A novice strength and conditioning coach’s experiences of the complex and contested nature of working in professional sport

Dawson, Robert David

Abstract

This thesis investigates a novice strength and conditioning coach’s experiences of the complex and contested nature of working in professional sport. It begins by exploring the existing literature based in the paradigms of (post-)positivism, poststructuralism and interpretivism. It then discusses the dearth of literature written from an interpretivist perspective and argues the need for this to be rectified.

The main body of the thesis uses semi-structured interviews to study the experiences of a neophyte strength and conditioner throughout his time as volunteer, as an intern and as full-time employee of a top-flight, professional sports team. The results present a contested story infused with the effects of power structures and relationships. The interpretation of which engages with the work of Kelchtermans and colleagues (1993; 2002a; 2002b; 2005; 2009), and Goffman (1959). The thesis concludes that in order to advance the strength and conditioning profession there needs to be more research done from a similar sociological perspective.

Citation

Dawson, R. D. (2016). A novice strength and conditioning coach’s experiences of the complex and contested nature of working in professional sport. (Thesis). University of Hull. Retrieved from https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4220597

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Aug 15, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 23, 2023
• Keywords: Sports science
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4220597
• Additional Information: Department of Sport, Health and Exercise Science, The University of Hull
• Award Date: Oct 1, 2016