The importance of touch in sport: Coaches' and athletes' reflections

Abstract

While a growing body of literature exists on the potential for inappropriate touch and maltreatment in sport, research on the importance of touch within this environment is limited. The purpose of this research was to better understand the conditions under which touch is viewed as important in sport. More specifically, this study examined coaches' and athletes' perceptions of the importance of touch, including examples of positive athlete touch, situations in which positive touch is used, and factors affecting athletes' acceptability of touch within this environment. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 coaches and 13 athletes. A variety of sports and sport types were represented. Data were coded using a combination of inductive and deductive coding techniques. All participants shared examples of positive athlete touch in sport including, as some examples: hugs, high fives, pats on the back/head/shoulder, hand shaking, and spotting. A number of reasons for the use of positive touch were identified, which were categorized into the higher order themes of affective, behavioural, cultural, and safety reasons. Factors affecting athletes' general acceptability of touch were also discussed, including demographic, intrapersonal, interpersonal, and contextual variables. Findings are interpreted to suggest that touch is important and necessary within the sport environment; however, in order to be most beneficial, it needs to be facilitated in a way that is best suited to the individual needs of the athlete. Based on the study findings, ways in which touch may be enhanced in sport are suggested and recommendations are posed for future research.