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Ciaccioni S, Guidotti F, Palumbo F, Forte R, Galea E, Sacripanti A, Lampe N, Lampe Š, Jelušić T, Bradić S, Lascau ML, Rodica-Borza A, Camacho Pérez R, Diéguez Rodríguez-Montero F, Kapan M, Gezeker K, Capranica L, Tessitore A. Judo for older adults: the coaches' knowledge and needs of education. Front Sports Act Living 2024; 6:1375814. [PMID: 38628574 PMCID: PMC11018922 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2024.1375814] [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: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to explore the views of judo coaches on their perceived knowledge (PK) and needs for education (NE) for training older practitioners. In total, 470 international (Europe = 48%, Americas = 22%, Africa = 23%, Asia = 5% and Oceania = 2%) judo coaches (IJF: level 1 = 55,3%, level 2 = 33%; judo black belt: 3,4 ± 1,7 dan; F = 15%; university education: 68% >BA) responded an online survey encompassing demographic information and 35 items relevant to training older adults (Aging process; Safety and First Aid; Organization & Environment; Physiology and Fitness; Psychology & Mental Health; Teaching & Training) to be rated on a 7-point Likert scale for PK and NE. Non parametric statistics (p > 0.05) was applied to ascertain differences and relationships between PK and NE, respectively. A bivariate go-zone plot was used to highlight items with the lowest PK and the highest NE mean values. The coaches reported high PK (4.5 ± 0.3 pt) and NE (4.7 ± 0.1 pt) values, with significant higher PK values emerging for high education levels and judo experience. In considering their unique needs and special role, the judo coaches presented valuable insights to develop a sustainable educational curriculum tailored to train older judo practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Ciaccioni
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, Italian University of Sport and Movement “Foro Italico”, Rome, Italy
| | - Flavia Guidotti
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, Italian University of Sport and Movement “Foro Italico”, Rome, Italy
| | - Federico Palumbo
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, Italian University of Sport and Movement “Foro Italico”, Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Forte
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, Italian University of Sport and Movement “Foro Italico”, Rome, Italy
| | - Envic Galea
- International Judo Federation Academy Foundation, Pembroke, Malta
| | | | | | | | - Toma Jelušić
- Zajednica Sportskih Udruga Grada Rijeke “Riječki Sportski Savez”, Rijeka, Croatia
| | - Slaviŝa Bradić
- Zajednica Sportskih Udruga Grada Rijeke “Riječki Sportski Savez”, Rijeka, Croatia
| | | | | | | | | | - Mesut Kapan
- Izmir Alsancak Gymnastics Specialized Sports Club, Izmir, Türkiye
| | - Kaya Gezeker
- Izmir Alsancak Gymnastics Specialized Sports Club, Izmir, Türkiye
| | - Laura Capranica
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, Italian University of Sport and Movement “Foro Italico”, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Tessitore
- Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, Italian University of Sport and Movement “Foro Italico”, Rome, Italy
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Alexander D, Bloom GA, Bentzen M, Kenttä G. Exploring the experiences and perceptions of coaches, athletes, and integrated support teams towards the management of three national Paralympic teams. PSYCHOLOGY OF SPORT AND EXERCISE 2024; 71:102588. [PMID: 38159711 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2023.102588] [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: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
This study explored the experiences and perceptions of coaches, athletes, and integrated support teams towards the management of three Paralympic teams across North America and Europe. Six focus groups with athletes, three interviews with head coaches, and 10 interviews with support team members were conducted and analyzed using a reflexive thematic analysis. Our analysis resulted in three overarching themes to portray the coaches' role and behaviours in managing their (1) athletes, (2) integrated support teams, and (3) team as a collective unit. All teams were made up of a diverse group of athletes that required individualized considerations regarding age, finances, and disability. Coaches were successful when they fostered autonomy and managed interpersonal conflict by utilizing their integrated support teams to foster cohesiveness. This study provides an in-depth view of the role of the coach in managing national parasport teams by incorporating multiple perspectives from three teams around the world.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Göran Kenttä
- The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, Sweden
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Wheelchair Basketball Athletes' Perceptions of the Coach-Athlete Relationship. Adapt Phys Activ Q 2023; 40:105-125. [PMID: 36220142 DOI: 10.1123/apaq.2022-0003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The majority of research on the coach-athlete relationship has been explored from the perspective of able-bodied athletes. The purpose of this study was to explore wheelchair basketball athletes' perceptions of the coach-athlete relationship. Timelining and semistructured interviews were conducted with six wheelchair basketball athletes, and data were analyzed using a reflexive thematic analysis. Athletes highlighted the important role that parasport coaches played in fostering an enjoyable wheelchair basketball environment and valued coaches who displayed expertise regarding their athletes' equipment and had personal parasport athletic experiences. Additionally, athletes identified personal preferences, including coaches who addressed sex differences and maintained professional relationships at the national level as contributing factors to the coach-athlete relationship. The current results benefit both parasport coaches and athletes by providing a portrayal of coaching behaviors, characteristics, and expertise that not only influence the parasport coach-athlete dyad but also affect the well-being and athletic development of parasport athletes.
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Alexander D, Bloom GA. Exploring coaches' experiences and perceptions of a virtual parasport coach mentorship program. PSYCHOLOGY OF SPORT AND EXERCISE 2023; 64:102303. [PMID: 37665803 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychsport.2022.102303] [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: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Partnering with a provincial coaching association in Canada, we explored the experiences and perceptions of 15 mentor and 29 mentee coaches who participated in a formal virtual parasport coach mentorship program. Data were gathered via focus groups and individual interviews and analyzed using a reflexive thematic analysis. Mentor coaches built a virtual relationship through mutual trust and respect and were perceived by their mentees as supportive, motivating, and knowledgeable. Mentee coaches valued conversations with their mentors surrounding disability-specific knowledge that enhanced their coaching efficacy. Coaches highlighted the need for a greater sense of community within parasport and recommended keeping a virtual component of the program to foster accessibility and learning. Findings provide insight into effective mentorship in parasport for researchers, practitioners, and organizations overseeing this important initiative. Our results will contribute to higher quality experiences for Canadian parasport coaches and athletes and work to progress the growth of parasport worldwide.
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Bentzen M, Kenttä G, Karls T, Fagher K. Monitoring mental distress in Para athletes in preparation, during and after the Beijing Paralympic Games 2022: A 22 week prospective mixed-method study. Front Sports Act Living 2022; 4:945073. [PMID: 36304569 PMCID: PMC9592753 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2022.945073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
It is common in elite sport to monitor athletes' training load, injuries and illnesses, but mental distress is rarely included. An improved understanding of the epidemiology of mental distress among elite Para athletes and how their coaches perceive such monitoring would allow us to better develop and implement preventive measures. The purpose of this study was therefore to (1) prospectively describe elite Para athletes' mental distress, before, during and after the Beijing Paralympic Games (Paralympics Games 22 = PG22); and to (2) gain a better understanding of if and potentially how awareness of athletes' mental distress changed, through weekly monitoring, and influenced how coachers perceive athletes' mental distress and if they accounted for this before, during and after PG22. A mixed-method study design was used, in which prospective mental distress (depression and anxiety) data were collected weekly from 13 [Swedish] elite Para athletes in preparation, during and after PG22. Data were screened and evaluated weekly by a physiotherapist and a sports psychologist, and coaches also received weekly reports. A focus-group interview with the coaches were conducted post Paralympics to address coaches' awareness about mental distress and athlete health monitoring in Parasport. For data analyses, descriptive statistics was used for the quantitative data and a content analysis was conducted for the qualitative data. The results reveled the following proportion of datapoints indicating symptoms of anxiety and depression: before PG22 (15.8 and 19.1%); during PG22 (47.6 and 38.2%); and after PG22 (0 and 11.8%). The qualitative results indicated that coaches perceived athlete health monitoring as helpful for increasing their awareness of mental distress, and as a useful tool to initiate support for their athletes as well as improving their coaching. In summary, this cohort of elite Para athletes reported a high proportion of mental distress during the Winter Paralympic Games in Beijing. The results also show that it is important and feasible to monitor Para athletes' mental distress to detect and manage early symptoms of mental distress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marte Bentzen
- Department of Teacher Education and Outdoor Studies, The Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway,*Correspondence: Marte Bentzen
| | - Göran Kenttä
- The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden,School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Tommy Karls
- The Swedish School of Sport and Health Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden,Swedish Paralympic Committee, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kristina Fagher
- Rehabilitation Medicine Research Group, Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Aspects of Developmental Pathways toward World-Class Parasport. Sports (Basel) 2022; 10:sports10080123. [PMID: 36006089 PMCID: PMC9415660 DOI: 10.3390/sports10080123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The developmental pathways of athletes with a physical disability into world-class parasport are much less researched and understood compared to able-bodied athletes’ participation histories. The purpose of this study was to investigate the developmental pathways of para-athletes toward elite performance. Data from eight athletes with physical disabilities ranked among the top performers in Paralympics, World Championships, and/or European Championships were gathered. Thematic analysis of retrospective semi-structured interviews led to the identification of four themes. The findings showed the importance of early childhood sport-related encounters in a family environment followed by sampling of various organized and coach-led sports throughout the childhood period. The youth sport period was highly heterogenous, albeit with important transitions towards elite-level practice environments, competition, coaching, equipment adaptability and the first intentions of becoming an elite-level athlete. Throughout, significant contributions are attributed towards parents, friends, coaches, athletes, and others, towards fostering a sustained motivational climate focused on improvement and further progress. These findings could provide useful information to tailor developmental models towards elite-level performance in parasport.
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Dehghansai N, Pinder RA, Baker J. Talent Identification and Development in Paralympic Contexts: Current Challenges. Front Sports Act Living 2022; 4:926974. [PMID: 35784802 PMCID: PMC9247143 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2022.926974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
This short review explores the state of talent identification and development of athletes in Paralympic contexts. While talent identification typically occurs during adolescence, this practice is more complex and variable in Paralympic contexts compared to non-Paralympic contexts. For example, Paralympic athletes can have impairments that are congenital or acquired at any time across their lives. Therefore, they can enter performance pathways at unpredictable times. Furthermore, differences and nuances associated with athlete impairments (type and severity), compounded by other systematic complexities (e.g., systems of classification) highlight the need to consider alternative and creative approaches to talent identification and development. We provide an overview of some of these complexities, highlight areas for future research, and provide recommendations for practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nima Dehghansai
- Paralympic Innovation, Paralympics Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- *Correspondence: Nima Dehghansai
| | - Ross A. Pinder
- Paralympic Innovation, Paralympics Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Joe Baker
- Kinesiology and Health Science, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Pires P, Ramalho A, Antúnez A, Mesquita H, Ibáñez SJ. Career Development of Adapted Sports Coaches: Systematic Review of Qualitative Evidence Literature. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18126608. [PMID: 34205351 PMCID: PMC8296355 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18126608] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
This study aims to synthesize and understand the qualitative and empirical evidence previously published on adapted sports career development. This systematic literature review also aimed at developing a conceptual model of the training and career path of adapted sports coaches. The research was carried out through the following databases: PubMed, Erid, EBSCO, Web of Science and Scopus. We selected nine qualitative studies according to the specific eligibility criteria. Data extraction was carried out independently by different authors, including the assessment of the methodological quality of the articles. We developed a conceptual model composed of four descriptive subjects (adapted sport option; perception of training athletes in adapted sports; development of the adapted sports coach’s learning; adapted sports coach reality) about the adapted sports coach’s pathway and added three analytical subjects about the difficulties, opportunity and reality of adapted sports. The conceptual model suggests inclusion of practical activity programs, the specificities of related contents with the adapted modalities, and observation in a real context are fundamental.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Pires
- Research Group in Optimization of Training and Sports Performance (GOERD), University of Extremadura, 10005 Cáceres, Spain; (P.P.); (S.J.I.)
| | - André Ramalho
- Sport, Health & Exercise Research Unit (SHERU), Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco, 6000-266 Castelo Branco, Portugal; (A.R.); (H.M.)
| | - Antonio Antúnez
- Research Group in Optimization of Training and Sports Performance (GOERD), University of Extremadura, 10005 Cáceres, Spain; (P.P.); (S.J.I.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-660-522-020
| | - Helena Mesquita
- Sport, Health & Exercise Research Unit (SHERU), Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco, 6000-266 Castelo Branco, Portugal; (A.R.); (H.M.)
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Ciências Sociais da Universidade Nova (CISC.NOVA), 1070-312 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sergio J. Ibáñez
- Research Group in Optimization of Training and Sports Performance (GOERD), University of Extremadura, 10005 Cáceres, Spain; (P.P.); (S.J.I.)
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Pires P, Batista M, Marinho DA, Antúnez A, Mesquita H, Ibáñez SJ. Training and Profile of Special Olympics Portugal Coaches: Influence of Formal and Non-Formal Learning. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18126491. [PMID: 34208515 PMCID: PMC8296450 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18126491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Since coaches play an important role in the development of athletes, the process and mechanisms used by Special Olympics Portugal to develop coaches’ skills are worthy of research. In this context, the study aims to identify the training paths and profiles of the Special Olympics Portugal coach. It also aims to analyze the relationship between formal and non-formal learning in the profile and training of this type of coach. The research is descriptive and transversal regarding Special Olympics Portugal coaches, with the participation of 50 subjects. Two questionnaires were used, the Coaches’ Training Profile Questionnaire to determine the training routes, and the Coaches’ Orientation Questionnaire. The results show that the Special Olympics Portugal coaches have an academic background and a somewhat critical profile. It is imperative to build formal and non-formal learning contexts that focus on the theme of adapted sports, in order to allow the training of more qualified coaches, who are consequently more effective in their interventions with this type of athlete.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Pires
- Research Group in Optimization of Training and Sports Performance (GOERD), University of Extremadura, 10003 Caceres, Spain; (P.P.); (S.J.I.)
| | - Marco Batista
- Sport, Health & Exercise Research Unit (SHERU), Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco, 6000-266 Castelo Branco, Portugal; (M.B.); (H.M.)
| | - Daniel A. Marinho
- Research Center in Sports Sciences, Health Sciences and Human Development (CIDESD), Universidade da Beira Interior, 6201-001 Covilhã, Portugal;
| | - Antonio Antúnez
- Research Group in Optimization of Training and Sports Performance (GOERD), University of Extremadura, 10003 Caceres, Spain; (P.P.); (S.J.I.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-660-522-020
| | - Helena Mesquita
- Sport, Health & Exercise Research Unit (SHERU), Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco, 6000-266 Castelo Branco, Portugal; (M.B.); (H.M.)
- Centro Interdisciplinar de Ciências Sociais da Universidade Nova (CISC.NOVA), 1070-312 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sergio J. Ibáñez
- Research Group in Optimization of Training and Sports Performance (GOERD), University of Extremadura, 10003 Caceres, Spain; (P.P.); (S.J.I.)
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