PURPOSE This study seeks to explore the subjectivity regarding leisure constraints perceived by college student-athletes. METHODS Based on Q methodology as an analysis framework, 25 Q-samples and 25 P-samples suitable for the research purpose were selected, and Q-classification and Q-factor analysis were conducted. RESULTS The leisure constraints were categorized into “Type Ⅰ: Psychological constraints,” “Type Ⅱ: Financial constraints,” and “Type Ⅲ: Spatio-temporal constraints.” The three types provided discussions on “strong athlete identity of student-athletes,” “role conflict between students and athletes,” “core competencies of student-athletes,” “current student-athlete support project,” and “school sports camp training.” CONCLUSIONS College student-athletes’ leisure constraints are closely related to strong athlete identity, anxiety about enjoying leisure, cost burden, and closedness of camp training, and each type provided new perspectives on discussions related to Korean student-athletes.
PURPOSE This study aimed to explore the effective and pragmatic idea regarding the development of physical education teacher education (PETE) programs in China. These programs share both similarities and differences in China and Korea, and they are also discussed here. METHODS Six universities reflecting the regional specificities of Korea and China were selected following consultation with experts. Data collected through in-depth interviews, non-participatory observation, literature, and local documents were analyzed and interpreted by using the comparative analysis research method. RESULTS First, when comparing the curriculum, which was divided into liberal arts, major, and teaching subjects in both countries, the ratio of liberal arts and teaching subjects was similar in Korea following major subjects. As for China, major subjects came in first, followed by liberal arts and teaching subjects. Second, the relative pros and cons of preliminary sports teacher education in Korea and China were aimed at nurturing competent sports experts with both expertise and personality. They were generally similar in terms of content dimensions; however, they were found to be different in several areas. Particularly in the case of China regarding the teaching subject, practical subjects that were of pragmatic help to the school field were found to be relatively insufficient. Third, the implications for improving China's preliminary PETE were to emphasize the importance of personality in educational goals at the goal level, and as for the content level, it was necessary to replaced them with classes that could be of pragmatic use in the existing teaching method. Furthermore, at the methodological level, professional training of physical education teachers should be proposed, training them to cultivate character. Finally, more positive changes can be pursued if efforts at the environmental level are well-matched and improved. CONCLUSIONS To improve China's preliminary PETE program, it is necessary to enhance the environment and institutions using various teaching methods to cultivate expertise, such as practical aspects of university-field linkage and preliminary teacher personality education.
Purpose The purpose of this study was to examine athletes’ psychological competition experiences. Methods For this study, 64 student athletes, attending universities located in Seoul and Chungcheongbuk-do, participated in the study by completing an unconstructed questionnaire. The data were analysed through content analysis method. Results As a result, 15 themes, such as morale loss, comparable performance levels, opponent irritation were collected and the themes were classified into three categories including objectives of psychological competition, requirements of psychological competition, and psychological battle. In match situations, athletes attempt to psychologically compete in order to achieve objectives such as opponent’s morale loss, induce carelessness, trigger agitation and anger, dispersion of attention, and distraction. Psychological competition among rivals is valid when the requirements, such as comparable performance levels, sensitivity to match situations, strong tenacity and confidence, understanding of opponent and oneself, mutual checks and balances, are met. Athletes attack and defend to win the psychological competition by utilizing opponents irritation, information distortion, unexpected behaviors, predicting and coping, pulling a poker face, exclusion of opponents, and self-focusing. Conclusion This study created a theoretical foundation for a profound understanding of athletes’ psychological competition, which is often found in sport fields. Furthermore, this study is meaningful in that it has raised a chance of interest concerning psychological interaction between players in match situations.
