Martin Eubank

Reflecting on reflection: exploring the practice of sports coaching graduates

Recent research has commented on the prevalence and usefulness of reflective practice in specific sports coaching domains. The present paper explores how 6 coaching science graduates from Knowles et al’s study deployed reflective processes within their coaching practice outside the confines of a supported reflective based curriculum. A reflective interview guide was used based on Gibbs’ model and staged reflective practice. 21 raw data themes elicited discussion relating to defining models of reflection, barriers of reflection, issues regarding written techniques and reflection with others. Results suggest the in‐built reflective rigour present in the undergraduate programme is at variance with the post graduation reality of sports coach employment. This differentiation is discussed with reference to short term contracts and a lack of professional accountability with recommendations made for future coach education programmes.

Markers of Bone Health, Renal Function, Liver Function, Anthropometry and Perception of Mood: A Comparison between Flat and National Hunt Jockeys

Given the requirement of professional jockeys to make-weight daily, we tested the hypothesis that Flat and National Hunt (Jump) jockeys would display compromised health markers (bone health, vitamin D, liver and kidney function and mood) compared with established clinical norms, with Flat jockeys affected the greater. Daily energy intake was lower in Flat compared with Jump jockeys (6.11±1.25 vs. 7.47±0.83 MJ.day - 1, P=0.01) whereas there was no difference in urine osmolality (811±198 vs. 678±317 mOsmol x kg(-1) respectively, P=0.13). Serum total 25(OH)D was insufficient in Flat and Jump jockeys (37.6±28 vs. 35.1±14 nmol x L(-1) respectively although there was no difference between groups (P=0.79). Markers of bone metabolism (Plasma β-carboxy-terminal cross-linked teleopeptide (CTX) and Intact Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) and liver and kidney function were within clinical normative ranges although CTX and PTH were higher than average. Abnormal mood profiles were observed in both groups although significantly poorer in the Flat jockeys (P=0.01). We conclude that the current practices of jockeys to make-weight may have detrimental effects upon their health with Flat jockeys affected more so than Jump jockeys. Future studies should investigate the effects of improved dietary practices on the mental and physical health of Flat and Jump jockeys.

Exploring athletic identity in elite-level English youth football: a cross-sectional approach

Abstract This study is the first empirical investigation that has explored levels of athletic identity in elite-level English professional football. The importance of understanding athletes’ psychological well-being within professional sport has been well documented. This is especially important within the professional football industry, given the high attrition rate (Anderson, G., & Miller, R. M. (2011). The academy system in English professional football: Business value or following the herd? University of Liverpool, Management School Research Paper Series. Retrieved from http://www.liv.ac.uk/managementschool/research/working%20papers/wp201143.pdf) and distinct occupational practices (Roderick, M. (2006). The work of professional football. A labour of love? London: Routledge). A total of 168 elite youth footballers from the English professional football leagues completed the Athletic Identity Measurement Scale (AIMS). Multilevel modelling was used to examine the effect of playing level, living arrangements and year of apprentice on the total AIMS score and its subscales (i.e., social identity, exclusivity and negative affectivity). Football club explained 30% of the variance in exclusivity among players (P = .022). Mean social identity was significantly higher for those players in the first year of their apprenticeship compared to the second year (P = .025). All other effects were not statistically significant (P > .05). The novel and unique findings have practical implications in the design and implementation of career support strategies with respect to social identity. This may facilitate the maintenance of motivation over a 2-year apprenticeship and positively impact on performance levels within the professional football environment.

Anxiety and Ambiguity: It’s All Open to Interpretation

Becks (1976) theoretical account of emotional vulnerability predicts that individuals who are vulnerable to anxiety will exhibit a cognitive processing bias for the threatening interpretation of ambiguous information. As anxiety direction (Jones, 1995) may best account for individual differences, the aim of this study was to establish whether such processing bias is a function of anxiety interpretation. Anxiety facilitators and debilitators underwent a modified Stroop test by reacting to neutral and ambiguous word types in neutral, positive, and negative mood conditions. A significant 3-way interaction, F(4, 60) = 3.02, p < .05, was evident, with the reaction time of facilitators being slowest for ambiguous words in the positive mood condition and debilitators being slowest for ambiguous words in the negative mood condition. The findings illustrate the important role that anxiety interpretation plays in the mechanism involved in the processing of ambiguous information.

Critical Moments in Elite Premiership Football: Who Do You Think You Are?

Abstract The present paper aims to specifically outline the critical moments that permeate professional football players’ development and existence in elite level English Premiership football. It also recognises the role of the applied sport psychologist in working with top players to address issues that challenge, impact (and change) player identity and personal meaning as they travel through their career from youth to professional to retirement. We conclude the paper by introducing some alternative perspectives on theory and practice. The paper is a result of the combined interests and applied activity of the authors and draws from theoretical frameworks and concepts in social psychology, existential phenomenological psychology and sociology. In this regard the paper attempts to synthesise (and celebrate) complimentary disciplines in order to allow us to consider the individual player within their social context.

Personal qualities of effective sport psychologists: a sports physician perspective.

Abstract Previous literature within applied sport psychology offers little detailed discussion regarding the personal qualities of sport psychology practitioners and the impact of these qualities on practice. This paper presents an exploration of the views of sport physicians regarding the personal characteristics and qualities of applied sport psychologists deemed necessary for effective practice. Five UK-based physicians and one Head of Medical Services, working in a range of elite and professional sports, were interviewed about their experience and perceptions of working with sport psychologists. The interview transcripts were content analysed and trustworthiness criteria applied. Four key themes emerged from the data, labelled ‘Personal qualities’, ‘Relationship Building’, ‘Professionalism in Practice’, and ‘Similarities between Psychologist and Physician’. The findings within each theme offered interesting insights into the impact of personal qualities on effective sport psychology practice. This study extends the existing literature on sport psychologists’ characteristics and effectiveness and offers new insights into their personal qualities and how these interact with the practice environment. The findings supported the growing emphasis within the field on the importance of the person behind the practitioner. Suggestions are offered with reference to the need to consider how literature from counselling psychology and medical training could assist the development of practice and education and training in sport psychology.

From youth team to first team: An investigation into the transition experiences of young professional athletes in soccer

Using Wylleman and Lavallee [(2004). A developmental perspective on transitions faced by athletes. In M. Weiss (Ed.), Developmental sport psychology (pp. 507–527). Morgantown, WV: Fitness Information Technology] and Stambulova [(2003). Symptoms of a Crisis-transition: A Grounded Theory Study. In N. Hassmen (ed.), Svensk Idrottspykologisk Förening (pp. 97–109). Örebro, Sweden: Örebro University Press] models of transition as conceptual frameworks for the current study, we aimed to explore United Kingdom professional soccer players’ (N = 5) experiences going through a youth-to-senior career transition to first team level, and assess the immediate changes that occur during the move. Few studies have assessed this process, and no studies have focused on assessing the changes that may occur between pre- and post-transition. Data collection lasted one month with players interviewed twice, two weeks before, and two weeks after their transition to the first team. Data were abductively thematically content analysed. Prior to transition, players reported high motivation to be successful, but also feeling anxious about the transition to senior sport. Post-transition, players felt more confident about their ability to succeed in senior sport and maintained high levels of motivation to succeed. Family, friends, coaches, and teammates provided emotional, technical, and tangible support to the players throughout the transition, but were also sources of stress for athletes moving to senior sport. These findings suggest ways to assist transitioning athletes, such as the use of buddy systems with senior players.

Commentary: Blurred lines: Performance Enhancement, Common Mental Disorders and Referral in the U.K. Athletic Population

Given the personal and sensitive nature of mental disorders, and the stigmas to disclosure that often exist in high performance sport, it was not surprising to learn from Roberts et al. (2016) that the Sport Psychologist, with whom the CMD athlete is likely to have a confidential, trusting, and empathic working relationship, is the person they are most likely to seek out for support. For me, the capacity of the Sport Psychologist to provide the support being sought depends on their competence to both consult with, and refer, athletes with CMD, and the extent to which their own practice philosophy and counseling based training informs their consultancy approach. These two issues form the focus of this commentary.