Theoretical profiles assist in enhancing psychological strategies for masters sport athletes, indicating better athlete engagement.
Masters sport is for adult athletes typically aged 35 years and older who balance performance goals, social connections, and sport adherence strategies. In this article, we present adult-oriented coaching profiles that assist practitioners in better understanding, assessing, and developing psychological strategies when working with Masters athletes. Five theoretical coaching profiles are derived from a secondary analysis of empirical data, aligning coaching practices with athlete psychological outcomes such as motivation, self-confidence, and autonomy. We provide the profiles as practical resources for mental performance consultants, coach developers, and coaches in promoting quality interactions, meaningful competition, and athlete empowerment, which ultimately support the growth of effective, psychologically-informed coaching practices for adult athletes. Emphasizing adaptable strategies across coaching contexts, the profiles guide conversations on the recruitment, development, and retention of adults in sport, fostering lifelong participation through meaningful engagement and personalized psychological approaches.
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Callary et al. (2025) studied this question.
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