The Impact of Coach-Athlete Relationship Quality on Young Athletes' Performance: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

This meta-analysis examined the effect of the quality of the coach-athlete relationship on young athletes' performance. Data were synthesized from 38 quantitative and relational studies published in English over the last decade and retrieved from the Web of Science (WoS) database in 2025. The analysis, performed using a random-effects model via the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) software, revealed a positive effect of the coach-athlete relationship quality on young athletes' performance. Effect sizes appear to have remained relatively stable in studies published over the last five years (2021-2025). This stability suggests that the impact of the coach-athlete relationship on performance is a fundamental phenomenon that does not change over time. No significant evidence of publication bias was found. Furthermore, several variables were identified as moderators of this relationship, including the year of publication, cultural context, participants' age group, the type of sport discipline, and the type of performance outcome. Future research should utilize longitudinal and experimental designs to clarify causality, increase studies in underrepresented cultures, and employ objective performance measures, multi-source data collection, and neuropsychological assessments to explore the effects of digital technologies and remote coaching.