A qualitative analysis of a positive elite parasport performance culture
Organizational culture in sports affects well-being, performance, and overall success. Although team culture has been explored within able-bodied teams, little is known about culture development within parasport. Using a descriptive case study approach, our study examined the culture development and experiences of an elite parasport team. Two semistructured individual telephone interviews were conducted with nine participants (athletes and staff), and one athlete-participant completed one interview. An inductive thematic analysis revealed two themes: approach to culture development and team culture components. Culture development was linked with facilitative leadership and important resources. This supported the team to create their shared values and mechanisms, including a behavioral framework, other artifacts (e.g., shared language and team motto), and a relaxed environment. These helped to maintain their agreed culture and benefited their well-being, progress, and team cohesion. Our results offer a starting point regarding research into the culture of elite parasport and have practical implications for managers, coaches, and psychologists.
History
School
- Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences
Published in
Adapted Physical Activity QuarterlyVolume
41Issue
1Pages
9–32Publisher
Human KineticsVersion
- AM (Accepted Manuscript)
Rights holder
© Human Kinetics, Inc.Publisher statement
Accepted author manuscript version reprinted, by permission, from Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 2023, 41 (1): 9–32, https://doi.org/10.1123/apaq.2022-0108. © Human Kinetics, Inc.Acceptance date
2023-03-21Publication date
2023-05-09Copyright date
2023ISSN
0736-5829eISSN
1543-2777Publisher version
Language
- en