Tennis Coaches’ Perceptions of Covid-19 Impact on Their Health and Professional Activity: A Multi-Cultural Approach
16 May 2021-Sustainability (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute)-Vol. 13, Iss: 10, pp 5554
TL;DR: In this article, the authors study the perceptions of Spanish and Portuguese-speaking tennis coaches working in Latin American and European countries regarding the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on their health, professional, and economic circumstances.
Abstract: Tennis coaches are facing considerable challenges as the game is disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The long tradition of tennis in the Latin American region and in Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking European countries makes comparing these regions particularly interesting. The purpose of this research was to study the perceptions of Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking tennis coaches working in Latin American and European countries regarding the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on their health, professional, and economic circumstances. The perceptions of 655 coaches from 19 Latin American and European countries were collected using an ad-hoc questionnaire. Coaches reported on the incidence of the virus in terms of infection and quarantine, the impact on their coaching programs, and on their professional development, training, and education. They were also asked about their perception of the overall situation as a threat. The results showed that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a considerable impact on the health and the profession of tennis coaches. Although Latin American coaches reported a greater impact on their health, economic, and professional circumstances, they viewed the pandemic as an opportunity for professional improvement and training as compared to the perceptions of European coaches. In light of these results, implications, practical applications, and future research are proposed.
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TL;DR: In this paper , the influence of age and gender on pre-competitive and post-competitive anxiety and self-confidence in young tennis players was studied, and the results showed that younger players showed lower trait anxiety (r = 0.333; p < 0.05), lower pre-match state anxiety (R = 0., 0.501; p , 0.01) and lower prematch somatic anxiety (ρ = 0, 0.313; p −0.05).
Abstract: To study the influence of age and gender on pre-competitive and post-competitive anxiety and self-confidence in young tennis players. A total of 42 U’12 to U’18 category tennis players, 12 females and 30 males, participated in this cross-sectional study. The players had a mean age of 13.74 (2.07) years old and a national competitive experience of 4.00 (2.14) years. The pre-competitive anxiety of the participants was assessed using the Competitive State Anxiety Inventory–2R (CSAI-2R) and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-E) before and after an official tournament’s match. Results showed that younger players showed lower trait anxiety (r = 0.333; p < 0.05), lower pre-match state anxiety (r = 0.501; p < 0.01) and lower pre-match somatic anxiety (r = 0.313; p < 0.05). Furthermore, girls exhibited higher values of state anxiety (r = 0.445; p < 0.01) and somatic anxiety (r = 0.440; p < 0.01) than boys before the match. However, differences were not observed in the trait anxiety measured by STAI-E (r = 0.203; p = 0.213), cognitive anxiety (r = 0.140; p = 0.363), and self-confidence measured by the CSAI questionnaire (r = 0.150; p = 0.333), before the match. Therefore, coaches and sport psychologists should implement adequate on- and off-court individualized interventions to manage anxiety, specifically in girls and players over 14 years old. Although anxiety levels were similar to those before the COVID-19 pandemic, due to the influence of the pandemic on mental health, results might be taken with caution.
6 citations
TL;DR: In this article , the authors discuss some of the most relevant innovation strategies used by the Latin American national tennis federations as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and demonstrate that although traditional management, organizational and administrative behaviors are still present in the tennis ecosystem, a more innovative mentality should embed these organizations.
Abstract: PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to discuss some of the most relevant innovation strategies used by the Latin American national tennis federations as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology consists of a survey. The survey consisted of three sections apart from the consent one: a general descriptive part, one with 30 questions to assess attitudes and perceptions and a final section which included open questions. After the data were collected, the SPSS software was used to test the distribution of the sample.FindingsResults show that executives' perception toward their need for involvement in the decision-making process varies.Research limitations/implicationsThe first limitation relates to the sample size of executives who completed the questionnaire. The second limitation refers to the details provided in the open section of the questionnaire. Specifically, the space allocated for the answers and the degree of detail required could have been optimized by providing further instructions on the importance of facilitating information related to the implementation of the programs.Practical implicationsThe results demonstrate that, although traditional management, organizational and administrative behaviors are still present in the tennis ecosystem, a more innovative mentality should embed these organizations. It is then relevant that sport and tennis organizations commit to the implementation of innovative strategies for the optimization of the administration of their ecosystems.Originality/valueThe paper adds more understanding to the brand of sports management. Furthermore, the fact of developing the study in a COVID-19 context sheds light on the issues faced by sports in a pandemic like this one.
2 citations
TL;DR: The purpose of this study was to examine Ontario sport coaches’ perspectives on the implications of the pandemic on their experiences and may be used to inform recommendations for supporting coaches post pandemic.
Abstract: Researchers have examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on athletes’ experiences, however, there remains a lack of attention examining the impact of the pandemic on coaches’ experiences. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine Ontario sport coaches’ perspectives on the implications of the pandemic on their experiences. As part of a large-scale survey of Ontario coaches’ experiences in sport, an open-ended question was asked regarding the implications of COVID-19 on the coaching population. In total, 591 participant responses were analyzed using thematic analysis. According to participants, most of the cited outcomes of COVID-19 were negative, although some positive aspects were cited. Negative outcomes of the pandemic included adapting coaching methods and practices, insufficient coach supports, declines in coaching confidence and skills, lack of meaningful interpersonal connections, mental health concerns, job and financial instability, unclear guidelines on safe returns to sport, and loss of athletes and athletic programs. Conversely, positive impacts included having time to reflect on their coaching pursuits and alternative interests and to engage in professional development. These findings highlight the importance of understanding coaches’ experiences during the pandemic and may be used to inform recommendations for supporting coaches post pandemic.
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TL;DR: In this paper, the adaptation of snowball sampling techniques, as described in this article, helped the authors to gain access to each of the more-vulnerable population groups of interest.
Abstract: Nurse researchers and educators often engage in outreach to narrowly defined populations. This article offers examples of how variations on the snowball sampling recruitment strategy can be applied in the creation of culturally appropriate, community-based information dissemination efforts related to recruitment to health education programs and research studies. Examples from the primary author's program of research are provided to demonstrate how adaptations of snowball sampling can be used effectively in the recruitment of members of traditionally underserved or vulnerable populations. The adaptation of snowball sampling techniques, as described in this article, helped the authors to gain access to each of the more-vulnerable population groups of interest. The use of culturally sensitive recruitment strategies is both appropriate and effective in enlisting the involvement of members of vulnerable populations. Adaptations of snowball sampling strategies should be considered when recruiting participants for education programs or for research studies when the recruitment of a population-based sample is not essential.
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