Studying Innovation as the Factor in Professional Self-Development of Specialists in Physical Education and Sport

Lifetime employment of specialists in physical education and sport is possible only under the conditions of enhancing their professional self-development, whose essential component is innovative activity. The article aims to identify the current level of innovation of professional activities of specialists in physical education and sport. It is also essential to determine the main characteristics of the innovation indicator during professional self-development of specialists in physical education and sport. The selected psychodiagnostic methods have made it possible to diagnose specialists in physical education and sport and reveal the main characteristics of the innovation indicator, namely, average, quadratic deviation, asymmetry and excess. The paper also used following methodologies: self-efficacy diagnosis, the level of subjective control and the style of response to changes. The research sample comprised of specialists in physical education and sport of different age groups, with different experience and qualification degree. In total, the study involved 209 participants. The total dispersion of the selected factors for the research groups with a prevailing conservative style is approximately 61%. The development of capability for innovation in specialists in physical education and sport involves enhancing their psychological qualities such as particular sensitivity to professional changes, readiness to take risks and be responsible for possible failures, independent judgment while taking professional decisions, focus on personal and professional self-development, willingness to search for new professional ideas.