Exploring athletes' preferences of coaching leadership behaviours in strength and conditioning coaching: A mixed methods study at a British university

The study investigated athletes’ preferred coaching leadership behaviours in strength and conditioning coaching at a British University, integrating quantitative and qualitative data to evaluate the confirmation or divergence of results. Athletes' preferences were explored to offer novel perspectives in this area. A convergent mixed methods design with parallel databases was implemented, using quantitative data through an electronic questionnaire using the athletesˈ preference version of the Revised Leadership Scale for Strength and Conditioning and qualitative data through semi-structured interviews based on the constructs of that scale. A total of 49 male and female British university athletes completed the questionnaire, and 13 participated in follow-up interviews. The qualitative purposeful sample was a subset of the convenience quantitative sample. The mixed-methods findings are the meta-inferences drawn by comparing the matched quantitative and qualitative findings across six behavioural dimensions: autocratic, democratic, positive feedback, situational consideration, social support, and training and instruction behaviours. The survey results illustrate the preferences of behaviours, and the qualitative findings confirmed and further expanded the survey results. Athletes appreciate a mix of autocratic and democratic behaviours, valuing authority when necessary but predominantly collaboration, especially in goal-setting. Positive feedback and instructions are highly valued when genuine, contextually appropriate, and provided during significant efforts, such as when lifting heavy weights or learning new techniques. Athletes appreciate coaches who maintain professional boundaries whilst showing empathy, strong social interaction skills, and the capacity to consider situational factors to set achievable goals. An integrated mixed-methods analysis highlights how behaviours cannot be evaluated independently of context and that strength and conditioning coaches should exhibit adaptability and a genuine interest in developing personal connections. These findings offer a basis for further research to expand the investigation of coaching leadership behaviours in strength and conditioning coaching.