title: Understanding Sources of Knowledge for Coaches of Athletes with Intellectual Disabilities.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent research has investigated development of coaching knowledge; however, less research has investigated the development of coaches who coach athletes with intellectual disabilities. The purpose of this study was to understand how coaches of athletes with intellectual disabilities gain their knowledge.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-five Special Olympics Canada coaches participated in structured telephone interviews investigating actual and ideal sources of coaching knowledge. Coaching knowledge was categorized across the dimensions of competition, organization and training.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Coaches primarily learned by doing and by consulting with coaching peers. Information about ideal sources of coaching knowledge demonstrates that coaches would value structured coaching courses, learning from mentors and from administrative support, in addition to learning on their own and from peers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results suggest that a broader approach to education should be incorporated into coaching athletes with intellectual disabilities. Recommendations for achieving such goals are provided.
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Human Sciences, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE, Canada.
authors.forename: Dany J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: MacDonald
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Human Sciences, University of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown, PE, Canada.
authors.forename: Katie
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Beck
authors.affiliation: School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Erickson
authors.affiliation: School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Côté
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D056352:Athletes / Q000523:psychology*; D002170:Canada; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011361:Professional Competence; D013177:Sports / Q000193:education*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Special Olympics; coach development; coaching; knowledge; sport; training