Controlling Behavior, Sex Bias and Coaching Success in Japanese Track and Field

Abstract

Coaching athletes is a complex and lengthy process. Recently, attention has been given to coaches over-controlling behavior toward the athletes’ personal lives and possible sex bias, but the impact of these behaviors on coaching success is unclear. An anonymous survey was answered by 412 track and field coaches (male: 369; female: 43), comprising questions regarding controlling behaviors, sex bias, and personal background. A Chi-square test and logistic regression were performed to determine the factors related to the coach’s characteristics and their success in coaching athletes (to national vs. non-national level). The results showed that controlling behaviors and sex-bias-related beliefs were present. The coaches who coached national-level athletes were more likely to be older, more experienced, and were national level athletes themselves. More national-level coaches reported controlling behaviors but fewer held sex bias beliefs than the non-national level coaches. However, the strength of these beliefs (scores for controlling behavior and sex bias) was not related to the coaching success.

Prevalence of and Factors Associated with Sports Injuries in 11,000 Japanese Collegiate Athletes

“…While male and female combat sports athletes often train together, using the same methodology, there are cultural differences in training among Japanese female and male athletes. Lower participation rates of females in strength training, strength training being perceived as not suitable for the female body, and other sex-biased beliefs in coaches may lead to differences in physical preparation, possibly resulting in differing injury patterns [ 29 ].…”

Awareness and Knowledge of Medical Issues Related to Female Athletes Among Track and Field Coaches

“…The participants were the same as those in a previous study and the survey was distributed in spring of 2021. 19 …”

“…The participants were the same as those in a previous study and the survey was distributed in spring of 2021. 19 A total of 5241 track and field coaches with Japan Sport Association certification were invited to participate in the study. The distributed survey gathered demographic information from participants regarding their sex, affiliations, years of coaching, whether the coaches themselves were athletes and the level they had attained as an athlete if they were one, and their coaching environment including what event they coach and the sex of their athletes.…”