: A 1-Year Observational Study. Am J Sports Med. 2016;44(6):1469-1474. Bell DR, Post EG, Trigsted SM, Schaefer DA, McGuine TA, Brooks MA. Parents’ Awareness and Perceptions of Sport Specialization and Injury Prevention Recommendations. Clin J Sport Med. 2018. Brooks MA, Post EG, Trigsted SM, et al. Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs of Youth Club Athletes Toward Sport Specialization and Sport Participation. Orthop J Sports Med. 2018;6(5). Gregory S. How Kids’ Sports became a $15 Billion Industry. TIME. 2017;190(9). Jayanthi NA, LaBella CR, Fischer D, Pasulka J, Dugas LR. Sports-specialized intensive training and the risk of injury in young athletes: a clinical case-control study. Am J Sports Med. 2015;43(4):794-801. LaPrade RF, Agel J, Baker J, et al. AOSSM Early Sport Specialization Consensus Statement. Orthop J Sports Med. 2016;4(4). Malina RM. Early sport specialization: roots, effectiveness, risks. Curr Sports Med Rep. 2010;9(6):364-371. McGuine TA, Post EG, Hetzel SJ, Brooks MA, Trigsted S, Bell DR. A Prospective Study on the Effect of Sport Specialization on Lower Extremity Injury Rates in High School Athletes. Am J Sports Med. 2017;45(12): 2706-2712. Myer GD, Jayanthi N, Difiori JP, et al. Sport Specialization, Part I: Does Early Sports Specialization Increase Negative Outcomes and Reduce the Opportunity for Success in Young Athletes? Sports Health.2015;7(5):437-442. Pasulka J, Jayanthi N, McCann A, Dugas LR, LaBella C. Specialization patterns across various youth sports and relationship to injury risk. Phys Sportsmed. 2017;45(3):344-352. Post EG, Trigsted SM, Riekena JW, et al. The Association of Sport Specialization and Training Volume With Injury History in Youth Athletes. Am J Sports Med. 2017;45(6):1405-1412. U.S. Census Bureau. Census Bureau Regions and Divisions with State FIPS Codes. https://www2.census.gov/geo/pdfs/maps-data/maps/reference/us_regdiv.pdf . Accessed June 26, 2020.

scholarly journals INFLUENCE OF A PRE-SEASON COACHES’ EDUCATION WORKSHOP STRATEGY ON ATHLETE INJURY RISK ASSESSMENT

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 2325967119S0002
Author(s):  
Hayley J. Root ◽  
Eleanor M. Beltz ◽  
Lindsay J. DiStefano
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Injury Risk ◽  
Youth Sport ◽  
End User ◽  
Youth Athletes ◽  
Jump Landing ◽  
Education Workshop ◽  
Athlete Injury ◽  
Sport Coaches ◽  
Over Time

Background: Evidence-based preventive training programs (PTPs) used as a pre-participation warm-up for sport have been shown to reduce injury risk in youth athletes; however, injury risk improvements depend on PTP dosage and fidelity, where increased levels of PTP compliance facilitate and sustain greater reductions in injury risk. While coaches represent the best option to facilitate PTPs long term, it is unknown how to best train coaches to ensure effective PTP implementation behavior. In other areas of health behavior research, education strategies tailored specifically to an individual’s needs and interests increase the likelihood of adopting a given behavior. To encourage youth sport coaches to implement PTPs, it may be beneficial to tailor workshops. One way to gauge the impact of an education strategy is to look at end-user outcomes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate changes in athlete injury risk, as measured by the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS), between adolescent basketball and soccer athletes whose coach attended a General pre-season education workshop on PTP implementation compared to a Tailored pre-season education workshop. Methods: A cluster randomized control trial was utilized. Youth soccer and basketball organizations were contacted to participate in a pre-season coaches’ education workshop on PTP implementation. Organizations were randomized into either a General or Tailored workshop. All participating coaches within a given organization attended the same workshop. General workshops contained standardized content including: youth sport injury epidemiology, injury rate and risk reduction benefits of PTPs, and hands-on instruction on how to implement a PTP. Coaches in Tailored workshops completed pre-workshop surveys. The pre-workshop survey contained Likert-style questions on knowledge of and experience with implementing PTPs. Researchers used the results to prioritize and inform content emphasis within the Tailored workshop. For example, if an organization had a high frequency of coaches who reported that they were particularly interested in the sport performance benefits of PTPs, the research team would devote increased time to discussing that particular component. Both the General and Tailored workshop were approximately 1-hour in length but varied in the amount of time spent on different topic areas. Athletes completed a PRE and POST season baseline assessment of injury risk. The injury risk assessment included three trials of a jump-landing task that was evaluated using the Landing Error Scoring System (LESS). The LESS is a valid and reliable clinical movement assessment used to identify high-risk movement patterns during a jump-landing task. LESS scores are based on observable errors, where a higher score indicates a greater number of movement errors and an increased risk of sustaining a lower extremity injury. To complete the task, participants jumped off a 30-cm high box to a distance half of their height and immediately rebounded straight in the air for maximum vertical height. A single, reliable rater graded all trials for PRE and POST. All three trials were averaged together for one composite LESS score at each time point. A mixed model analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to evaluate differences in composite LESS score over time (PRE, POST) between educational workshops (General, Tailored). All data were analyzed using SPSS Version 21.0 with an a priori alpha level of p<0.05. Results: Seventy-seven athletes on 9 teams across 6 different organizations (Coaches’ Workshops: General=5 teams from 4 organizations; Tailored=4 teams from 2 organizations) completed both PRE and POST testing sessions. There were no significant differences between workshop (General, Tailored) and LESS scores at POST (P>0.05). Regardless of workshop LESS scores improved over time ((Mean±SD [95%CI]) Generalized PRE: 5.46±0.10 [4.84, 6.08], Generalized POST: 4.62±0.10 [4.00, 5.25], Tailored PRE: 5.99±0.09[5.40, 6.59], Tailored POST: 5.66±0.09[5.06, 6.25])(P=0.03). Conclusions: Regardless of coaches’ educational workshop strategy, athletes improved movement technique from PRE to POST across a single sport season. These findings suggest that any level of exposure to PTP-related content could have beneficial downstream effects for the end user, or in this case reduced injury risk for youth athletes. Future studies should look to evaluate the content of pre-season coach education workshops in conjunction with tracking fidelity of program delivery in order to optimize efforts to disseminate and implement PTPs for youth sport coaches. [Figure: see text]

“Specializers” versus “Samplers” in Youth Sport: Comparing Experiences and Outcomes

2009 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leisha Strachan ◽  
Jean Côté ◽  
Janice Deakin
Keyword(s):  
Discriminant Function ◽  
Emotional Exhaustion ◽  
Personal Development ◽  
Sport Participation ◽  
Peer Groups ◽  
Youth Sport ◽  
Youth Athletes ◽  
Discriminant Function Analyses

The purpose of the current study was to examine two different trajectories of sport participation and explore any similarities or differences that may result regarding personal development and sport outcomes. Seventy-four youth athletes (40 “specializers” and 34 “samplers”) were recruited for the current study and four measures were employed to assess sport experiences and outcomes. Discriminant function analyses revealed no differences between groups in asset possession or sources of enjoyment however, differences were reported in sport experiences and burnout. The “samplers” reported more experiences regarding the integration of sport and family as well as linkages to the community. Although the “specializers” reported higher levels of physical/emotional exhaustion than did the “samplers,” they also reported more experiences related to diverse peer groups. The differences highlight the importance of examining specific pathways of development in sport to gain a deeper understanding of youths’ experiences in sport.

Coaches' Expectations and Beliefs regarding Benefits of Youth Sport Participation

2000 ◽  
Vol 90 (2) ◽  
pp. 399-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jack J. Lesyk ◽  
Alan S. Kornspan
Keyword(s):  
Life Skills ◽  
Sport Participation ◽  
Youth Sport ◽  
Demographic Information ◽  
Satisfaction Index ◽  
Index Analysis ◽  
Present Purpose ◽  
Youth Sport Participation ◽  
Sport Coaches ◽  
Criterion Variables

Although many have investigated why children participate in sport, little is known about what adults expect children to gain from participation. The present purpose was to examine coaches' expectations of what children should gain from participation in sport and the extent to which coaches believe that these expectations are actually fulfilled. Participants included 109 youth sport coaches who completed a survey packet consisting of a demographic information questionnaire and the Ohio Sport Satisfaction Index. Analysis indicated coaches ranked the variables of having fun, learning life skills, being part of a team, developing confidence, and the excitement of competition as the most important outcomes for the youth they coach. Generally, coaches believe that their expectations are being fulfilled. Coaches' sex and years of coaching were not significantly related to any of the criterion variables in the present study.

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