Dimensioning the coach-athlete relationship: a scoping review focused on the athlete's perspective.

Authors

  • Gabriel Torres Vieira da Costa Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
  • Silvandino Antônio de Assis Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
  • Josemara Fernandes Guedes de Souza Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
  • Renato Gomes Sá de Moraes Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
  • Franco Noce Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18554/aces.7215

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the measurement methods of the Coach-Athlete Relationship (CAR) with a focus on athletes' perspectives, exploring the utilized methods and the main constructs and dimensions addressed to assess these actors.

METHOD: Employing the PRISMA-ScR protocol, a systematic analysis of 399 studies was conducted in databases such as Google Scholar, Science Direct, Web of Science, Scielo, Lilacs, Pub Med, and Scopus, published between 2019 and 2023.

RESULTS: A total of 34 studies were found involving 9,624 athletes, categorized into interviews (11), questionnaires (21), video analysis (1), and case study (1). Sixty instruments were identified with 94 quantitative dimensions and 50 main qualitative themes to measure CAR from the athlete's perspective. The findings emphasize aspects such as support for autonomy, motivational climates, social influence, coach leadership, and athletes' mental health.

CONCLUSION: The diversity of approaches and constructs highlights the complexity of CAR in different sports contexts. The findings underscore the importance of supporting athlete autonomy and transformational leadership, as well as the impact of CAR on athletes' satisfaction and well-being. Future studies should explore additional factors influencing CAR longitudinally and develop pedagogical approaches to empower coaches and enhance athlete autonomy while reducing fear of failure.

KEYWORDS: Coach-Athlete Relationship; Assessment; Sports Psychology; athlete satisfaction; Well-being

Author Biography

  • Franco Noce, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.

    Doutor em Psicobiologia na Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP/EPM - 2010). Mestre em Educação Física / Ciências do Esporte pela Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (1999). Graduado em Educação Física pela UFMG (1996) e Psicologia pela Faculdade Pitágoras (2015). Professor Associado da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. Professor efetivo do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências do Esporte da UFMG. Coordenador da Psicologia do Esporte do Centro de Treinamento Esportivo da UFMG. Membro do Managing Council e Secretário Geral da ISSP (2013-2025). Vice presidente da Associação Brasileira de Estudos em Psicologia do Esporte e do Exercício - ABEPEEx (2020). Tem experiência na área de Educação Física e Psicologia do Esporte, atuando principalmente com o esporte de alto desempenho. Destacam-se a preparação da Equipe de Futebol de Campo da Arábia Saudita (Copa do Mundo Alemanha 2006), Comitê Paraolímpico Brasileiro (Paraolimpíadas Atenas 2004, Pequim 2008, Rio 2016), Sada/Cruzeiro (2009-2010) e diversas outras seleções nacionais (voleibol, tênis, futebol). Consultor da área de psicologia do esporte no Minas Tênis Clube (2019-2023).

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Published

2026-10-13

Issue

Vol. 13 (2025)

Section

Artigos de revisão

License

Copyright (c) 2026 FILES OF SPORTS SCIENCE

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.

Deverá ser encaminhado, no momento da submissão, em documentos suplementares, as declarações de transferência de direitos autorais, responsabilidade e conflito de interesse. As declarações deverão ser elaboradas em documento único, conforme modelo disponibilizado aqui, e assinada pelo autor principal do manuscrito representando cada um dos autores.

How to Cite

1.
Torres Vieira da Costa G, Antônio de Assis S, Fernandes Guedes de Souza J, Gomes Sá de Moraes R, Noce F. Dimensioning the coach-athlete relationship: a scoping review focused on the athlete’s perspective. Arq. Cien. Esporte [Internet]. 2026 Oct. 13 [cited 2026 Oct. 23];13:e025016. Available from: https://seer.uftm.edu.br/revistaeletronica/index.php/aces/article/view/7215