COVID-19 and Brazilian handball coaches: impacts on training prescription and professional learning

Abstract Aims: This study aimed to analyze the influences of social isolation on the professional performance of Brazilian handball coaches and their expectations for the return of training sessions. Methods: Fifty-two handball coaches participated in this study (Mage=37.4 years; SDage=8.4), who coach U-8 to adult teams, and answered an online survey divided into two main sections: a) coaches’ actions with athletes and/or teams throughout social isolation; b) professional learning during social isolation. Descriptive statistics were used for quantitative data analysis and Thematic Analysis for qualitative data analysis. Results: The coaches mentioned that the contact with the teams has been made mostly with WhatsApp (94.2%) and Google Meet or Zoom (75.0%), in which coaches mainly emphasize physical fitness (69.2%) and tactical knowledge (67.3%). For professional learning, coaches are participating in online lectures (96.2%), and virtual meetings (92.3%). Coaches also seek content mainly related to teaching approaches (82.7%), and specific handball exercises (75.0%). Regarding expectations after the social isolation, coaches reported concern about uncertainties for sports practice (restriction of physical contact, decreased incentives for teams, and competitions) and possible psychological benefits (motivation to practice, overcoming difficulties, and learning new resources). Conclusion: The coaches revealed the concern about maintaining the athletes’ performance during the social isolation, the uncertainties for the future of the teams, and the difficulties to use different resources for training. We suggested that the courses for coaches emphasize aspects that enable the learning of new technologies (e.g. social networks, video edition, and research platforms).

摘要 研究目的：本研究旨在分析社交隔离对巴西手球教练员职业执教表现的影响，以及其对恢复训练课的期待。
研究方法：本研究共招募52名手球教练员参与（平均年龄37.4岁，年龄标准差8.4），他们执教U-8至成人组队伍，并完成了一份分为两大模块的线上调查问卷：a）社交隔离期间教练员与运动员及/或队伍的互动举措；b）社交隔离期间的职业学习经历。定量数据分析采用描述性统计法（Descriptive Statistics），定性数据分析则采用主题分析法（Thematic Analysis）。
研究结果：教练员提及，与队伍的沟通主要通过WhatsApp（94.2%）及Google Meet或Zoom（75.0%）开展，其中教练员主要聚焦于运动员的体能训练（69.2%）与战术知识传授（67.3%）。在职业学习方面，教练员参与了线上讲座（96.2%）与虚拟会议（92.3%），同时主要寻求与教学方法（82.7%）及专项手球训练内容（75.0%）相关的学习资源。针对社交隔离结束后的期待，教练员们表示担忧体育训练实践中的各类不确定性（如身体接触受限、队伍参赛激励不足及赛事停办），同时也期待能获得积极心理收益，包括训练动力提升、克服困难及学习新训练资源的机会。
研究结论：教练员们坦言，他们担忧社交隔离期间运动员竞技状态的维持、队伍未来发展的不确定性，以及难以灵活运用多元资源开展训练。本研究建议，针对教练员的培训课程应重点涵盖新技术学习相关内容，例如社交网络使用、视频剪辑及科研平台操作等。