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Research

My research focuses on sport for development programming serving underrepresented populations. These research interests originated from experiences growing up in Brazil. Coexisting with poverty and acute social-economic disparity motivated the interest of assisting people in need and contributing to global development. Experiences working with sports raised the interest of using sports as a tool to motivate youth to engage in healthy behaviors, especially in lower socioeconomic settings. See the sections below to learn more about my research work.

 

Here you will find the references to all my journal and book publications.

Refereed Journal Publications

Marsollier, E., Trottier, C., & Falcão, W. R. (in press). Life skill development and transfer: The
experience of elite figure skater and their coaches. Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health. doi:10.1080/2159676X.2019.1659392

Falcão, W. R. , Bloom, G. A., Caron, J. G., & Gilbert, W. D. (in press). Youth sport
student-athletes’ perceptions of humanistic coaching. International Journal of Sport Psychology.

Collet, C., Tozetto, A. V. B., Iha, T., Nascimento, J. V., Falcão, W. R. , & Milistetd, M. (in press).
Dynamic elements of sports development: Perceptions of basketball coaches. Revista de Psicología del Deporte/Journal of Sport Psychology.

Lepage, P., Bloom, G. A., & Falcão, W. R. (2020). Development and acquisition of knowledge of
youth parasport coaches. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 37, 72-89. doi:10.1123/apaq.2019-0017

Douglas, S., Falcão, W. R. , & Bloom, G. A. (2018). Career development and learning pathways
of Paralympic coaches with a disability. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 35, 93-110. doi:10.1123/apaq.2017-0010

Falcão, W. R. , Bloom, G. A., & Bennie, A. (2017). Coaches’ experiences learning and applying
the content of a humanistic coaching workshop in youth sport settings. International Sport Coaching Journal, 4, 279-290. doi:10.1123/iscj.2017-0027

Bennie, A., Apoifis, N., Caron, J. G., Falcão, W. R. , Bengoechea, E. G., Koh, K. T., MacMillan, F.,
& George, E. (2017). A guide to conducting systematic reviews of coaching science research. International Sport Coaching Journal, 4, 191-205. doi:10.1123/iscj.2017-0025

Falcão, W. R. , Bloom, G. A., & Loughead, T. M. (2015). Coaches’ perceptions of building
cohesion in Paralympic sports. Adapted Physical Activity Quarterly, 32, 206-222. doi:10.1123/APAQ.2014-0122

Caron, J. G., Bloom, G. A., Falcão, W. R. , & Sweet, S. N. (2015). An examination of concussion
education programmes: A scoping review methodology. Injury Prevention, 21,301-308. doi:10.1136/injuryprev-2014-041479

Resende, R., Sarmento, H., Falcão, W. R. , Mesquita, I., & Fernández, J. (2014). Coach
Education in Volleyball: A study in five countries. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 14, 475-484. doi:10.7752/jpes.2014.04072

Sullivan, P. J., Whitaker-Campbell, T., Bloom, G. A., & Falcão, W. R. (2014). A confirmatory factor
analysis of the Coach Behavior Scale for Sport (CBS-S).Journal of Sport Behavior, 37, 190-202.

Fachina, R. J. F. G., Silva, A. C., Falcão, W. R. , Montagner, P. C., Borin, J. P., Minozzo, F. C.,
Falcão, D. M., Vancini, R. L., Poston, B., & Lira, C. A. B. (2013). The influence of whole-body vibration on creatine kinase activity and jumping performance in basketball players. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 84, 503-511. doi:10.1080/02701367.2013.843399

Falcão, W. R. , Bloom, G. A., & Gilbert, W. D. (2012). Coaches’ perceptions of a coach training
designed to promote youth developmental outcomes. Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, 24, 429-444. doi:10.1080/10413200.2012.692452

Banack, H. R., Bloom, G. A., & Falcão, W. R. (2012). Promoting long term athlete development in
Cross Country Skiing through competency-based coach education: A qualitative study. International Journal of Sport Science & Coaching, 7, 301-316. doi:10.1260/1747-9541.7.2.301

Refereed Book Chapters

Bloom G. A., Dohme, L.-C., & Falcão, W. R. (in press). Coaching youth athletes. In R. Resende &
A. R. Gomes (Eds.), Coaching for human development and performance in sports. Lausanne, CH: Springer.

Fraser-Thomas, J. L., Falcão, W. R. , & Wolman, L. (2016). Understanding take-up, drop-out and
drop-off in youth sport. In K. Green & A. Smith (Eds.), The Routledge handbook of youth sport (pp. 227-242). New York: Routledge.

Falcão, W. R. , Bennie, A., & Bloom, G. A. (2015). Desporto de alto rendimento: Formação e
competência do treinador [High performance sports: Coach training and knowledge]. In R. Resende, A. Albuquerque, & A. R. Gomes (Eds.), Formação e saberes em desporto, educação física e lazer (pp. 41-85). Lisboa: Visão & Contextos.

Bloom, G. A., Falcão, W. R. , & Caron, J. G. (2014). Coaching high performance athletes:
Implications for coach training. In A. R. Gomes, R. Resende, & A. Albuquerque (Eds.), Positive human functioning from a multidimensional perspective: Volume 3 (pp. 107-132). New York: Nova Science.

Published Abstracts

Falcão, W. R., & Bloom, G. A. (2018). Youth athletes’ perceptions of humanistic coaching. Journal
of Exercise, Movement, and Sport, 50, 114. [Abstract]. Poster presentation at the meeting of the Canadian Society for Psychomotor Learning and Sport Psychology (SCAPPS), Toronto, ON, Canada.

Bloom, G. A., Lepage, P., & Falcão, W. R. (2018). Social and environmental factors affecting the
learning and acquisition of knowledge among youth disability sport coaches. Journal of Exercise, Movement, and Sport, 50, 101. [Abstract]. Poster presentation at the meeting of the Canadian Society for Psychomotor Learning and Sport Psychology (SCAPPS), Toronto, ON, Canada.

Falcão, W. R. , & Bloom, G. A. (2016). The influence of humanistic coaching on youth
development through sport. Journal of Exercise, Movement, and Sport, 48, 84. [Abstract]. Oral presentation at the meeting of the Canadian Society for Psychomotor Learning and Sport Psychology (SCAPPS), Waterloo, ON, Canada.

Falcão, W. R. , Bloom, G. A., & Bennie, A. (2016). Youth sport coaches’ perceptions of a
humanistic coaching approach. Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 38, S185. [Abstract]. Poster presented at the meeting of the North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity (NASPSPA), Montreal, QC, Canada.

 

Here you will find references to all symposia, oral presentations, and guest talks given at conferences and other meetings.

Symposia

Falcão, W. R., Bloom, G. A., & Gilbert, W. D. (2011, March). Promoting the United Nations
Millennium Development Goals through Youth Sport. In G. DaMatta (Chair). International Initiatives of Youth Sports, Social Development, and Expertise Development. Symposium conducted at the meeting of the Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD), San Diego, CA, USA.

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Falcão, W. R., Bloom, G. A., & Gilbert, W. D. (2010, October). Using Positive Youth
Development through sport to promote the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. In T. Forneris (Chair). PYD in sport: Research findings and policy implications. Symposium conducted at the meeting of the Canadian Society for Psychomotor Learning and Sport Psychology (SCAPPS), Ottawa, ON, Canada.

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Oral Presentations

Bardocz-Bencsik, M., Gadais, T., Falcão, W. R., & Dóczi, T. (2018, May). Training life skills through
basketball: The case of the P3P organisation. Oral session presented at the Sport and Innovation Conference, Budapest, Hungary.

 

Falcão, W. R. & Bloom, G. A. (2016, March). A critical review of humanistic coaching. Oral session
presented at the meeting of the Eastern Canadian Sport & Exercise Psychology (ECSEPS), Hamilton, ON, Canada.

 

Falcão, W. R. & Bloom, G. A. (2014, March). The value and application of humanistic coaching in
youth sport. Oral session presented at the meeting of the Eastern Canadian Sport & Exercise Psychology Symposium (ECSEPS), Toronto, ON, Canada.

 

Falcão, W. R., Bloom, G. A., Johnston, S., & Loughead, T. (2012, March). Perspectives of
Paralympic coaches on building team cohesion. Oral session presented at the meeting of the Eastern Canadian Sport & Exercise Psychology Symposium (ECSEPS), London, ON, Canada.

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Falcão, W. R., & Bloom, G. A. (2011, March). Creating intervention-based research activities
using a standardized workshop protocol. Oral session presented at the meeting of the Eastern Canadian Sport & Exercise Psychology Symposium (ECSEPS), Waterloo, ON, Canada.

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Falcão, W. R., Bloom, G. A., & Gilbert, W. D. (2010, March). The role of the youth sport coach in
helping to address the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. Oral session presented at the meeting of the Eastern Canadian Sport & Exercise Psychology Symposium (ECSEPS), Montreal, QC, Canada.

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Falcão, W. R., & Bloom, G. A. (2009, March). Supervised internship with the McGill University
men’s soccer team. Oral session presented at the meeting of the Eastern Canadian Sport & Exercise Psychology Symposium (ECSEPS), Toronto, ON, Canada.

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Falcão, W. R., & Bloom, G. A. (2008, March). Youth coaching interventions to achieve the UN
MDGs through sport and physical activity: A proposed study. Oral session presented at the meeting of the Eastern Canadian Sport & Exercise Psychology Symposium (ECSEPS), Sudbury, ON, Canada.

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Falcão, W. R., & Pedroza, R. (2007, April). Sharing an experience: The role of the school
psychologist in the physical education context. Oral session presented at the meeting of the National Conference for School and Educational Psychology [Congresso Nacional de Psicologia Escolar e Educacional], São João Del Rei, MG, Brazil.

 

Falcão, W. R., Barbosa, L., & Günther, H. (2004, October). Concept and location of downtown in
Brasilia according to the citizen of the Federal District. Oral session presented at the annual meeting of the Brazilian Psychology Society [Reunião Anual da Sociedade Brasileira de Psicologia], Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.

 

Poster Presentations

Bianco, T., Falcão, W. R., Boisvert, M. (2019, October). Coach attitudes and intentions to use
sport psychology for their own benefit. Poster presented at the meeting of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP), Portland, OH, USA.

 

Lepage, P., Bloom, G. A., & Falcão, W. R. (2018, October). Acquisition of knowledge among youth
disability sport coaches. Poster presented at the meeting of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP), Toronto, ON, Canada.

 

Douglas, S., Bloom, G. A., & Falcão, W. R. (2015, October). Career development and learning
pathways of Paralympic head coaches with a disability. Poster presented at the VISTA Conference, Girona, Spain.

 

Falcão, W. R., Bloom, G. A., & Loughead, T. (2015, June). Coaching strategies that satisfy the
psychological needs of elite athletes with a disability. Poster presented at the meeting of the Association for National Coaching Conference (NCC), Morgantown, WV, USA.

 

Falcão, W. R., Bloom, G. A., & Loughead, T. (2014, October). Strategies used by coaches to build
cohesion in Paralympic teams. Poster presented at the meeting of the Association for Applied Sport Psychology (AASP), Las Vegas, NV, USA.

 

Guest Speaker

Vil, F. & Falcão, W. R. (2015, April). Promoting success on the court and in life. Oral session
presented at the Centennial Academy, Montreal, QC, Canada.

 

Vil, F., Falcão, W. R., & Bloom, G. A. (2014, March). Coach-educators in all schools, why not?
[Des entraîneurs-éducateurs dans toutes les écoles, pourquoi pas?] . Seminar presented during the Inter-University Seminar of Social Work [Colloque Interuniversitaire de Travail Social] at McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.

 

Falcão, W. R. (2013, July). Sport psychology: From theory to practice. Seminar presented during
the Inter-American Congress of Psychology at Brasília University Centre (UniCEUB), Brazil.

 

Falcão, W. R. (2011, January). Youth sport coaches’ perceptions of a positive youth development
coach intervention program. Oral session presented at the Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education at McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.

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Falcão, W. R. (2010, April). Research methods and applications to sport psychology. Guest
speaker at the Social Psychology Laboratory at University of Brasília, Brazil.

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Here you will find the title and abstract of the thesis submitted as a requirement for my Master’s degree. A downloadable file is available below.

Title

A Positive Youth Development Coach Education Program and the United Nations Millennium Development Goals

Abstract

In 2000, the United Nations (UN) hosted a world summit to set their major goals and objectives. This summit produced the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), a set of eight goals that addressed key social problems in the world. The UN has recognized the potential of sport and physical activity as a way to achieve the UN MDGs. Empirical evidence has shown that sport is a powerful tool that can promote life skills in youth athletes and that the coach plays a key role in youths’ personal and social development in sport. To date, research has not examined the benefits of sport under the framework of the UN goals, nor has research created activities to achieve these goals. Thus, the purpose of the study was to assess coaches’ thoughts and perceptions of activities that were created to address three UN MDGs (health, education, and empowering women). Six youth soccer and basketball coaches participated in this study. Coaches were required to participate in a workshop designed to teach them the UN MDGs and the principles of positive youth development (PYD). During the workshop four activities were created in a collaborative effort between the participating youth coaches and the McGill research team. These activities were delivered by the coaches to their athletes throughout the season. Data was collected using four qualitative methods: pre and post-intervention forms, interviews, research assistant field notes, and a reflective journal kept by the research coordinator. Data revealed that coaches perceived the project as successful and the activities were seen as beneficial for athletes and for the team. In particular, the coaches believed the activities improved the athletes’ awareness of the importance of health, education, and empowering women. The coaches also believed the activities increased team cohesion and communication skills among their players, and between coaches and players. Finally, observations suggested increased indicators of PYD among youth players. In sum, the results of the present study demonstrated that coaches can be educated in the principles of PYD and the UN goals to develop activities that fostered life skills development of their athletes through sport.

 

Falcão, W. R., & Bloom, G. A. (2010). A positive youth development coach education program
and the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (Unpublished master’s thesis). McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.

Download Thesis

Here you will find the title and abstract of the dissertation submitted as a requirement for my Doctoral degree.

Title

Development, Delivery, and Assessment of a Humanistic Coaching Workshop and its Impact on Youth Development

Summary

Humanistic coaching is a philosophy that focuses on promoting athletes’ personal growth and development by empowering athletes and fostering positive interpersonal relationships between coaches and athletes (Lombardo, 1987; Lyle, 2002). Despite the efforts to describe and define humanistic coaching, few studies have empirically investigated how coaches apply its principles in sport, how they impact youth athletes, and the perceptions of the individuals involved. Thus, the purpose of this dissertation was to develop and deliver a humanistic coaching workshop while examining coaches’ learning experiences, as well as investigating the impact of humanistic coaching on youth development through sport. This was accomplished through three original manuscripts, each addressing a different aspect of the larger purpose. The first study involved developing and delivering a humanistic coaching workshop, as well as investigating coaches’ perceptions of this workshop and their experiences using humanistic coaching. Results revealed coaches perceived the workshop to be effective in teaching the humanistic principles and how to apply them in youth sport settings. In addition, the coaches reported positive outcomes in their athletes related to autonomy, communication, motivation, and willingness to help teammates. While their perceptions of athlete development provided valuable insight to how athletes responded to this coaching philosophy, it did not assess the athletes’ outcomes. As such, the second study assessed the impact of a humanistic coaching workshop on the development of youth athletes of trained or untrained coaches. Results showed that athletes of trained coaches showed stronger connections to their coaches. The findings also suggested that participants increased their antisocial behaviours, yet this increase was lower for athletes of trained coaches. These findings suggest that teaching humanistic coaching principles may help foster developmental outcomes in youth sport participants. Building on these results, the next study qualitatively examined youth athletes’ perceptions of humanistic coaching and how it impacted their development. This is particularly important considering humanistic coaching is a philosophy that advocates for the inclusion of athletes as active agents in the training process. Thus, the third study investigated the experiences of student-athletes of coaches who had been trained to use humanistic principles to foster personal development. Results showed athletes described their coaches as being engaged in their lives beyond sport, helping with personal issues and getting involved in their education. Athletes described having a trusting relationship with their coaches, and reported learning both sport and life skills from them. In sum, this dissertation contributes to our understanding of humanistic coaching, how it can be applied to sport, and its impact on youth development. Results indicated that teaching coaches the principles and strategies of humanistic coaching was an effective way of improving their ability to apply these principles, which in turn positively impacted youth athletes’ development through sport. This dissertation provides recommendations for future research that can further improve best practices for youth sport coaches.

 

Falcão, W. R., & Bloom, G. A. (2010). Development, delivery, and assessment of a humanistic
coaching workshop and its impact on youth development (Unpublished doctoral dissertation). McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.