This paper critically explores the practical realities of multi-disciplinary teams (MDTs) in high-performance sport. While MDTs are widely promoted as a gold standard for supporting elite athletes, the article highlights that their success hinges on more than simply assembling specialists from different fields.
Key barriers-including power imbalances, communication challenges, and ambiguous roles-can undermine collaboration and limit positive outcomes. The paper emphasizes the need for intentional leadership, mutual trust, and a shared vision to maximize the benefits of MDTs. For professional sports practice, this means investing in team culture and clear operational structures, ensuring that multidisciplinary collaboration genuinely enhances athlete welfare, injury management, and performance.
Key takehomes:
- True MDT effectiveness depends on trust, clear roles, and strong leadership-not just expertise diversity.
- Unresolved power dynamics and communication issues can restrict the impact of MDTs in elite sport.
- Professional teams should prioritize culture and structure to fully leverage multidisciplinary collaboration.
King, R., Yiannaki, C., Kiely, J., Rhodes, D., & Alexander, J. (2024). Multi-disciplinary Teams in High Performance Sport, The What and The How: A Utopian View or a Darker Reality. Journal of Expertise, 7(4), 149-174. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/388190439
John Kiely is an Associate Professor in the Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences and the Sport and Human Performance Research Centre at the University of Limerick. Follow on X: @simplysportssci. Research Profile: ResearchGate
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