Professional Development Themes in Strength and Conditioning Coaches

David Tod · Kath A Bond · David E. Lavallee

41 citations0/0 files storedThe Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

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Sport Psychology and Performance Sports Performance and Training Athletic Training and Education

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore professional development themes in experienced strength and conditioning coaches. Strength and conditioning coaches (N = 15, mean age = 34.3 years, SD = 5.2 years) with 11.4 (SD = 4.9) years experience working with elite, professional, or talented athletes were interviewed about their professional development. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and content analyzed. Over time, subjects' service-delivery practices became more flexible and client driven. Their role understanding also broadened to include various dimensions, such as the need to consider various stakeholders and the value of good relationships with athletes. The subjects shifted from relying on external justification for professional decision making to their experience-based knowledge. The subjects believed athlete work experience, interactions with senior strength and conditioning coaches and other colleagues, the professional literature, and nonprofessional experiences, such as their own athletic experience and sales or managerial training, were the primary influences on their professional development. Typically, the subjects experienced anxiety about their competence, both early in their careers and when working in new contexts or with new athlete groups, but over time, they developed increased confidence. In addition, the subjects experienced reduced narcissism over time about the control they had over athletes and their competitive results. The current results provide information about the characteristics of effective strength and conditioning coaches, the ways they develop their competencies to help athletes, and the emotions they experience throughout their careers. These results may help strength and conditioning practitioners in planning and optimizing their professional development and effectiveness with athletes.

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References

2005Consensual qualitative research: An update.2004Comparing Telephone and Face-to-Face Qualitative Interviewing: a Research Note 2003The Journey of the Counselor and Therapist: Research Findings and Perspectives on Professional Development 2004Reflective Practice for Sport Psychologists: Concepts, Models, Practical Implications, and Thoughts on Dissemination 1995The Development of Consulting Practice in Applied Sport Psychology: Some Personal Perspectives 2009A Longitudinal Examination of Neophyte Applied Sport Psychologists' Development 2009Effects of Instructional and Motivational Self-Talk on the Vertical Jump 2004STUDY OF THE KEY DETERMINING FACTORS FOR THE NCAA DIVISION I HEAD STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACH

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