Athlete Leadership Development Within Teams: Current Understanding and Future Directions

Area of Science:

• Sport Psychology
• Leadership Studies
• Team Dynamics

Background:

• Athlete leadership, both formal and informal, is crucial for team effectiveness and athlete well-being.
• The impact of athlete leadership on team functioning has been consistently recognized over the past decade.
• Developing systematic approaches to enhance athlete leadership skills is an emerging priority.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review contemporary approaches to athlete leadership development.
• To synthesize current understanding of athlete leadership enhancement strategies.
• To identify future research and applied practice directions in athlete leadership.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of contemporary examples and current understanding.
• Synthesis of existing research on athlete leadership development.
• Identification of gaps and future opportunities in the field.

Main Results:

• While the importance of athlete leadership is recognized, systematic development strategies are lagging.
• Contemporary approaches vary, highlighting a need for structured development programs.
• Future research should focus on evidence-based interventions and practical applications.

Conclusions:

• Enhancing athlete leadership is vital for optimizing team performance and athlete welfare.
• There is a need for more systematic and evidence-based approaches to athlete leadership development.
• Future research and practice should prioritize the cultivation of leadership skills among athletes.