The hills are alive with … Many different folk! Rationalising and operationalising a professional judgment and decision making approach within mountain leadership

Abstract

Growth in the adventure sector has increased the demands on adventure sport professionals.Satisfying a diverse range of participatory motivations, however, requires an adaptable and flexible workforce. In this discursive paper we suggested that a narrowing of service skills caused by commodification and sportification, are compounded by general (mis)perceptions of who best suits the adventure sector. Accordingly, this paper discussed two important implications for outdoor professionals to improve inclusivity standards. Specifically, using mountain leadership as an exemplar, we firstly, presented themes in connection with motivations and social dynamics. Secondly, we contextualised these themes against pertinent environmental challenges. Finally, we presented a decision-making approach and its requisite planning and reflective skill-sets, designed to assist mountaineering professionals to negotiate the complexity presented by individualised service provision. We concluded that there are no simple solutions to these complex and multiple issues. Services require better alignment between epistemology and delivery via an epistemological chain.

Undergraduate perspectives on the epistemological chain in adventure sports coaching

“…This reinforces the multi-layered influences of an AS coach and the importance of building upon these studies to better understand behaviours and decision-making in ASC and in a range of environments and disciplines. Carson et al's., (2020) discovery in a mountain leadership context reinforces the importance of understanding decision-making in AS practice, from decisions which require immediate action to those cognitively audited. Here two styles of decisionmaking were established.…”

“…However, knowing when to use a CDM or NDM approach is a part of being a reflexive and adaptable coach and thus, arguably, a key feature of sophisticated epistemology, and an important area for continued exploration in the field (Crowther et al, 2018;Carson et al, 2020). Berry (2020) suggested creating a systematic process to improve judgment, where the EC supplies the link between beliefs about knowledge creation and coach behaviour.…”

Proposing a new conceptualisation for modern sport based on environmental and regulatory constraints: implications for research, coach education and professional practice

“…Accordingly, an extreme experience for one individual might not be for another, irrespective of the task (cf. Carson et al, 2020).…”

“…Equally, from an applied perspective, professional coaching practice within these domains should be founded on sound evidence, including from the research literature. If it is not clear from which domain data are genuinely being reported, this could result in a lack of complete, or incorrect, understanding of appropriate actions against a range of possible client needs (Carson et al, 2020;Martindale & Collins, 2005); therefore a shared understanding of what these terms mean are essential. Indeed, sport science and coaching articles have recently stressed the importance of a nuanced 'expertise' approach which focuses on bespoke, individually-tailored solutions within practice, versus 'competency' based approaches which encourage standardised and repeatable solutions for all participants (Carling, 2013;Collins et al, 2015;).…”

Ethical considerations and limited guidance for research in adventure sports coaching

“…Whereas adventurous activities conjure images of kayaking or climbing where there is little to no regulation as to how individuals participate, creating a condition for confusion amongst stakeholders (Batuev & Robinson, 2019). However, it is not the activity that defines an adventure sport; it is the way in which the participant engages in the activity (Carson, Davies, & Collins, 2020), however, defining this engagement is opaque. A lack of definitional clarity is problematic for researchers; unacknowledged heterogeneity within these forms of the sport means that data may not always be compared or presented as valid nor reliable.…”