Understanding the meta-transition experiences of Chinese table tennis athletes during the transition to first level...

Researchers have highlighted elite and professional athletes' demands and barriers during their broader transitions within national sport systems from Western perspectives. Using a culturally sensitive methodology, we aimed to broaden this topic by exploring the elite athletes' meta-transitions and experiences during the transition to first level teams within the Chinese sport context from an Eastern philosophy/perspective.

Data collection was conducted through five group reflective practice interviews, aligning with our Eastern philosophy and scientist-practitioner positions. Fourteen elite male table tennis athletes in first level teams from eight provinces in China participated. The interviews were analyzed through a template analysis which is a form of qualitative analysis used to interpret participants' meta-transitions and experiences through a double hermeneutic. The data is represented by a polyphonic tale to safeguard participants' anonymity whilst showcasing different demands and barriers as well as the relationships between each meta-transition from athletes' varying experiences.

Five meta-transitions were found during Chinese athletes' transition to first level teams in the CWNS to describe their nuanced demands and barriers in each meta-transition.

Culturally sensitive methodologies, the scientist-practitioner principles, and meta-transitions should be promoted to understand athletes' experiences and develop tailor career assistance and interventions that can help athletes strive for career excellence.