Sport commitment and participation in masters swimmers: The influence of coach and teammates

Abstract

This study investigated how coach and teammates influence masters athletes' sport commitment, and the effect of functional and obligatory commitments on participation in masters swimming. The sample consisted of 523 masters swimmers (330 males and 193 females) aged between 22 and 83 years (M = 39.00, SD = 10.42). A bi-dimensional commitment scale was used to measure commitment dimensions and perceived influence from social agents. Structural equation modelling analysis was conducted to evaluate the influence of social agents on functional and obligatory commitments, and the predictive capabilities of the two types of commitment towards sport participation. Support provided by coach and teammates increased functional commitment, constraints from these social agents determined higher obligatory commitment, and coach constraints negatively impacted functional commitment. In addition, both commitment types predicted training participation, with functional commitment increasing participation in team training sessions, and obligatory commitment increasing the hours of individual training. The findings suggest that in order to increase participation in masters swimming teams and reduce non-supervised training, coach and teammates should exhibit a supportive attitude and avoid over expectation.

Exploring the Context of Coached Masters Swim Programs: A Narrative Approach

“…They sought connections with people whose personal attri-butes (e.g., being driven and serious about training) would encourage and legitimize their demanding training schedules. This search for suitable training mates may have benefits, as Masters swimmers' training in a team setting (Santi et al, 2014) and training partners can influence the sense of duty that Masters swimmers have toward continued sport involvement (Young & Medic, 2011b). Finally, quotes from control-oriented swimmers suggested that they might be motivated to use Masters sport to enhance one's social standing and to seek opportunities to validate their sense of status.…”

“…Masters Swimming, 2014). Further, much of the recent research on Masters sport, be it quantitative (e.g., Cardenas, Henderson, & Wilson, 2009;Hodge et al, 2008;Santi, Bruton, Pietrantoni, & Mellalieu, 2014;Young, de Jong, & Medic, 2014) or qualitative (Dionigi, Horton, & Baker, 2010;Dionigi et al, 2011;Grant, 2001) has been conducted in or around large-scale events (e.g., World Masters championships, Seniors Games), with very little in-depth research being conducted on athletes in the process of preparing for these events. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore prevalent psycho-social conditions at play in day-to-day coached Masters swim programs through the examination of Masters swimmers lived experiences within this setting.…”

Percepción De La Persona Adulta Mayor Acerca De Los Factores Que Determinan La Participación Al Predeportivo Voliocho Del Cantón De Santo Domingo De Heredia, Costa Rica

“…Al analizar dicha expresión, se demuestra la convicción que tienen los participantes del éxito en sus habilidades para continuar con la práctica del voliocho. Según la teoría social cognitiva de Bandura (1986), la autoeficacia se define por varias fuentes de predicción, tales como la historia de vida previa, la activación física y psicológica, que hacen que la persona llegue entusiasmada a las prácticas, el modelaje y la persuasión social, como lo demuestran los siguientes comentarios: Igualmente, la teoría menciona que la exposición a personas adultas que aportan un modelaje, genera una identificación con el equipo, que favorece la asistencia y la participación activa de la persona adulta mayor a los programas de actividad física o deportiva (Santi, Bruton, Pietrantoni, y Mellalieu, 2014), como se refuerza en este comentario: "Ella como entrenadora es muy buena, tranquila, ella le exige a uno como jugadora, pero no es brava, ella me motiva siempre a salir adelante". (PAM 14) Esto demuestra, el papel trascendental que tiene el perfil del entrenador o instructor en la permanencia de este grupo etario en dichos programas.…”

Exploring the Context of Coached Masters Swim Programs: A Narrative Approach

“…Swim programs are pertinent because swimming is a leader in recognizing coaches as integral resources and in encouraging discussion of best coaching practices as they relate to adults (e.g., Coaching Development Committee of Masters Swimming Canada, 2014; U.S. Masters Swimming, 2014). Further, much of the recent research on Masters sport, be it quantitative (e.g., Cardenas, Henderson, & Wilson, 2009;Hodge et al, 2008;Santi, Bruton, Pietrantoni, & Mellalieu, 2014;Young, de Jong, & Medic, 2014) or qualitative (Dionigi, Horton, & Baker, 2010;Dionigi et al, 2011;Grant, 2001) has been conducted in or around large-scale events (e.g., World Masters championships, Seniors Games), with very little in-depth research being conducted on athletes in the process of preparing for these events. Thus, the purpose of this study was to explore prevalent psycho-social conditions at play in day-to-day coached Masters swim programs through the examination of Masters swimmers lived experiences within this setting.…”

“…butes (e.g., being driven and serious about training) would encourage and legitimize their demanding training schedules. This search for suitable training mates may have benefits, as Masters swimmers' training in a team setting (Santi et al, 2014) and training partners can influence the sense of duty that Masters swimmers have toward continued sport involvement (Young & Medic, 2011b). Finally, quotes from control-oriented swimmers suggested that they might be motivated to use Masters sport to enhance one's social standing and to seek opportunities to validate their sense of status.…”