Title:
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An exploration of how the discourse within educational neuroscience might inform developmental understanding of decision making in the context of elite academy football
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This thesis explores the potential for applying a 'Mind Brain and Education' (MBE)
perspective in a football-coaching context, specifically through focusing on the
application of neuroscience in the area of decision-making. It presents a series of interrelated
research studies undertaken at a professional foot ball academy and the English
Football Association (FA).
The thesis combined different perspectives (social, psychological and neuroscientific)
and drew on methods from both quantitative and qualitative research traditions. An
initial quasi-experimental study explored decision-making across different age ranges
and findings were indicative of a developmental discontinuity in risk-based decision-making,
with a particular sensitivity for mid-adolescents. To help gain experiential
insight on this issue, qualitative studies were then undertaken with a small group of
mid-adolescent players. Self-confrontation interviews helped build a picture of the
sporting contexts associated with 'risky' decision-making during match play.
These findings prompted broader investigation into the culture within which such
insights might find application. A qualitative study was undertaken, exploring academy
coaches' current constructions around cognitive neuroscience and its potential
integration into football pedagogy. This prompted further inquiry at the national level of
the FA, exploring perspectives for integrating an MBE perspective into national
education programmes.
Insights from academy and national coaches were indicative of a broad enthusiasm for
the integration of an MBE perspective in football education. The present period,
involving structural and policy changes, particularly for youth football, was felt to
represent a potentially fertile climate to introduce insights drawn from MBE into
football. At the same time it was recognised that unique challenges exist in translating
and communicating neuroscience concepts to a football audience, a task which may
benefit from greater dialogue between the institutions involved.
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