Table 1 Themes and subthemes with anchor examples and frequencies from content analysis
From: An unbeatable opponent? Coaches’ perspectives on the impact of climate change in outdoor sports
Main theme | Frequencies | Subtheme | Anchor examples |
|---|---|---|---|
Positive effects | 19 | Extended outdoor season Milder temperatures Higher performance | Earlier start and later end to the outdoor season, longer outdoor training periods Positive effects during winter training, better breathing conditions, reduced physical strain due to cold Improved performance in technical disciplines, lower risk of muscle injuries due to higher temperatures |
Heat-related risks | 1,023 | Cardiovascular stress Dehydration Heat emergencies | Increased cardiovascular stress, impaired blood circulation, symptoms like dizziness, malaise, unconsciousness Dehydration, complications like thrombosis, embolism, electrolyte imbalances, headaches, cramps, increased need for water Sunburn, sunstroke, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, overheating, collapse |
Accident and injury risks | 165 | Extreme weather events Topographical or surface changes | Unpredictable weather (heavy rain, storms, thunderstorms), falling trees, landslides, avalanches, mudslides, rockfalls, drowning from circulatory problems or large temperature differences while swimming/diving, sailing-related water hazards Increased injury risk due to drought, hard outdoor surfaces |
UV-related risks | 669 | Skin diseases Eye diseases | Dermatitis solaris, UV-induced inflammatory reactions, risk of skin cancer, epithelial (especially basal cell carcinoma and spinalioma) and non-epithelial (especially melanoma) skin tumors, carcinomas Eye diseases, irritation, risk of cataracts |
Respiratory risks | 350 | Ozone exposure Particulate matter exposure Allergies | Respiratory diseases and breathing difficulties due to higher ozone levels Respiratory diseases like bronchial asthma increasing due to air pollution Pollen-induced allergies, asthma, hay fever |
Infection risks | 40 | Vector-borne infections Water-borne infections Food-borne infections | Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), diseases transmitted by arthropods (ticks, mosquitoes), leishmaniasis Increased risk from bacterial contamination of water, blue-green algae affecting water quality Contamination of drinking water and provisions |
Mental health risks | 49 | Frustration and demotivation Psychological stress Anxiety, depression and traumatization | Lack of motivation, reduced drive to exercise, fewer opportunities to participate in sports Increased stress levels, inability to cope with stress, stress from anxiety Anxiety, depression, psychological trauma |
Other risks | 517 | Hypothermia Decline in physical activity | Hypothermia, frostbite Reduced participation in sports, decreased physical performance, increased lifestyle diseases (such as obesity, diabetes and hypertension), difficulty maintaining winter sports due to lack of snow |