RETHINKING GOAL SETTING IN YOUTH SPORT: INSIGHTS FROM OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC ATHLETES

INTRODUCTION: Youth sport dropout rates are alarmingly high, with organised participation dropping by 50% between ages 10-14 and 15-19. This is concerning given the psychological, social, and physical benefits of youth sport, prompting interest in improving the quality of experience to sustain participation. Goal-setting guidance typically emphasises SMART (e.g., Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timebound) goals focused on specific performance outcomes, yet concerns have emerged about whether these approaches align with the developmental needs and motivations of youth. Olympic and Paralympic athletes are in a unique position to provide perspectives and recommendations for strategies to support the development of youth sport participants. Therefore, this study explored the perspectives of Olympic and Paralympic athletes on appropriate goal-setting practices for youth sport. METHODS: Participants included 14 Olympic and Paralympic athletes (6 female, 8 male; aged 21-52 years). Athletes included multiple gold medallists who collectively won 24 Olympic and Paralympic medals across up to six Games. Semi-structured interviews were conducted by an Olympic athlete (EB), enhancing rapport and elite sport understanding. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis with rigour enhanced through reflexive journaling and critical friends discussions. RESULTS: Four key themes were generated regarding recommendations for goal-setting practices in youth sport: (1) avoid externally imposed outcome-focused goals as the default approach; (2) prioritise goals that foster enjoyment and effort over performance; (3) individualise goal-setting based on athlete characteristics; and (4) adapt goal-setting to contextual factors. Athletes emphasised that rigid adherence to specific performance goals in all circumstances risks undermining enjoyment, creating unsustainable pressure, and potentially contributing to dropout. CONCLUSION: Olympic and Paralympic athletes recommend moving beyond one-size-fits-all approaches to goal-setting in youth sport. These insights challenge traditional guidance and instead advocate for flexible goal-setting that ensures goals are aligned with the varying motivations, needs, and circumstances of young athletes.