Athlete Migration, Training Adaptation, and Cross-Cultural Performance Processes
Chapter from the book:
Bayrakdaroğlu,
Y.
&
Uluç,
E.
A.
(eds.)
2026.
The Global Transformation of Sport: Training, Performance, and Sociocultural Processes.
Synopsis
With globalization, international mobility in sports environments has accelerated, and athlete migration has become one of the fundamental dynamics of modern performance sports. Athletes pursuing their careers in different countries necessitates the evaluation of performance development in conjunction with training, psychological adaptation, and social environmental conditions.
The transfer of athletes to different countries and sports systems makes the needs for physiological adaptation, psychological resilience, and social integration more visible in performance development processes. The migration process requires athletes to adapt to new training cultures, competitive conditions, and performance expectations, while also necessitating the replanning of training and recovery processes. In addition, the level of adaptation to language, communication, and team culture directly affects athletes' motivation, sense of belonging, and performance confidence. Supporting the adaptation process with scientific training planning and social support mechanisms contributes to maintaining performance continuity.
In conclusion, regarding athlete migration, it can be stated that athletes' training adaptation and cross-cultural performance processes are a dynamic structure requiring the planning of both physiological and psychosocial dimensions of performance development.
