Track and field coaches' perspective and experiences of including osteopaths in shared management of elite athletes: A descriptive phenomenological study

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the track and field elite athletes’ coaches' perspectives and experiences regarding their athletes' osteopathic treatments to contribute to the development of integrated management models based on their expectations and experiences.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from Italian elite athletes’ coaches enrolled in the study. An inductive analysis of the interviews was conducted using a descriptive phenomenological methodology. Data saturation was assessed in parallel with the data gathering to determine the sample size. Two additional interviews verified data saturation.

Results

Data saturation was reached with 11 participants (female = 3; male = 9). Participants’ ages ranged from 28 to 70 years old. The analysis showed 1 overarching theme, “Shared decision-making on the track promotes performance and recovery,”

4 themes

(1) “Elite athletes' coaches work in a highly specialized multidisciplinary team characterized by mutual trust and oriented towards shared decision-making” (2) “Osteopathic treatment is perceived to be effective in managing injuries but it is recognized that its main purpose is to prevent them” (3) “Continuous therapeutic relationships addressing body awareness and psychosocial factors improve elite athletes’ performance” and (4) “Field-specific assessments performed by the osteopath inform training plan and recovery strategies”, and 16 categories.

Conclusion

TF athletes’ coaches aim to work in a highly specialized multidisciplinary team characterized by mutual trust and oriented towards shared decision-making to manage and prevent injuries and enhance performance.