Esporte Universitário: análise do ponto de vista dos atletas sobre o trabalho das comissões técnicas das equipes de treinamento da UFU

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to investigate the perceptions of university athletes regarding the work of coaching staffs of the sports teams at the Federal University of Uberlândia (UFU), as well as to understand the relevance attributed to academic training in Physical Education for the role of coach. This qualitative and descriptive research employed semi-structured interviews as the primary data collection instrument. A total of 22 athletes from team sports were interviewed, respecting criteria of gender diversity and sports representativeness. Data analysis was conducted using Bardin’s (2016) content analysis technique, and responses were organized into thematic categories. The results revealed a generally positive perception of the coaching staffs, highlighting aspects such as dedication and passion for the profession, professional competence, organization and planning, and strong interpersonal relationships between coaches and athletes. Negative aspects were mentioned less frequently and were more dispersed, with criticisms focusing on flaws in technical planning, tactical inflexibility, excessive training intensity, and interpersonal management issues. Some criticisms also referred to institutional limitations beyond the control of the coaching staffs, such as structural issues and lack of university support. The study concludes that the work of UFU’s coaching staffs is highly valued by athletes, especially for their ethical conduct, commitment, and efforts despite structural limitations. The research also underscores the importance of academic training and continuous professional development for effective performance in the university sports context.