Parental education and table tennis: theoretical review and practice guidelines

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the parental educational practices necessary for proper development of sport career of young players and clarify the role of parents in table tennis. The parental educational practices were analyzed and their link with the practice of table tennis. The theoretical analysis of the scientific literature showed that the children of democratic parents have the best psychological adjustment to practice table tennis, children of permissive parents showed poor psychological adjustment but good motivation and more hours of practice, and players who are children of authoritarian parents have the worst psychological adjustment for playing table tennis. Finally, parents should express support, they should never be a factor of pressure and initially they must not take out the sport context of an educational activity, of enjoyment and personal development to social, physical and psychological level.