Psychosometric properties of the Lithuanian version of leadership scale for sports

Abstract

The main factor influencing the effectiveness of training sportsmen is an ability of a coach to specialize and individualize athlete‘s physical, technical, and tactical training. The effectiveness of sports training is related to coach leadership. The concept of leadership depends on the person‘s ability to effectively use control and management skills in changing situations and ensure the effectiveness of management (Brown, 2001). Leadership as a process of influence on individuals and social groups pursuing specific goals in the field of physical activity is evident during the processes of goal setting and decision making, motivating sportsmen, giving feedback, managing a group of sportsmen and building relationships in a team (Weinberg & Gould, 2007). The aim of the research was to adapt the Lithuanian version of Leadership Scale for Sports and determine the validity of the instrument. Objects and methods of investigation. The participants of the research were basketball players from 12 to 18 years old (n-230) who volunteered to take part in the research. The objects of the research were chosen using “convenience’ sampling. A Lithuanian version of Leadership Scale for Sports (LSS) Chelladurai, Saleh, 1980) was prepared. The participants of this research had to evaluate the statements of Leadership Scale for Sports using the 5-point Likert scale, ranging from “strongly disagree” to “strongly agree”. Results. Analysis of the inner compatibility of the questionnaire demonstrated a high compatibility of questions according to the phenomenon being measured (Cronbach a -0.950) and confirmed the validity of research method. The rate of inner compatibility of the LSS subscale “Training and instruction” was 0.839, “Social support” – 0.723, “Democratic behavior” – 0.683, “Positive feedback’ – 0.651, “Autocratic behavior’ – 0.506. [...].