A study exploring a gymnasts experiences and perceptions of a transition between coaches due to entering a university education.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the transition that a gymnast makes when making a transition between coaches and clubs due to entering university education. This study was accomplished in a qualitative manor, using semistructured interviews to gain raw data, which was then analysed using content analysis. The participants (N=4) were all undergraduate students who all competed in a gymnastic discipline for their university and had trained and competed prior to coming to university. The participants were taken from a spread across the three years of undergraduates (1st year N=2, 2nd year N=1, 3rd year N=1), of which there was one male and three females. The data analysis that was performed provided a number of themes; motivation, social support, lifestyle changes, training changes, preconceptions, coach-athlete relationship, coping systems and finally emotions; before, during and after. From these themes, key discussion points were developed of which a number of practical implications evolved that could be used to guide individuals going through the transition and coaches gain a better understanding of how to help manage participants in this process. This discussion points largely support, previous research and can be used to help awareness of different points through the transition process to university that could cause the largest detrimental effect to the individuals.