A Case Study of Factors Influencing Performance in the Practice Environment

Smith, Steve M, Cotterill, Stewart T and Brown, Hazel ORCID: 0000-0002-3327-3510 (2019) A Case Study of Factors Influencing Performance in the Practice Environment. Case Studies in Sport and Exercise Psychology, 3 (1). pp. 33-40.

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Official URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1123/cssep.2019-0004

Abstract

<jats:p>Athletes’ practice environment can influence their competitive performance. The influencing performance factors present in practice are understudied, and the aim of this study was to explore these factors. Using a case-study approach, the authors investigated a basketball practice environment to reveal influencing performance factors. Participants were 15 members of a U.K. Elite Academy Basketball League team based in a sixth-form college (equivalent to American high school age) that included 10 players, 2 coaches, 1 strength and conditioning coach, 1 academic teacher, and the head of sport (mean age 21.8 yr). A case-study approach was adopted to collect data from interviews, focus groups, and direct observations to provide a holistic assessment of the practice environment. Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis, which revealed 6 overarching themes: effort, status, individuality, preparation, team drive, and practice vision. Data analysis exposed several themes of influencing performance factors unreported in previous literature, suggesting that practice environments should be viewed as a stand-alone field of investigative enquiry. The results from this study provide a much-needed foray into the psychological influences of practice and give practitioners the opportunity to reflect on the results against their own practice environments.</jats:p>

Item Type:	Article
Divisions:	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences > School of Histories, Languages and Cultures
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	10 May 2021 08:30
Last Modified:	18 Jan 2023 22:49
DOI:	10.1123/cssep.2019-0004
Related URLs:	Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3121988