The feasibility and acceptability of an intervention to improve career adaptability skills in Olympic and Paralympic athletes

The feasibility and acceptability of an intervention to improve career adaptability skills in Olympic and Paralympic athletes
Author: Emma Connaughton
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2019
Genre:
ISBN:

The Olympic and Paralympic Games are a pinnacle experience for athletes, coaches, support staff and their families. Conceptualized as a series of meta-career transitions, each Games is unique in its own way and present intense, emotional, physical and psychological demands on competitors. Research has shown that individuals' ability to adapt to career transitions has implications for their well-being, mental health, motivation and productivity. Consequently, the aim of this research was to develop and test an athlete transition support programme that would enhance career adaptability skills in Irish Olympic and Paralympic athletes, coaches and athlete support providers. Best practice in intervention development is to approach the design systematically utilizing prior evidence and theory, and to subsequently pilot the intervention to assess key barriers and facilitators to successful implementation. Following this, exploratory trials should be conducted, which ultimately lead to the implementation of a definitive evaluation. Following the six steps of quality intervention development model, this research presents four studies which inform the development and testing of a psychoeducation intervention delivered to Olympic and Paralympic athletes, coaches and athlete support providers prior to their participation in the Rio 2016 Summer Games. There is a gap in the career transition in sport literature pertaining to preventive interventions which this thesis addresses. Additionally, career adaptability skills have yet to be explored in any elite sport context. This thesis also draws the field of implementation science into sport psychology. The first study is a systematic review of the characteristics of the implementation of well-being related interventions in Olympic and Paralympic athletes. The purpose of this study is to review literature which has attempted to enhance the well-being of Olympic and Paralympic athletes and extract data pertaining to the implementation characteristics of the intervention. The findings suggest that to date little consideration has been given to the impact of implementation factors on intervention effectiveness. The second study is a qualitative exploration of the factors Irish Olympic and Paralympic athletes, coaches, and athlete support providers believe affect an athlete's engagement in a psychoeducation intervention. The key findings suggest for such an intervention to be feasible and acceptable, it should be delivered in group format, at the training location of the athletes, and be packaged as a workshop to assist athletes in adapting to all stages of the Games and should emphasize the benefits to performance. The third study explores the initial efficacy of video as a delivery method for career adaptability psychoeducation with this population. Participants included 168 athletes with a mean age of 26.46 years (N = 116). Additionally, 10 coaches with a mean age of 40.20 years and 47 athlete support providers with a mean age of 39.77 years participated. Informed by entertainment-education theory, a video 155 seconds in length was found to be effective for communicating up to three learning points immediately following viewing.The fourth study explored the transfer of learning from a group-based psychoeducation intervention delivered over the course of a 90-minute workshop. 140 individuals comprised of Olympic and Paralympic athletes, coaches and sport science and medicine support personnel attended the workshop. Of the 140 attendees, ninety-eight attendees consented to participate in the research. Sports represented included Cerebral Palsy football, mixed Paralympic events, hockey, boxing, rugby 7's, athletics, rowing, triathlon, pentathlon, badminton. Overall participants rated the workshops as satisfactory, useful and relevant to their career. Recommendations for the refinement of the intervention and future research were made. A pre-post evaluation of participants' ability to accurately generalize the content of the intervention found significant improvement in thoughts and behaviours following the intervention, with small-large effect sizes calculated. Additionally, less than 20% of all participant's successfully transferred their learning to the real-world context at two time points following intervention. Overall, participants rated their adaptation to the post-Games career meta-transition positively, and listed skills learned at the workshop as helpful during this adaptation. This thesis contributes to the literature on career adaptability, implementation science, and the practical delivery of career transitions interventions to Olympic and Paralympic populations. Strengths of this thesis lie in the systematic development and testing of a psychoeducation intervention, and in the practical application of career transition theory. Practical recommendations for the development of psychoeducation interventions including both digital video and group format delivery are made.

Handbook of Sports Medicine and Science, The Paralympic Athlete

Handbook of Sports Medicine and Science, The Paralympic Athlete
Author: Yves Vanlandewijck
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
Total Pages: 312
Release: 2011-01-31
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 9781444334043

This brand new Handbook addresses Paralympic sports and athletes, providing practical information on the medical issues, biological factors in the performance of the sports and physical conditioning. The book begins with a comprehensive introduction of the Paralympic athlete, followed by discipline-specific reviews from leading authorities in disability sport science, each covering the biomechanics, physiology, medicine, philosophy, sociology and psychology of the discipline. The Paralympic Athlete also addresses recent assessment and training tools to enhance the performance of athletes, particularly useful for trainers and coaches, and examples of best practice on athletes' scientific counseling are also presented. This new title sits in a series of specialist reference volumes, ideal for the use of professionals working directly with competitive athletes.

Handbook of Sports Medicine and Science

Handbook of Sports Medicine and Science
Author: Yves C. Vanlandewijck
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 490
Release: 2016-06-07
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 111904510X

Part of the esteemed IOC Handbook of Sports Medicine and Science series, this new volume on Training and Coaching the Paralympic Athlete will be athlete-centred with each chapter written for the practical use of medical doctors and allied health personnel. The chapters also consider the role of medical science in the athlete’s sporting career and summarize current international scientific Paralympic literature. Provides a concise, authoritative overview of the science, medicine and psycho-social aspects of training and coaching disabled and Paralympic athletes Offers guidance on medical aspects unique to the training and coaching of Paralympic athletes Endorsed by both the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Written and edited by global thought leaders in sports medicine

Athlete First

Athlete First
Author: Steve Bailey
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 302
Release: 2008-02-28
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0470724315

Today the Paralympic Movement is recognised as a global sporting phenomenon attracting thousands of athletes from an ever-increasing number of countries. Athlete First provides a thoroughly researched history and analysis of the Paralympic Movement, including the development and organisation of the International Paralympic Committee. As well as recounting factual achievements and events, the book examines the position of sport and international competition for people with a disability within their changing historical context and in relation to the Olympic Movement and able-bodied sport. The first history of the origins and development of the Paralympic movement Examines disabled sport and international competition within their changing historical context Includes details of key players in the movement – on and off the field Written in an accessible style by a recognised historian Athlete First will prove invaluable to researchers and professionals involved in the field of sport and disability as well as sport scientists and physical education specialists with an interest in sports history. The Publisher appreciates the role played by the International Council of Sport Science and Physical Education (ICSSPE) in bringing this publication to fruition, and acknowledges the financial assistance provided by the International Olympic Committee.

Handbook of Sports Medicine and Science

Handbook of Sports Medicine and Science
Author: Don McKenzie
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 151
Release: 2019-01-15
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 1119097223

A new volume in the Handbook of Sports Medicine and Science series from the International Olympic Committee, this volume Canoeing provides an accessible and comprehensive summary of the topic. Provides a concise, authoritative overview of the science, medicine and psycho-social aspects of canoeing Offers guidance on medical aspects unique to the training and coaching of canoe athletes The only book on this subject endorsed by the Medical Commission of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Canoe Federation (ICF) Written and edited by global thought leaders in sports medicine

Handbook of Sports Medicine and Science

Handbook of Sports Medicine and Science
Author: Margo Mountjoy
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 144
Release: 2014-10-06
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 1118862201

This new International Olympic Committee (IOC) handbook covers the science, medicine and psycho-social aspects of females in sports at all levels of competition. Each chapter focuses on the specific issues that female athletes confront both on and off the field, such as bone health, nutritional recommendations, exercise/competition during menstruation and pregnancy, and much more. Fully endorsed by the IOC and drawing upon the experience of an international team of expert contributors, no other publication deals with the topic in such a concise and complete manner. The Female Athlete is recommended for all health care providers for women and girl athletes internationally for all sports and all levels of competition. It is a valuable resource for medical doctors, physical and occupational therapists, nutritionists, and sports scientists as well as coaches, personal trainers and athletes.

The Paralympic Games Explained

The Paralympic Games Explained
Author: Ian Brittain
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 261
Release: 2009-09-11
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1134023413

The Paralympic Games is the second largest multi-sport festival on earth and an event which poses profound and challenging questions about the nature of sport, disability and society. The Paralympic Games Explained is the first complete introduction to the Paralympic phenomenon, exploring every key aspect and issue, from the history and development of the Paralympic movement to the economic and social impact of the contemporary Games. The book introduces the three most important theoretical models of disability (medical, social and bio-social), to enable the reader to fully understand the Paralympics in the context of wider discussions of disability in society. It also offers a straightforward explanation of the importance of language and terminology in shaping our understanding of disability and disability sport. Including international examples and comparative material throughout, the book offers detailed and broad-ranging discussion of key issues such as: how societal attitudes influence disability sport the governance of Paralympic and elite disability sport the relationship between the Paralympics and the Olympics drugs and technology in disability sport classification in disability sport. Containing useful features throughout, such as review questions, study activities, web links and guides to further reading, The Paralympic Games Explained is the most accessible, comprehensive and thoughtful guide to the Paralympics currently available. It is essential reading for all students with an interest in disability sport, sporting mega-events, the politics of sport, or disability in society.

Handbook of Sports Medicine and Science

Handbook of Sports Medicine and Science
Author: Dennis J. Caine
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 418
Release: 2013-07-18
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 1118357574

This new volume in the Handbook of Sports Medicine and Science series, published in conjunction with the Medical Commission of the International Olympic Committee, offers comprehensive and practical guidance on the training and medical care of competitive gymnasts. Written and edited by leading trainers, team doctors, coaches and other professionals with unparalleled experience in elite gymnastics, this book covers all the key aspects of caring for gymnasts, minimizing the unique risks these athletes face, and treating injuries when they happen. The book is organized into 4 sections covering: The evolution of gymnastics Growth and development Training and performance Sports medicine Individual chapters cover key topics such as energy needs and body weight management; biomechanics; psychology; the epidemiology of gymnastic injuries; treatment and rehabilitation of common injuries; injury prevention; and more. Endorsed by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), no other book offers such an in-depth look at the unique considerations and challenges that affect the growth, performance, training, and medical care of athletes in this demanding sport.

Routledge Handbook of Talent Identification and Development in Sport

Routledge Handbook of Talent Identification and Development in Sport
Author: Joseph Baker
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 694
Release: 2017-03-16
Genre: Sports & Recreation
ISBN: 1317359836

Identifying athletic talent and developing that talent to its full potential is a central concern in sport. Understanding talent identification and its implications for both positive and negative developmental outcomes is crucial to sporting success. This is the first comprehensive resource for scientists, researchers, students, coaches, analysts and policymakers looking to improve their knowledge of the talent identification and development process. With contributions from leading researchers and practitioners, this book offers a complete overview of contemporary talent identification and development from in-depth discussion of methodological and philosophical issues through to practical applications. Adopting an international and multi-disciplinary approach, it addresses all key aspects of the talent identification and development process, including skill acquisition and motor learning, psychological factors and family influences, creating optimal environments for performance, and dealing with injury and rehabilitation. Presenting an unrivalled wealth of research, the Routledge Handbook of Talent Identification and Development in Sport is an essential resource for any undergraduate or postgraduate degree course in sport studies, sport science, sport coaching or sport management, as well as for sport policymakers, analysts and coaches.

Handbook of Sports Medicine and Science

Handbook of Sports Medicine and Science
Author: James E. Zachazewski
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
Total Pages: 181
Release: 2012-08-10
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 1118429907

Handbook of Sports Therapy Services: Organization and Operations is a practical guide, appropriate for each member of the multi-disciplinary "Sports Therapy" team, to establishing and effectively delivering the diverse therapy services required for athletes at international, national, and regional sporting events.