Olympic weightlifting sport coaches professional practice transformation through reflexive support groups between educators
Alvarez Feliciano, Ramon Luis. University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras (Puerto Rico), ProQuest Dissertations Publishing, 2015. 3703462.
The main purpose of this research explores the impact on the practice of sports coaches in weightlifting (EDH) while implementing an andragogical approach to the Department of Recreation and Sports (DRD, Spanish version) certification process, through the implementation of reflexive groups support among educators (GARE, Spanish version). The design of this research is framed in the paradigm of the mixed method, with a QUAN qual design, which gave more emphasis to the quantitative part and less emphasis on the qualitative part. The questionnaire Mastery Test of a Sport Session (PDSE Spanish version) was designed and administered as pre-test to six Olympic Weight lifting Sport Coaches (EDH, Spanish version) and two of their respective athletes (n= 18). With this instrument mastery of EDH was explored while organizing the training session, supervising the athletes and facilitating their physical, technical, tactical, theoretical, and mental competencies of his athletes. After this, the six EDH implanted the GARE phases. After the implantation of the GARE phases, a semi structured interview to the EDH was done. Then the PDSE questionnaire was administered again as posttest to the six EDH and their athletes (n=18), after this, data was compared. The findings were submitted to a central trend of statistics (Average and Percent), a triangulation of source (EDH-Athletes) and a triangulation of method (Questionnaire-Interview). EDH, as well as athletes, agreed to perceive that after the implantation of GARE a transformation in the professional practice of the EDH occurred. With this study, it was demonstrated that GARE is not a Sport Scenery activity but it does have a positive impact in the professional development of EDH. Therefore, from the findings, it is recommended that for the DRD certification, an andragogical approach considering GARE should be incorporated to transform professional practice of EDH in Puerto Rico.