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Social and Behavioral Sciences

(16) Navigating Uncertainty: Strategies of College SC Coaches During the COVID-19 Crisis

Thursday, July 11, 2024
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM East Coast USA Time
Location: Exhibit Hall
Abstract Details: The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic triggered unparalleled disturbances across institutions, engendering significant obstacles for athletic departments, especially for strength and conditioning (SC) practitioners. SC coaches grappled with substantial operational upheavals and imposed modifications. Understanding the pandemic's consequences on SC professionals is imperative for augmenting future crisis response strategies.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess how the COVID-19 pandemic affected psychological empowerment dimensions, specifically impact and self-determination, and their subsequent effect on the coaching practices of US collegiate SC coaches.

Methods: Utilizing advanced web scraping techniques, a database of publicly available email addresses was compiled for SC coaches at NCAA Divisions I, II, and III, and NAIA programs via official athletic department websites. An electronic survey, which incorporated both quantitative and qualitative assessments, was distributed to this population. The survey comprised the validated Psychological Empowerment Instrument, and six specially designed items aiming to capture the extent of the pandemic's impact on the SC coaches’ professional practices and mental health. A total of 2139 SC coaches were contacted, and 438 (a 20.5% response rate) provided informed consent and completed the survey. The investigation employed a multiple linear regression methodology to evaluate the influence of psychological empowerment dimensions on coaching agency amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results: A multiple linear regression model significantly predicted coaching agency during the COVID-19 pandemic (r = 0.521, p < 0.001) with low multicollinearity (VIF < 1.52). The 'Empowerment - Impact' dimension was a significant predictor (std Beta = 0.474, p < 0.001), whereas other dimensions; 'Empowerment-Meaning' (p = 0.229), 'Empowerment-Self Determination' (p = 0.068), and 'Empowerment Competence' (p = 0.904), did not significantly influence the model. A related model assessing the COVID-19 pandemic's self-reported influence also proved significant (r = 0.276, p < 0.001), with 'Empowerment-Self Determination' as a significant predictor (std Beta = 0.158, p = 0.01); conversely, the remaining dimensions—'Empowerment-Impact' (p = 0.140), 'Empowerment-Meaning' (p = 0.386), and 'Empowerment Competence' (p = 0.421), did not yield significant predictive value in relation to the perceived impact of COVID-19.

Conclusion: The analysis demonstrated that the 'Empowerment - Impact' dimension significantly influenced coaching agency amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting its importance in coaching adaptability and response. In contrast, only the 'Empowerment - Self Determination' was a significant predictor of coaches' self-reported pandemic impact, while other psychological empowerment dimensions had no substantial predictive effect. These findings reveal a complex interplay of empowerment factors affecting coaching practices in crisis situations. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: SC coaches could benefit from amplifying their impact and self-determination to handle crises such as pandemics. Engaging in professional development that hones psychological empowerment dimensions enables coaches to effectively navigate uncertainties. This focus is critical for sustaining high-level coaching performance in challenging contexts.

Acknowledgements: None