Vallerand et al. (2003) developed a dualistic model of passion, wherein two types of passion are proposed: harmonious (HP) and obsessive (OP) passion that predict adaptive and less adaptive interpersonal outcomes, respectively. In the present research, we were interested in understanding the role of passion in the quality of coach-athlete relationships. Results of Study 1, conducted with athletes (N=157), revealed that HP positively predicts a high-quality coach-athlete relationship, whereas OP was largely unrelated to such relationships. Study 2 was conducted with coaches (N=106) and showed that only HP positively predicted the quality of the coach-athlete relationship. Furthermore, these effects were fully mediated by positive emotions. Finally, the quality of the coach-athlete relationship positively predicted coaches' subjective well-being. Future research directions are discussed in light of the dualistic model of passion.

Exercise improves health and physical function in older people, but very few older people participate although the trend is for increasing participation. This study sought to determine whether short duration sprint interval training (SIT) improves health and physical function in older people. Seventeen (9 M and 8 F) older adults (age 66 ± 3 years) were recruited. Participants had blood pressure, physical function and blood lipid profile measured and were then allocated to a control group (CON n = 7) or a SIT group (n = 10). The control group maintained daily activities; the SIT group performed 10 weeks of twice-weekly training sessions of 6-s sprints. By week 10, training sessions lasted 11.6 ± 0.6-min. Ten weeks of SIT resulted in significant changes in pulse pressure (

ObjectiveThe purpose of the present study was to investigate the empathic accuracy of coach-athlete dyads participating in team and individual sports. MethodAn adaptation of Ickes's (2001) unstructured dyadic interaction paradigm was used to assess the empathic accuracy of 40 coach-athlete dyads. Accordingly, each dyad was filmed during a training session. The dyad members viewed selected video footage that displayed discrete interactions that had naturally occurred during that session. Dyad members reported what they remembered thinking/feeling while making inferences about what their partner's thought/felt at each point. Empathic accuracy was estimated by comparing self-reports and inferences. ResultsThe results indicted that accuracy for coaches in individual sports was higher than coaches in team sports. Shared cognitive focus also differed between team and individual sports, and fully mediated the effect of sport-type on coach empathic accuracy. Moreover, coaches whose training sessions were longer demonstrated increased empathic accuracy. No differences were found for athletes. ConclusionsThe results suggest that the dynamics of the interaction between a coach and an athlete play a key role in how accurately they perceive each other. Empathic Accuracy 3Empathic accuracy in coach-athlete dyads who participate in team and individual sports Coaches and athletes work closely together, they form close relationships, and have a high degree of interaction and reliance upon each other. This is manifested in interdependence of the coach's and the athlete's affect, cognition, and behaviours (Jowett, 2007), and in the athlete's need to acquire knowledge and skill from the coach, the coach's need to impart knowledge, experience, and expertise to the athlete, and for them both to translate this information into positive outcomes such as performance success (Antonini Philippe & Seiler, 2006). This highly complex and interdependent process primarily unfolds in the training environment or during periods of practicing the requisite skills, techniques, and strategies.The manner in which coaches and athletes interact can have a profound impact upon the effectiveness of their training sessions which, in turn, it is possible that this may directly or indirectly influence such factors as satisfaction, enjoyment, motivation, and performance.The manner in which coaches and athletes interact can shape the quality of their dyadic athletic relationship and also determine the quality of coaching (Jowett & Poczwardowski, 2007). Yet there are many unknown factors that may potentially contribute to positive coachathlete relationships and successful coaching.

This study investigated the empathic accuracy of sixty coach-athlete dyads, its antecedents (meta-perceptions of relationship) and consequences (perceptions of satisfaction). An adaptation of Ickes's (2001) unstructured dyadic interaction paradigm was used to assess empathic accuracy whereby coach-athlete dyads were filmed during training. A selection of video clips containing the dyads' interactions during a typical training session were shown to them. The dyad members were asked to report their recollected thoughts and/or feelings while making inferences about what their partner's thought and felt at specific points of interaction. Empathic accuracy was estimated by comparing the dyads' self-reports and inferences. The results of a structural equation model analysis indicated an association between members' meta-perceptions or judgments that their partner is positive about the athletic relationship and increased empathic accuracy. Increased empathic accuracy was in turn associated with higher levels of satisfaction. These results are discussed based on issues they raise for theory and measurement.

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