Expert Coaches' Perceptions of Athlete Performance Optimization
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to engage expert coaches in a reflective process exploring their perceptions of distinguishing features of athletes they consider optimal performers. Fifteen national and/or Olympic level coaches were interviewed. Developed through a content analysis of the data, elite coach descriptions provided a preliminary profile of elite athlete performance optimization centred on five main themes: a rational approach to training and performance; exhibiting sustained passion and commitment to details; ownership of the elite athletic experience; embracing challenge and complexity of elite athletic contexts; and employing a big (moral) picture view of sport and life. Discussion focuses on highlighting the features of performance optimizing athletes using the proposed concept of ‘mature competitiveness’.
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Coaches may not consider the management of their own mental health as a competitive priority compared with other influences.
“coaches may not consider the management of their own mental health as a competitive priority when compared with other influences (e.g. tactical advantages) [47].”
From The Mental Health of Elite-Level Coaches: A Systematic Scoping Review (2024) · cites this paper as [47]
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References 31 · Cited by 14
- Authors
- Tracey, J., & Elcombe, T.
- Affiliations
- Wilfrid Laurier University (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Tracey, Jill
- Elcombe, Tim
- Venue
- International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching
- Publisher
- SAGE Publications
- Published
- 2015-12
- Volume
- 10
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 1001-1013
- ISSN
- 1747-9541 (ISSN-L)
- 2048-397X
- OpenAlex
- W2276946109
- Cited by
- 14
- References
- 31
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 8 · 2021: 1 · 2020: 1 · 2018: 1 · 2016: 1
- FWCI
- 1.68
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- China Scholarship Council
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Sport Psychology and Performance
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Orthopedics and Sports Medicine › Sports Performance and Training
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Motivation and Self-Concept in Sports
- Keywords
- athletic performance improvement, elite coaches, coach perceptions, elite athletes
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