Metaphoric perceptions of athletes, trainers and parents on the concept of gymnastics

The aim of this study, which was made by taking the metaphorical opinions of trainers, parents and athletes, on the concept of gymnastics, is to reveal the perceptions of the selected stakeholders. Criterion sampling, one of the phenomenological model and purposive sampling methods, was used in this qualitative study. The research group consists of 98 athletes, 30 coaches and 54 parents, who are in ten sports clubs of the federation in Ankara. In order to collect data in the research, 3 different "metaphor forms" were prepared to determine the perceptions of the participants about the concept of gymnastics. In metaphor form, the participants said "Gymnastics is like……; Because..…" were asked to complete the sentence. For the reliability of the analysis of the research data, the reliability coefficient between the participants was calculated and this value was found to be 89%. As a result of the evaluation of the data, it was seen that they produced a total of 106 metaphors. These metaphors produced were grouped separately by the opinions of 3 participants (coach, parent, athlete).A total of 6 categories were obtained from the perceptions of the first group, the trainers, about the concept of gymnastics. While it was determined that the participants developed metaphors in the categories of "being useful" and "being difficult" related to the concept of gymnastics, these categories were followed by the categories of "being adopted", "demanding continuity", "being aesthetic" and "being the main / main". A total of 9 categories were obtained from the perceptions of the second group, the parents, about the concept of gymnastics. While it was determined that the participants developed metaphors in the categories of "being useful" and "being the main / main" related to the concept of gymnastics, these categories were determined as "being necessary", "being difficult", "being happy", "being raising awareness", "being aesthetic", "being addicted" and "being fun" categories followed. A total of 7 categories were obtained from the perceptions of the third group, the athletes, about the concept of gymnastics. While it was determined that the participants developed metaphors in the categories of "being fun" and "being loved", these categories were followed by the categories of "being a sport", "being useful", "being happy", "being difficult" and "being comfortable". The metaphors most produced by the participants were listed as entertainment, sports, life, game and water. In addition, when the views of the participants were compared, it was observed that there were rank differences in the categories. For example, while the category of "being useful" is at the top for trainers and parents, it is at the end for athletes. It is considered normal to have ranking differences As a result of the research, all of the participants expressed positive opinions about the concept of gymnastics.