Psychological dimensions in a cycling junior team: a phenomenological study on its particularities

Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify and understand the experiences and psychological challenges experienced by athletes in the junior cycling category, from a phenomenological perspective. Nine athletes were part of the sample and underwent two interviews. A first as an exploration of their life stories in the modality and a second that delved deeper into the reports obtained. In the results, 6 categories were described: Community on two wheels; Pedal, exceed, recognize and again, pedal; Can not stop; The other: what marks and what needs to be marked; Corporeality and Cycling: much more than cycling. From them, its opened the comprehension the psychological horizon and the challenges related to the commitment to cycling on the part of athletes in this category, bringing us closer to the possibility of making use of this knowledge for psychological attention focused on the sport, goals and adequate coping. to each athlete as well as personalized work with coaches.