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Jiang X, Guo J, Chen Z. Exploring an athletic talent development environment in China: A case study of a sport-friendly high school. PSYCHOLOGY OF SPORT AND EXERCISE 2024; 74:102696. [PMID: 38945187 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2024.102696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 06/24/2024] [Accepted: 06/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
This case study utilized the holistic ecological approach (HEA) to explore a successful athletic talent development environment (ATDE) in China. As a case, we selected a basketball team in one Shanghai sport-friendly high school with outstanding individual and team achievements and aimed at (a) describing the ATDE, and (b) identifying environmental success factors (ESF). Using participant observations, document analysis, informal talks, and formal interviews with key stakeholders, including coaches, teachers, athletes, and administrators from sports and education departments, we derived the ATDE and ESF empirical models. The findings showed that (a) the ATDE demonstrated effective interactions between macro- and micro-levels, and (b) the experienced head coach, dedicated assistant coach, and support from athletes' parents contributed to overcoming barriers of preconditions (e.g., limited financial and human resources) within the environment. Further, a coherent and robust cultural paradigm led by the head coach helped the environment maintain its success for a long period. Although some features are similar to successful ATDEs in other countries, unique characteristics (e.g., not prioritizing athletes' autonomy) specific to this ATDE within the Chinese cultural context have been identified. Our findings supplement current studies on ATDEs using the HEA and reflect the environment within Chinese context, offering insights for researchers and practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianyong Jiang
- Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; School of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jinyang Guo
- Department of Physical Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; School of Education, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zuosong Chen
- School of Kinesiology and Health, Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing, China; Emerging Interdisciplinary Platform for Medicine and Engineering in Sports, Beijing, China.
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Graeme LG, Hall K, Olive LS, Greenwood CJ, Couston N, Mattingley S, Francis LM, Hoare E, Rice S, Bos J, Harris E, Youssef GJ. Comparing the healthy development of youth Australian Rules Footballers across talent development and community settings. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med 2024; 10:e001799. [PMID: 38736643 PMCID: PMC11086475 DOI: 10.1136/bmjsem-2023-001799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Objectives This study aimed to compare talent development athletes to community-level athletes in Australian Rules Football across various markers of healthy youth development. Methods Survey data were collected from 363 youth athletes (126 women, 232 men, 5 not reported; Mage=18.69 years, SDage=2.62 years, age range 16-25 years) playing Australian Rules Football at a talent development (recruited from Australian Football League Talent Pathway, n=220) or community (n=143) level. Measures included markers of physical health (eg, general health, risk-taking behaviours), psychological and emotional well-being (eg, mental health symptoms, life satisfaction), family and social relationships (eg, social support, relationship status), educational and occupational attainment/engagement (eg, career satisfaction, education), ethical behaviour (eg, moral self-image), civic engagement, life skills (eg, self-mastery, coping), and demographics. Results Based on regression models, relative to community-level athletes, talent development athletes reported better physical health (d=0.51), lower injury rates (OR=0.50) and less problematic drug use (d=-0.46). Talent development athletes also reported better psychological and emotional well-being, evidenced by lower stress (d=-0.30), higher life satisfaction (d=0.47) and less problematic gambling (d=-0.34). Additionally, talent development athletes reported higher family support (d=0.49), lower likelihood of poor educational outcomes (less than expected educational stage; OR=0.37), lower intention to complete less than year 12 education (OR=0.18), higher career satisfaction (d=0.42), higher self-mastery (d=0.37) and higher perfectionistic striving (d=0.59). Conclusion Findings demonstrate markers of healthier development within talent development athletes relative to community athlete peers. Investment in community-level sports may be warranted to improve healthy development. However, further causal evidence is required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liam G Graeme
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, SEED Lifespan Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
| | - Kate Hall
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, SEED Lifespan Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
- Australian Football League, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lisa S Olive
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, SEED Lifespan Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
- Elite Sports Mental Health, Orygen, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher J Greenwood
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, SEED Lifespan Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Adolescent Health, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nicky Couston
- Australian Football League, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sophie Mattingley
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, SEED Lifespan Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lauren M Francis
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, SEED Lifespan Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
| | - Erin Hoare
- Australian Football League, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Institute for Mental and Physical Health and Clinical Translation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
| | - Simon Rice
- Elite Sports Mental Health, Orygen, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jason Bos
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, SEED Lifespan Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
| | - Emma Harris
- Australian Football League, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - George J Youssef
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, SEED Lifespan Strategic Research Centre, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
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Güllich A, Barth M. Effects of Early Talent Promotion on Junior and Senior Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports Med 2024; 54:697-710. [PMID: 37921913 PMCID: PMC10978645 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-023-01957-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Does younger involvement in talent promotion programs (TPPs) facilitate the attainment of higher performance levels? This question is the subject of the present meta-analysis. Many national sport systems have established TPPs such as federations' junior squads (including under-age selection teams) and youth sport academies, and many are making expanding investments in TPPs. TPPs seek to select the most advanced youth high performers at young ages, around puberty or younger, and then strive to further accelerate their performance development. However, studies show 25-55% annual athlete turnover within TPPs. In this context, accelerated biological maturation (puberty, growth spurt), high relative age within one's birth year, and intensified sport-specific childhood/adolescent practice may boost rapid junior performance, but the effects diminish or are reversed by adulthood. Moreover, expanded opportunity costs and risks (time demands, injury, burnout) imposed on young TPP participants may impair their long-term development and even prematurely terminate their career. OBJECTIVE We aimed to provide robust and generalizable evidence on the effects of early talent promotion on junior and senior performance through a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS A systematic literature search was conducted 18/03-03/04/2023 in SPORTDiscus, ProQuest, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, WorldCat, and Google Scholar. We searched for original studies that compared athletes across defined higher and lower performance levels within defined types of sports, age categories, and sexes, regarding their age at commencement of TPP involvement and reported effect sizes or data needed to compute effects sizes. Mean meta-analytic Cohen's d ¯ was computed separately for junior and senior athletes. Quality of evidence was evaluated using the mixed-methods appraisal tool. RESULTS The search yielded k = 51 effect sizes from N = 6233 athletes from a wide range of countries and sports, 82% male and 18% female, from 2009 to 2022. The central finding is that effects on short-term junior performance versus long-term senior performance are opposite, whereby higher-performing junior athletes began TPP involvement at younger ages than lower-performing junior athletes, d ¯ = - 0.53. In contrast, higher-performing senior athletes began TPP involvement at older ages than lower-performing senior athletes, d ¯ = 0.56. The findings are robust across different TPPs (federation's junior squad/selection team, youth academy), individual and team sports, and performance levels compared (international, national, regional). The quality of primary studies was high. DISCUSSION The findings are consistent with recent meta-analytic evidence that participation patterns predicting early junior success versus long-term senior success are opposite (starting age, main-sport and other-sports practice amounts, age to reach performance 'milestones'). We discuss theoretical and practical implications of potential selection and 'treatment' effects of TPPs. CONCLUSIONS Consistent across different populations, early TPP involvement is positively correlated with short-term junior performance but is negatively correlated with long-term senior performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arne Güllich
- Department of Sports Science, RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Erwin-Schrödinger-Straße 57, 67663, Kaiserslautern, Germany.
| | - Michael Barth
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Fürstenweg 185, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
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Martín-Rodríguez A, Belinchón-deMiguel P, Rubio-Zarapuz A, Tornero-Aguilera JF, Martínez-Guardado I, Villanueva-Tobaldo CV, Clemente-Suárez VJ. Advances in Understanding the Interplay between Dietary Practices, Body Composition, and Sports Performance in Athletes. Nutrients 2024; 16:571. [PMID: 38398895 PMCID: PMC10892519 DOI: 10.3390/nu16040571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The dietary practices of athletes play a crucial role in shaping their body composition, influencing sports performance, training adaptations, and overall health. However, despite the widely acknowledged significance of dietary intake in athletic success, there exists a gap in our understanding of the intricate relationships between nutrition, body composition, and performance. Furthermore, emerging evidence suggests that many athletes fail to adopt optimal nutritional practices, which can impede their potential achievements. In response, this Special Issue seeks to gather research papers that delve into athletes' dietary practices and their potential impacts on body composition and sports performance. Additionally, studies focusing on interventions aimed at optimizing dietary habits are encouraged. This paper outlines the key aspects and points that will be developed in the ensuing articles of this Special Issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Martín-Rodríguez
- Faculty of Sports Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain; (A.M.-R.); (A.R.-Z.); (V.J.C.-S.)
| | - Pedro Belinchón-deMiguel
- Faculty of Biomedical and Health Sciences, Department of Nursing and Nutrition, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain;
| | - Alejandro Rubio-Zarapuz
- Faculty of Sports Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain; (A.M.-R.); (A.R.-Z.); (V.J.C.-S.)
| | - Jose Francisco Tornero-Aguilera
- Faculty of Sports Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain; (A.M.-R.); (A.R.-Z.); (V.J.C.-S.)
| | - Ismael Martínez-Guardado
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Camilo José Cela University, C. Castillo de Alarcón, 49, Villafranca del Castillo, 28692 Madrid, Spain;
| | | | - Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez
- Faculty of Sports Sciences, Universidad Europea de Madrid, 28670 Villaviciosa de Odón, Spain; (A.M.-R.); (A.R.-Z.); (V.J.C.-S.)
- Grupo de Investigación en Cultura, Educación y Sociedad, Universidad de la Costa, Barranquilla 080002, Colombia
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Sølvberg N, Torstveit MK, Mountjoy M, Rosenvinge JH, Pettersen G, Sundgot-Borgen J. Sexual harassment and abuse; disclosure and awareness of report- and support resources in Norwegian sport- and non-sport high schools: a prospective exploratory study. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1168423. [PMID: 37519358 PMCID: PMC10380924 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1168423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose To examine high school students' disclosure of sexual harassment and abuse (SHA), and awareness of reporting systems and support mechanisms in school among students, leaders, and coaches. Method Norwegian 17-year-old high school elite athletes (n = 630), recreational athletes (n = 307), and reference students (n = 263) responded to an online questionnaire at two measurement points, 1 year apart (T1 and T2). Leaders and coaches (n = 249) at the participating high schools responded to an adapted version of the questionnaire at T1. Data were analyzed using ANOVA or Welch test, Pearson Chi-Square test, and McNemar test. Results In total, 11.4 and 34.0% of the adolescents were aware of reporting systems and support mechanisms, respectively, in their schools. Nearly all the leaders, and half of the coaches were aware of these resources. Among the adolescents with lifetime experience of SHA, 20.1% had disclosed their experiences to someone. Girls disclosed more frequently than boys. The elite- and recreational athletes disclosed less often compared with the reference students. A negative change from T1 to T2 was found in disclosure of SHA and awareness of support mechanisms. At T2, 6.5% of the adolescents reported that their school had implemented measures against SHA during the last 12 months. Conclusion The results emphasize a need for institutional effort to improve information about available report- and support resources and increase the relevance of use of such systems for adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Sølvberg
- Department of Sports Medicine, The Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Monica Klungland Torstveit
- Department of Sport Science and Physical Education, Faculty of Health and Sport Science, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway
| | - Margo Mountjoy
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada
- International Olympic Committee Working Group on the Prevention of Harassment and Abuse in Sport, Lausanne, Switzerland
- International Research Network on Violence and Integrity in Sport, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jan H. Rosenvinge
- Department of Psychology, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Gunn Pettersen
- Department of Health and Care Sciences, UiT - The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
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Mthombeni S, Coopoo Y, Noorbhai H. Factors promoting and hindering sporting success among South African former Olympians from historically disadvantaged areas. SOUTH AFRICAN JOURNAL OF SPORTS MEDICINE 2023; 35:v35i1a15068. [PMID: 38249767 PMCID: PMC10798609 DOI: 10.17159/2078-516x/2023/v35i1a15068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
There are various contributing factors to sporting success among elite athletes, including Olympians. The purpose of this paper was to investigate the enablers and/or barriers to sporting success among South African former Olympians from historically disadvantaged areas (HDAs) using the SPLISS framework. This would enable an understanding of the factors that lead to sporting success among athletes from HDAs. A qualitative research design was employed for this study, whereby semi-structured interviews were conducted among 15 former Olympians who represented South Africa between the 1992 and 2016 Olympic Games. The ATLAS.ti (version 22) software tool was used to analyse the data. The study found that athletes from HDAs attributed their sporting success to the functional competition structure, sports access at community level, access to scholarships and bursaries to elite schools/universities, good coaching support and mentorship, access to local and international competitions, as well as community and peer athlete support. The highest barriers reported by athletes were inadequate financial support, a dysfunctional school sport system, lack of sports facilities, equipment and transport system, poor post-career and scientific support. Elite athletes from HDAs need consistent financial support, school/foundation level sport access, quality sports facilities, equipment, and reliable transport to training and competitions, post-career, as well as scientific support to achieve their full potential and attain international sporting success.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Mthombeni
- Department of Sport and Movement Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Y Coopoo
- Department of Sport and Movement Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - H Noorbhai
- Department of Sport and Movement Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa
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Jacobsson J, Mirkovic D, Hansson PO, Lundqvist C, Mann RH, Tranaeus U. Youth athletes at Swedish sports high schools with an athletics specialism emphasise environmental support for injury risk management: a focus group study. BMJ Open Sport Exerc Med 2023; 9:e001527. [PMID: 37200774 PMCID: PMC10186414 DOI: 10.1136/bmjsem-2022-001527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
In this study, we examined knowledge and understanding of sport-related injuries among youth athletics (track and field) athletes and assessed their needs in managing any health problems. Qualitative data were collected via 12 focus groups with youth athletes (16-19 years) studying at Swedish sports high schools with an athletics specialism. All focus group discussions were audiorecorded and transcribed before being analysed using a thematic analysis approach. Four researchers independently reviewed the transcripts, generated codes and developed themes. Three overarching themes related to the athletes' knowledge and understanding of sport-related injury were developed: (1) awareness of injuries, (2) perception of injuries, and (3) factors contributing to injuries. The youth athletes were typically uncertain about how to acknowledge a sport-related injury. They expressed that knowledge about injuries was obtained in part by reflecting on the lived experiences of their peers. It was also demonstrated that there appears to be a 'culture of acceptance' regarding injury occurrence. In contrast, causes of injuries were viewed as dependent on multiple factors (eg, lack of context-specific knowledge about training practices). Regarding athletes' needs in managing injuries, an additional three themes were developed: (1) creating functioning elite sports environments, (2) application of knowledge and (3) fostering athletes. An apparent lack of structure and organisation related to the school environment was identified as an important issue to review to create opportunities for sustainable athletic development. The study identified areas that can be improved in Swedish sports high schools with an athletic specialism and could be applied in other youth sports contexts. The results of this study guide school stakeholders, alongside the sport governing bodies who have the mandate to influence activities in youth sports contexts, whereby special attention should be directed towards improving the social environment for youth athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny Jacobsson
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linkoping, Sweden
- Athletics Research Center, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Swedish Athletics Federation, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | - Per-Olof Hansson
- Athletics Research Center, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Management and Engineering, Linköping University, Linkoping, Sweden
| | - Carolina Lundqvist
- Athletics Research Center, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Learning, Linkoping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Robert Henry Mann
- Children's Health and Exercise Research Centre, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Ulrika Tranaeus
- The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden
- Sport Performance and Exercise Research & Innovation Center - Stockholm, SPERIC-S, GIH, Stockholm, Sweden
- Unit of Intervention and Implementation for Worker Health, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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Lundqvist C, Schary DP, Eklöf E, Zand S, Jacobsson J. Elite lean athletes at sports high schools face multiple risks for mental health concerns and are in need of psychosocial support. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0284725. [PMID: 37083747 PMCID: PMC10121048 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The combined demands on an adolescence in an elite sports high school can negatively affect mental health (eg, stress, burnout, depression, anxiety). Late adolescence is also when elite-striving athletes typically transition from junior-to-senior level programs. In addition, adolescent elite lean sports athletes have an increased risk of suffering from abnormal eating pathology. The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceived psychosocial needs that young, elite-striving lean sports athletes in sports high schools find essential for their sports careers and transition from junior-to-senior level sports. Eight Swedish elite-striving lean sports athletes (2 men and 6 women; median age 17.0 years, range: 16-18 years) participated in this study and sports represented were athletics (n = 1), gymnastics (n = 3), and wrestling (n = 4). Semi-structured interviews were performed, and data was analyzed by thematic analysis. Results showed integration, both in the present situation and for the future, as an overarching theme perceived as essential for a successful elite sports career over time. Three additional themes were also identified: (a) Psychosocial stress (combined performance demands, diminished social life, sports-related body weight demands, taboo talking about eating disorders, injuries), (b) Protective psychosocial factors (social support and psychological safety, communication and coordination school and sports, self-care/health behaviors), and (c) support needs junior-to-senior transition (career advice and mentorship, individualized support). As a result, elite-striving, lean sports athletes attending sports high schools need additional support to excel in their academic and athletic endeavors. Sports developmental programs continue to provide inadequate support before and during the junior-to-senior level transition. Similarly, despite the continued calls for reducing the stigma of mental health, athletes in sports schools still encounter barriers from coaches and peers, making the subject taboo, particularly surrounding eating pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carolina Lundqvist
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Athletics Research Center, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - David P Schary
- Department of Physical Education, Sport and Human Performance, Winthrop University, Rock Hill, SC, United States of America
| | - Emelie Eklöf
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Sofia Zand
- Department of Behavioral Sciences and Learning, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
| | - Jenny Jacobsson
- Athletics Research Center, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
- Department of Health, Medicine and Caring Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden
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Thompson F, Rongen F, Cowburn I, Till K. A case study of the features and holistic athlete impacts of a UK sports-friendly school: Student-athlete, coach and teacher perspectives. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0278401. [PMID: 36449512 PMCID: PMC9710759 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
In order to understand the features of sport schools and their impacts on the holistic development of student-athletes, it is important to take into account the voice of multiple stakeholders central to the programmes (student-athletes, coaches, teachers). Through a case-study approach, using five focus groups, with 19 student-athletes, and six semi-structured interviews with three coaches and three dual coach and teachers, this study explored the perceived impacts of one sport-friendly school (pseudonym-"Salkeld High") on holistic athlete development and the features that drove these impacts. Using a critical realist approach to thematic analysis, findings indicated a multitude of immediate, intermediate and long-term positive and negative impacts associated with academic/vocational (e.g., academic security vs. second/third choice university), athletic/physical (e.g., performance development vs. injuries), psychosocial (e.g., social skills vs. social scarifies) and psychological (e.g., sport confidence vs. performance pressure) development of "Salkeld High" student-athletes. Overall, "Salkeld High" was viewed as an integrated school environment for sport, academics, and boarding, where academic (e.g., extra-tutoring), athletic (e.g., high volume/frequency of training), and psychosocial/psychological (e.g., pastoral services) features are all in one location. The student-athletes tended to get a well-rounded, balanced holistic experience. However, the intensified and challenging nature of involvement did present some negative impacts that stakeholders should be aware of when designing, implementing, and evaluating sport-friendly school programmes. Furthermore, although "Salkeld High" was seen as an integrated environment within the school, it could do better at collaborating with wider sporting structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ffion Thompson
- Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom
- * E-mail:
| | - Fieke Rongen
- Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Ian Cowburn
- Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin Till
- Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom
- Leeds Rhinos Rugby League Club, Leeds, United Kingdom
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