An athlete-centred approach to enhance thriving within athletes and coaches

IntroductionThe German military's sports promotion group (SPG) is an entity that aims to minimize the risks inherent in elite sports careers. Risks that manifest themselves, for example, in a lack of financial resources or failed dual careers could undermine the subjective well-being (SWB) of athletes, which can have a negative impact on athletic performance. A differentiated understanding of factors that influence SWB is therefore necessary.MethodsWithin the scope of a survey, a sample of n = 414 current and n = 298 former sports soldiers was generated. Linear regression models (blockwise) were used to analyze the influence of the SPG framework conditions, the influence of top sport-specific factors, and the influence of socio-demographic/socio-economic factors on the SWB of current and former sport soldiers.ResultsCurrent and former sports soldiers showed high satisfaction scores and were also optimistic about the future. Among current sports soldiers, men had higher SWB values. In addition, satisfaction with SPG services, satisfaction with their athletic careers, and satisfaction with their current income all influenced the athletes' SWB. Among former sports soldiers, persons in a stable partnership had higher SWB values. Furthermore, satisfaction with SPG services, a career end that was perceived as involuntary and satisfaction with current income were relevant for SWB in this cohort.DiscussionThis study addresses the call for a more athlete-centered approach in sports science research and the findings have several implications for organized sports to promote SWB in elite athletes.

Section: Contribution To the Literature And Discussion Of The Resultsmentioning

confidence: 68%

Subjective well-being of current and former elite athletes in the German armed forces

Ehnold,

Vollmann,

Schlesinger

2024

“…This is because, in addition to financial resources and sporting success, educational qualifications and educational or vocational skills have an important influence on the quality of the transition from an active sports career into a post-sports career (74,75). Thus, the present study responds to calls for a more athlete-centered approach in sports science research (76)(77)(78). Furthermore, the article focuses on elite female athletes.…”

Section: Discussion Of the Results And Contribution To The Literaturementioning

confidence: 96%

Soccer above all? Analysis of academic and vocational education among female soccer players in the German women's Bundesliga and 2nd women's Bundesliga

Ehnold,

Gohritz,

Lotzen

et al. 2024

IntroductionCareer-related (financial) reasons as well as advantages in terms of expanding social support systems, promoting a balanced lifestyle and personal development suggest that female soccer players should pursue academic or vocational education in parallel to elite sport. However, dual careers are fraught with challenges, mainly due to simultaneity in time and the associated conflicting goals. The aim of this article is to analyze the vocational or academic educational careers of professional female soccer players.MethodsTo generate the data, an online survey was conducted among soccer players in the German Women's Bundesliga and 2nd Women's Bundesliga. A total of n = 200 questionnaires (German: n = 191; English: n = 9) were included in the analysis, which corresponds to approx. 29.6% of the population addressed.Results90.6% of the players are pursuing or have already completed academic or vocational education. The majority (71.2%) of female soccer players choose to study. 81.8% of players report no impact or even a positive impact of soccer on their performance in academic or vocational education. Willingness to pursue and complete academic or vocational education is influenced by membership of the A-National Team, time spent playing soccer, form of school-leaving qualification, nationality and age.DiscussionThis study increases the visibility of professional women's soccer as an object of analysis in sports science research, follows up on demands for a more athlete-centered approach and generates further insights for research and practice with regard to the success of dual careers in elite sport.

“…The service was designed to have three strands; psychological and emotional support; psychoeducation on physical activity and lifestyle factors; and psychological skills training (PST) for performance-related issues. The team adopted a transplant athlete-centered philosophy that considered the whole person ( 25 , 26 ) and the wider context of participation at the BTG. In the context of transplant recipients, it is arguably even more important to adopt a holistic approach that places the well-being of the individual first and the performer second ( 27 ).…”

Section: Nature Of Service Deliverymentioning

confidence: 99%

Supporting transplant athletes: perspectives on delivery of a sports performance and well-being service at the British Transplant Games

Duncan,

Nateri,

Lind

et al. 2024

Evidence suggests that engaging in physical activity improves the mental and physical health of transplant recipients. An opportunity to be more active could be participating in the national and international network of Transplant Games. Although the literature on motivations for and the experience of taking part in the Games is available, little is known about what role applied practitioners, specifically sport and exercise psychologists could play as transplant recipients prepare and compete. This paper offers perspectives on the provision of a sports performance well-being service delivered at the British Transplant Games. The paper consists of several sections. The first offers background and how the service came into being. The second provides details of the model and philosophy that underpinned the service delivery. The third includes the trainee and exercise practitioner's casework and the challenges therein. Informed by the team's reflections and post-games survey the final section proposes recommendations for future applied sport and exercise services at this unique event.