Enhancing sport engagement through perceived athlete-coach fit: The mediating role of athlete satisfaction

Enhancing athletes’ sport engagement is critically important, as it plays a central role in their development and performance. Drawing on the Person-Environment Fit theory, this study investigates how athlete-coach fit affects sport engagement among elite athletes, with athlete satisfaction serving as a mediating mechanism. To investigate this relationship, 180 elite athletes (female, 74; 41%) registered with the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee were recruited. Data were analyzed using Hayes’ PROCESS macro Model 4 in SPSS 25.0. Results showed that athlete-coach fit positively predicted both athlete satisfaction and sport engagement, and that athlete satisfaction, in turn, predicted sport engagement. Moreover, athlete satisfaction significantly mediated the relationship between athlete-coach fit and sport engagement. These findings highlight the critical role of athlete-coach fit in fostering athlete satisfaction and enhancing sport engagement. They provide actionable insights for coaches and sport organizations on how to strengthen compatibility, support athlete well-being, and sustain long-term participation in sport.