Competencies of Track and Field coaches. An Exploratory Study

Journal Title: Choregia - Year 2012, Vol 8, Issue 1

Abstract

The aim of this study was to construct a questionnaire to identify the knowledge and skills needed by track and field coaches in Greece to perform their role. Following standard procedures, an instrument with 42 items was constructed. Three hundred and forty nine Greek track and field coaches, who have been working 15 ± 2.8 y in the first and second division, aged 45 ± 4.4 y, participated in the study and rated the items of the questionnaire according to a Likert scale. Exploratory factor analysis revealed five factors comprising 22 competency statements: a) field management techniques (7 items), b) sport science (5 items), c) injury prevention/ crisis management (3 items); d) biology (3 items); and e) field training (4 items). The internal validity revealed a Cronbach’s alpha factor of 0.894 with subscales ranging from 0.657 to 0.886. Results also showed that demonstrating an understanding of specific inherent risks of sport activity and an understanding of psychology were the top rated competencies, while preparing a budget proposal and utilizing effective office procedures to handle registrations, reports, notices, etc., were the lower rated competencies. It is concluded that the questionnaire developed in this study is a reliable and valid instrument to measure the competencies of track and field coaches in Greece.

Authors and Affiliations

Ioannis Stavropoulos| Faculty of Human Movement & Quality of Life, University of Peloponnese, Sparta, Greece, George Kipreos| Faculty of Human Movement & Quality of Life, University of Peloponnese, Sparta, Greece, Alexandra Tripolitsioti| Faculty of Human Movement & Quality of Life, University of Peloponnese, Sparta, Greece, Athanasios Strigas| Department of Sport Management, Indiana State University, Indiana, USA

Keywords

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  • EP ID EP12582
  • DOI http:dx.doi.org/10.4127/ch.2012.0068
  • Views 390
  • Downloads 25

How To Cite

Ioannis Stavropoulos, George Kipreos, Alexandra Tripolitsioti, Athanasios Strigas (2012). Competencies of Track and Field coaches. An Exploratory Study. Choregia, 8(1), 119-130. https://europub.co.uk/articles/-A-12582