Author ORCID Identifier
Date Available
5-6-2021
Year of Publication
2021
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Document Type
Doctoral Dissertation
College
Education
Department/School/Program
Education Sciences
First Advisor
Dr. Heather Erwin
Abstract
This dissertation examines the area of high performance in elite sport through high performance professionals’ perspectives in the United States Olympic and Paralympic National Governing Bodies. The study’s purpose was to establish a shared meaning of the high performance sport management model by its elements in the athletic arena. Interviews with 16 high performance directors and managers were conducted to establish definitions, backgrounds, and anatomy of high performance in sport: high performance, high performance sport, high performance management, high performance model.
A qualitative secondary analysis was conducted to examine the high performance model in the U.S. and explore the job responsibilities of high performance directors in elite sport. In particular to this study, the secondary research questions were a part of the original question script, allowing data analysis from responses within the original interviews.
This paper introduces and recognizes two separate high performance models, an International and a United States model, along with introducing a functional definition of the elements that represent the two models. As part of improving the high performance approach, management and leadership characteristics are presented to strengthen organizations and leaders in elite sport development. A university degree program and internship placement strategies are suggested as a core education and student experience to introduce future elite sports leaders to the high performance environment.
The study’s findings show a lack of definition, implementation, and understanding of high performance management and the high performance model in this country. High performance consists of elite-level athletes competing on the professional or world stage, supported by coaches, sport sciences, and a high performance department that assists performance improvement through management and administration, not solely through direct athlete performance services. Establishing a common approach to high performance management is essential for performance development personnel to progress and enhance training quality for the athlete and staff here in the United States.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2021.081
Funding Information
KINESIOLOGY AND HEALTH PROMOTION RESEARCH AWARD 2020-2021 UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY, LEXINGTON, KENTUCKY
Recommended Citation
Hill, Jon Gregory, "High Performance: Exploratory Study into the High Performance Model and Qualitative Secondary Analysis of Elite Sport Management in the United States" (2021). Theses and Dissertations--Education Sciences. 87.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/edsc_etds/87
Included in
Health and Physical Education Commons, Sports Management Commons, Sports Sciences Commons
