Fifteenth International Conference on Sport & Society

Abstract

The aim of this pilot study was to explore former NCAA Division 1 female student-athlete’s experience of a strength and conditioning program and the result this had on self-efficacy of sport skill performance. This case study comprised of four participants that have prior collegiate strength training program experience. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews and a reflective journal; the transcribed interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. From the analysis, four themes emerged: connections of strength training to sport skill performance, confidence in oneself, injury prevention program, and motivation to perform. From the players’ perspective, care needs to be taken to explain the purpose of an exercise and the benefit it will have for a play performance. Other factors that play an important role in a strength training program are team motivation, individual goal setting, bonding, and communication with the strength coach, as all these items appear to be fundamentals of coaching.