Analysis of sports science perceptions and research needs among South African coaches

Abstract

Background: There appears to be a gap between coaches’ expectations concerning their needs and the focus of research findings published by sports scientists. Given the important role of sports science in enhancing athletic performance, closing the gap between sports scientists and coaches is expedient.
Objectives: To investigate sports science perceptions and research needs among South African coaches.
Methods: Using a cross-sectional survey design, a total of 202 (28 females and 174 males) purposively recruited South African coaches completed a validated questionnaire.
Results: Findings indicated that improving the technique/efficiency of athletes (4.3±0.8), reducing the incidence of injury/illness in athletes (4.3±0.8), helping athletes peak for competition (4.3±0.9), and the mental preparation of athletes (4.3±1.0) were reported as the most preferred areas of research by coaches. The coaches also reported that there is a need/role for sports science researchers to translate scientific literature into easily understandable language (3.9±1.0). The coaches also indicated that the knowledge of sports science was important for them in performing their roles as coaches (3.9±1.0).
Conclusion: These findings have practical implications for sports federations to revise their coach education programmes to include sports science concepts which can be applied by coaches to improve the sports performance of individual athletes and teams.

Keywords: coaching, performance, knowledge