The Perceptions of the Best Portuguese Coaches about Dropout and Persistence in Women’s Artistic Gymnasts

Abstract

The purpose of the present investigation was to study the perceptions of the best Portuguese coaches of women's artistic gymnastics on athletes' persistence and dropout behaviors. Semi-structured interviews were applied to obtain the coaches' (n=8) accounts on why athletes persisted in or dropped out of gymnastics, and what lead parents to maintain or remove their daughters from gymnastics. In both cases, two distinct time periods were distinguished: "at the beginning of the career" and "throughout the career". Additionally, coaches were also questioned as to the factors underlying athletes' success in gymnastics. Results showed that, in the opinion of coaches, the decision to dropout or persist, whether it emanated from the athletes or their parents, stemmed from multiple causes. Nevertheless, the rigorous physical and psychological demands of the training process, and the conflict of those demands with work, study and family commitments, were often strong motives for athletes' and parents' dissatisfaction. Contrariwise, the enjoyment derived through the involvement in gymnastics, competitive ambition and the experience of success were some of the main motives attributed to athletes' persistence in gymnastics. Regarding parents, gymnastics began as a way to fill up their daughters' free time and as a means to promote their comprehensive education. However, in time, gymnastics seemed to become a means of social affirmation and an outlet for parents' personal frustrations. Finally, coaches stressed the importance, for success in women's gymnastics, of successful competitive results and enjoyment, as well as the human and social circumstances surrounding the athletes.