A Case Study of the Relationship between Sports Science

A Case Study of the Relationship between Sports Science Research Practice and Elite Coaches' Perceived Needs

Stephen John Williams

A thesis submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree Doctor of Philosophy University of Canberra 2005

Abstract

Elite coaches consider aspects of sports science when preparing athletes for competition. Sports scientists conduct applied research and a h d a m e n t a l purpose of sports science research is to produce knowledge that helps improve the performance of elite athletes. In view of the considerable resources being directed toward research and coaching at the elite level, there is a need to conduct research to identifjr the relationship between research and coaching practice at the elite level.

Australia has an institute of sport or academy of sport in each state and territory dedicated to the development of team and individual sports, both Olympic and nonOlympic. In the area of elite athlete performance, the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) has gained an international reputation for excellence, and the AIS Research Centre has achieved international recognition for the quality of research projects directed toward the performance of elite athletes. Sports scientists at Australian universities also undertake research related to elite coaching, some of which has occurred in partnership with researchers at Australian institutes of sport.

The purpose of the study was to identifjr the relationship between sports science research at Australian institutes of sport and post-graduate sports science research in Australian universities, and how elite coaches in Australia perceive sports science research practice meeting the needs of elite coaching.

A case study method was selected for this thesis, which involved the following data gathering instruments: a survey of 225 elite coaches and 125 sports science researchers, follow-up interviews of elite coaches and sports science researchers, and document analysis of 725 research projects conducted at Australian institutes of sport and postgraduate theses at Master and Doctoral level at Australian universities. An analysis was also conducted to assess the sports science content contained in the National Coaching Accreditation Scheme's Level Three course material. A schedule was developed for the document analysis called the "Williams Sports Science Research Schedule". Interviews were conducted with elite key informants to validate a model that was developed fiom the study.

Results of the study revealed a degree of congruence between the perceptions of elite coaches and sports science researchers regarding the research needs of elite coaches and the research activity of sports science researchers. A model, called the "Elite Sports Research Model" was developed to describe that relationship. The Elite Sports Research Model contains four components, namely: coach knowledge, information seeking1 dissemination strategies, qualities valued in an elite coach and a sports science researcher, and application of research. Within the model, particular perspectives of elite coaches and particular perspectives of sports science researchers were identified. Some differences were found between elite coaches of team sports and elite coaches of individual sports, as well as some differences between researchers at institutes of sports and researchers at universities. At the elite level in Australia a relationship was found between sports science research activity and the research needs of elite coaches.

With the increase in support for elite coaching and sports science research in Australia and internationally, the results of this study should help to inform improvement in sports science research programs that support elite coaching practice.

Acknowledgement

I wish to acknowledgethe following people in the preparation of this document. I thank my supervisors at the University of Canberra, Dr Daryl Adair and Dr Mark Sayers, for their overall guidance and support. I would also like to thank Dr Diana Kendall for her encouragement and expertise in the research methodology, and Dr Lawrie Kendall for his assistance in statistical analysis of the data. I would also like to thank all the coaches and sports science researchers who participated in this study, and colleagues who contributed to validation of the data gathering instruments.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Abstract Acknowledgements

CHAPTER ONE - BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Introduction Sports Science Research Context in Australia Professional Development of Coaching in Australia Perspectives of Elite Coaching Perspectives of Sports Science Research Professional Relationship between Sports Science Researchers and Elite Coaches Need for the Study Statement of the Problem Purpose of the Study Research Objectives Theoretical Framework Significance of the Study Methodology Limitations of the Study Researcher Bias Definition of Terms Summary of the Chapter

CHAPTER TWO - REVIEW OF RESEARCH LITERATURE Introduction Practical Application of Sports Science Research Qualities in Coaches/Researchers Information SeekingIDissemination Strategies Coach Education and Knowledge Summary of Research Summary of the Chapter

CHAPTER THREE - RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Introduction Permission to Conduct the Study Research Design Target Population Selected for the Study a) Surveys b) Semi-stvuctuved Follow-up Interviews c) Elite Interviews Data Gathering Techniques Survey Semi-structured Follow-up Interviews Document Analysis Elite Interviews Research Procedures - Phase One Design o.f the Data Gathering Techniques for Phase One

a) Surveys

72

b) Semi-structured Follow-up Interviews

79

Trialing the Data Gathering Techniques for Phase One

79

a) Survey of Elite Coaches and Survey of

Sports Science Researchers

79

b) Semi-structured Follow-up Interview

Schedule

8 0

Administration of the Data Gathering Techniques for Phase One 80

a) Administration of the Surveys

8 0

b) Administration of the Semi-structured Follow-up

Interviews

8 1

Data Analysis for Phase One

82

Research Procedures - Phase Two

84

Design of Data Gathering Techniques for Phase Two

84

Documents Selected for Document Analysis

8 5

Trial and Administration of the WSSRS

8 6

Data Analysis of Data Derived fiom the WSSRS

8 6

Research Procedures - Phase Three

8 7

Design of Data Gathering Techniques

8 7

Administration of the Data Gathering Techniques

88

Data Analysis for Phase Three

8 9

Issues of Validity

89

Dependability

90

Triangulation (Cross Validation)

9 1

Summary of the Chapter

92

CHAPTER FOUR - DATA ANALYSIS AND RESULTS

93

Introduction

93

Phase One - Survey of Elite Coaches and Sports Science Researchers 94

Application of Sports Science Research

94

Responsesfrom Semi-structured Follow-up Interviews 97

Qualities Valued in Coaches and Researchers

106

Responsesfrom Semi-structured Follow-up Interviews 109

Information SeekingIDissemination Strategies

111

Responses from Semi-structured Follow-up Interviews 119

Coach Education and Knowledge

121

Responses to Questions Speczjk to Elite Coaches Only 124

Responses to Questions SpeczJic to Sports Science

Researchers Only

125

Responses from the Semi-structured Follow-up Interviews 126

Summary of Coach Education and Knowledge

126

Phase Two - Document Analysis

129

Sports Science Research Activities

129

Level Three Coaching Accreditation Material

135

Summary of Sports Science Research Activities and Level Three

Coaching Material

137

Summary of the Chapter

137

CHAPTER FIVE - DATA ANALYSIS FOR MODEL BUILDING

139

Introduction

139

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