A temporal investigation of the stressors amateur coaches experience during a 7 day competitive cycle

Abstract

This paper is located within the field of coaching stress, specifically stressors. The aim of the study was to explore how demands faced by amateur coaches change over a competitive cycle. 15 amateur coaches completed a total of four identical questionnaires over a one week data collection period through survey monkey; identifying the demands they were facing at the time. Results were documented on SPSS where they were analysed using non-parametric tests (Friedman’s test and Wilcoxon rank test with Bonferroni adjustment). Results found five demands which showed significant changes over time, indicating that for many coaches, demands are unstable and should be constantly reappraised. The five demands were: training environment, competition environment, internal expectations, physical team preparation and match outcome. It is suggested that locating an alternate training facility could solve training and match environment demands as maintenance would become more manageable. The findings of the present study also support the need for improved forms of communication with athletes, thus overcoming the uncontrollable characteristics associated with physical team preparation. Finally, results indicate the need for goal orientation alterations within a competitive environment. The consequences of possessing outcome orientated goals have been shown to cause maladaptive behaviours, hence the requirement to promote task orientation within competitive environments.