Unlocking athlete potential: The evolution of coaching strategies through artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming sports coaching, offering new tools to enhance athlete performance and training methods. However, the balance between leveraging AI’s capabilities and maintaining the human touch in coaching remains a critical challenge. This study investigates how AI can be effectively integrated into sports coaching while maintaining the essential human elements of leadership, mentorship, and personalized support. The research aims to provide a framework for combining AI technology with traditional coaching strategies to optimize performance. Using Grounded Theory (GT) methodology, the study conducted expert interviews and performed a detailed literature review to understand the interaction between AI and sports coaching. The resulting “Synergy Theory” model explains how AI can enhance training while highlighting the importance of maintaining ethical standards and human-centered coaching practices. The research reveals that AI can considerably improve performance analysis, injury prevention, and training customization. However, over-reliance on AI risks undermining the human aspects of coaching. The findings underscore the need for technological literacy among coaches and the ethical integration of AI in sports. Challenges such as data quality, resistance to technology, and privacy concerns must also be addressed. The present article is one of the first studies to comprehensively explore the ethical, practical, and technical considerations of integrating AI into sports coaching. This study also offers practical recommendations for balancing AI technology with traditional coaching methods.