The supportive sideline: understanding parental impact during athletic transitions

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to explore how parental involvement, pressure, and support are communicated to athletes during their transition into high-performance sports. Parents play a crucial role in athletic development by providing opportunities for early sport sampling and eventual specialization. However, there is a lack of research on how these factors are communicated to athletes. Using qualitative interviews with six high-performance athletes, it was revealed that while parents initially played a strong role in decision-making, athletes gradually gained autonomy over time. Parental involvement shifted from active participation to a spectator role as the athletes matured. Parental support was primarily financial, but emotional support, including attendance, non-verbal cues, and verbal affirmations, was also crucial. Athletes who shared the pressures of high-performance sports with their parents found relief, though many struggled to open up. While parental pressure was generally perceived as supportive and expectations were reasonable, most athletes internalized pressure. Athletes typically led conversations regarding their performance, with most valuing honest feedback. The importance of parental communication is highlighted in shaping an athlete’s experience during a critical transition in their athletic career.