El entrenador de alto nivel en triatlón: entorno próximo y El entrenador de alto nivel en triatlón: entorno próximo y cualidades fundamentales para el rendimiento cualidades fundamentales para el rendimiento High level triathlon coach: close environment and basic High level triathlon coach: close environment and basic performance qualities performance qualities

Not much attention has been paid to the high level coach (H.L.C.) in triathlon and his environment; howeve this one could be influencing the sport microsystem. The aim of the present study is to describe this microsystem. The assessed factors are: interaction coach-athletes, sports goals, satisfaction with various environmental agents (triathletes, other coaches, federations and club), workplace, academic level and family environment. In addition, a number of qualities associated with a successful coaching are valued. Participants are 14 H.L.C. on active service out of a universal sample of 15 in high level Spanish triathlon. All of them are males (average age= 37,43 years old ±7,27). Using the questionnaire, the research follows a quantitative and descriptive design. The personal interviews were carried by the same researcher in the preparatory period. The results show Spanish high level triathlon as a sports system centralized in centers of performance for triathletes. Triathlon nature and coaches’ environment do not make their presence in the competition be determinant in athlete’s performance (only one coach was present in all competitions). The ratio number of elite athletes / coach is 3.71 (± 3.04), and total count ratio between athletes of different levels is 8 (± 4.78). This is a suitable number for current conditions, but it could be improvable in high level conditions. Coaches’ academic level is very good and it is specific to their profession. Confidence in personal interaction (4,69 over 5) proves to be the most valued factor by the H.L.C. In this sense, they consider the personal sphere to be more relevant than sports sphere.