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Nijenhuis SB, Koopmann T, Mulder J, Elferink-Gemser MT, Faber IR. Multidimensional and Longitudinal Approaches in Talent Identification and Development in Racket Sports: A Systematic Review. SPORTS MEDICINE - OPEN 2024; 10:4. [PMID: 38185790 PMCID: PMC10772031 DOI: 10.1186/s40798-023-00669-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Better methods to support talent identification and development processes may contribute to more effective and efficient athlete development programs in racket sports. Both researchers and practitioners recommend multidimensional and longitudinal approaches to better understand the nature of talent (development). However, the added value of these 'innovative' approaches has not yet been clarified for racket sports. This systematic review intends to gain further insight into the outcomes of multidimensional and longitudinal approaches for talent identification and development in racket sports and to provide directions for future talent research. METHODS Electronic searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science (January 2000-August 2022). Search terms covered the areas of racket sports and talent in sports. Studies using multidimensional and/or longitudinal talent approaches were included and analyzed regarding the methodology, included performance characteristics (i.e., anthropometrical, physiological, technical, tactical, psychological), and study findings. RESULTS A total of thirty-two studies were included using multidimensional (n = 15), unidimensional longitudinal (n = 3) or multidimensional longitudinal designs (n = 14). Most research covered physiological characteristics (n = 28), while fewer articles investigated anthropometrics (n = 21) and technical characteristics (n = 16). Only limited research investigated psychological (n = 4) and tactical characteristics (n = 1). Almost all studies measured physiological characteristics in combination with other characteristics. There was moderate to strong evidence that physiological and technical characteristics have value for athlete development programs in racket sports. Positive but limited evidence was found for psychological and tactical characteristics. Anthropometrical assessments were generally used as controlling variables for maturation. Study designs varied, and many studies used unidimensional statistical models and analyses within multidimensional study designs and datasets. CONCLUSIONS This review provides an overview of talent research using multidimensional and/or longitudinal approaches within racket sports and gives guidance on what characteristics to include in decision-making and monitoring processes. However, it remains difficult to draw conclusions about the added values of these approaches due to their variety in methodology. Future talent research should include more consistent study designs and conduct multidimensional and longitudinal studies using multivariate statistical approaches that benefit from the data's multidimensionality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sebastiaan B Nijenhuis
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Till Koopmann
- Institute of Sport Science, Carl Von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Ammerländer Heerstraße 114-118, 26129, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Jesper Mulder
- Department of Human Movement Sciences, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Leiden University Medical Center/Health, Campus The Hague, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | | | - Irene R Faber
- Institute of Sport Science, Carl Von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Ammerländer Heerstraße 114-118, 26129, Oldenburg, Germany.
- Research Centre Human Movement and Education, Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, Zwolle, The Netherlands.
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Zhao K, Siener M, Zhao Y, Hohmann A. Physical fitness and motor competence performance characteristics of Chinese elite youth athletes from four track and field throwing disciplines-a cross-sectional study. Front Physiol 2023; 14:1267804. [PMID: 38162829 PMCID: PMC10754956 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1267804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose: For systematic athletic training and targeted talent development, it is essential to know the physical fitness and motor competencies of top athletes in detail. However, it can be difficult to identify differences in performance requirements and thus to provide adequate support, especially for sports that at first glance appear to have similar demands-such as track and field throwing disciplines. Therefore, the aim of the study was to examine the physical fitness and motor competence of top athletes from different throwing disciplines and to check whether the athletes' performance parameters match the specific requirements of the respective sport. Methods: The study involved 289 male youth athletes (aged 14-18 years) across four distinct throwing disciplines: shot put (n = 101), hammer throw (n = 16), discus throw (n = 63), and javelin throw (n = 109). The performance evaluation comprised three anthropometric measurements and twelve motor performance prerequisites applicable to the throwing disciplines. Discriminant analysis and neural networks (Multilayer Perceptron) were implemented to determine the possibility of distinguishing among athletes from the four sports. Results: The study's findings indicate that in male throwing athletes, disparities in general physical fitness and motor proficiency assessments discern the majority of talented young athletes based on their specific sport (discriminant analysis: 68.2%; multilayer perceptron analysis: 72.2%). This remains applicable irrespective of the classification method employed. Discus throwers possessed a height advantage, while shot putters and hammer throwers exhibited superior arm strength. Javelin throwers displayed better explosive strength and sprinting speed. Except for the hammer throwers, all events demonstrated a high level of explosive power in the medicine ball forward or backward throw test, which was especially crucial for shot put and discus athletes. Conclusion: The significance of physical fitness and motor competence tests in identifying and transferring talented athletes in track and field throwing disciplines has been affirmed. Using linear and non-linear classification methods, most athletes could be assigned to their correct sport. However, this also shows that slightly different training and talent identification is required for each of these sports. Furthermore, non-linear analysis methods can provide useful support for the development processes in junior competitive sports.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kewei Zhao
- High Performance Research Center, China Institute of Sport Science, Beijing, China
| | - Maximilian Siener
- BaySpo—Bayreuth Center of Sport Science, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
- Institute of Professional Sport Education and Sport Qualifications, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Yifan Zhao
- High Performance Research Center, China Institute of Sport Science, Beijing, China
| | - Andreas Hohmann
- BaySpo—Bayreuth Center of Sport Science, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
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Faber IR, Koopmann T, Schipper-van Veldhoven N, Twisk J, Pion J. Can perceptuo-motor skills outcomes predict future competition participation/drop-out and competition performance in youth table tennis players? A 9-year follow-up study. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0281731. [PMID: 36763603 PMCID: PMC9916551 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0281731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/30/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Tools that provide a fair estimate of young table tennis players' potential and their chances to succeed will support making decisions whether to commit to an extensive development program and the accompanying lifestyle. Consequently, this study included two research questions (RQ) to evaluate the capability of the Dutch perceptuo-motor skills assessment to predict competition participation/drop-out (RQ1) and competition performance (RQ2) in young table tennis players (n = 39; 7-11 years) using a tracking period of 9 years. The perceptuo-motor skills assessment consists of eight tests assessing gross motor function (i.e., sprint, agility, vertical jump) and ball control (i.e., speed while dribbling, aiming at target, ball skills, throwing a ball and eye-hand coordination). A Cox regression analysis demonstrated that a higher level of ball control was associated with a lower risk to drop-out from table tennis competition. The eye-hand coordination test appeared to be most suitable since it was the only test included in the multivariable Cox regression model (HR = .908; p = .001) (RQ1). Similarly, a multilevel regression analysis showed that a higher level of ball control was associated with a higher future competition performance. The eye-hand coordination and aiming at target tests were included in the multivariable multilevel model (p < 0.05; R2 = 36.4%) (RQ2). This evaluation demonstrates promising prospects for the perceptuo-motor skills assessment to be included in a talent development programme. Future studies are needed to obtain valid thresholds scores and clarify the predictive value in a larger sample of youth competition players.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene R. Faber
- Institute of Sport Science, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
- Research Centre Human Movement and Education, Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, Zwolle, The Netherlands
- * E-mail:
| | - Till Koopmann
- Institute of Sport Science, Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Nicolette Schipper-van Veldhoven
- Research Centre Human Movement and Education, Windesheim University of Applied Sciences, Zwolle, The Netherlands
- Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Jos Twisk
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Johan Pion
- Institute for Studies in Sports and Exercise, HAN University of Applied Sciences, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Department of Movement and Sports Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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Pradas F, Toro-Román V, de la Torre A, Moreno-Azze A, Gutiérrez-Betancur JF, Ortega-Zayas MÁ. Analysis of Specific Physical Fitness in High-Level Table Tennis Players-Sex Differences. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19095119. [PMID: 35564512 PMCID: PMC9105729 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Table tennis performance depends on multiple factors such as technique, tactics and fitness. Several studies have focused on investigating different technical-tactical variables. However, research analysing the specific physical qualities of this sport is scarce, particularly in the female sex. The aim of the present study was to assess the physical fitness variables associated with individual performance in elite table tennis players according to sex. Forty-eight elite players divided into males (n = 24; 25.38 ± 4.01 years) and females (n = 24; 22.33 ± 3.83 years) participated in the study. To determine physical fitness, participants performed vertical jump, hand grip strength, ergospirometry and lateral displacement tests (reaction time, displacement time and lateral acceleration). Male players showed higher values in vertical jump, hand grip strength and maximum oxygen consumption (p < 0.001). Likewise, male players moved laterally faster (p < 0.001). On the other hand, female players had a better reaction time towards the dominant side (p < 0.01). Elite male table tennis players showed better physical fitness compared to female players. Due to the scarcity of data on elite table tennis players, these results can serve as reference values for different table tennis practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Pradas
- ENFYRED Research Group, Faculty of Health and Sports Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 22001 Huesca, Spain; (F.P.); (A.d.l.T.); (A.M.-A.); (M.Á.O.-Z.)
| | - Víctor Toro-Román
- School of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +34-927-257-460 (ext. 57833)
| | - Ana de la Torre
- ENFYRED Research Group, Faculty of Health and Sports Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 22001 Huesca, Spain; (F.P.); (A.d.l.T.); (A.M.-A.); (M.Á.O.-Z.)
| | - Alejandro Moreno-Azze
- ENFYRED Research Group, Faculty of Health and Sports Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 22001 Huesca, Spain; (F.P.); (A.d.l.T.); (A.M.-A.); (M.Á.O.-Z.)
| | | | - Miguel Ángel Ortega-Zayas
- ENFYRED Research Group, Faculty of Health and Sports Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 22001 Huesca, Spain; (F.P.); (A.d.l.T.); (A.M.-A.); (M.Á.O.-Z.)
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Prognostic Validity of Statistical Prediction Methods Used for Talent Identification in Youth Tennis Players Based on Motor Abilities. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/app11157051] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
(1) Background: The search for talented young athletes is an important element of top-class sport. While performance profiles and suitable test tasks for talent identification have already been extensively investigated, there are few studies on statistical prediction methods for talent identification. Therefore, this long-term study examined the prognostic validity of four talent prediction methods. (2) Methods: Tennis players (N = 174; n♀ = 62 and n♂ = 112) at the age of eight years (U9) were examined using five physical fitness tests and four motor competence tests. Based on the test results, four predictions regarding the individual future performance were made for each participant using a linear recommendation score, a logistic regression, a discriminant analysis, and a neural network. These forecasts were then compared with the athletes’ achieved performance success at least four years later (U13‒U18). (3) Results: All four prediction methods showed a medium-to-high prognostic validity with respect to their forecasts. Their values of relative improvement over chance ranged from 0.447 (logistic regression) to 0.654 (tennis recommendation score). (4) Conclusions: However, the best results are only obtained by combining the non-linear method (neural network) with one of the linear methods. Nevertheless, 18.75% of later high-performance tennis players could not be predicted using any of the methods.
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Hohmann A, Siener M. Talent Identification in Youth Soccer: Prognosis of U17 Soccer Performance on the Basis of General Athleticism and Talent Promotion Interventions in Second-Grade Children. Front Sports Act Living 2021; 3:625645. [PMID: 34151260 PMCID: PMC8212928 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2021.625645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Several talent identification programs in elementary school have implemented motor diagnostics to introduce children to groups of sports, like game sports, or even to particular sports like soccer. However, as in most other sports, in youth soccer, the predictive value of such early testing is still unclear. This prospective study evaluated the midterm prognostic validity of generic motor performance tests. The sample consisted of male second-grade children, which had received a recommendation to participate in soccer. The talent screening campaign was a basic check comprising two anthropometric parameters, five physical fitness, and three motor competence diagnostics of the German Motor Test 6-18. The test data were collected from the participating elementary school classes of the years 2010 to 2014. The soccer competition performance of those children having completed the age of at least 15 years (n = 502) up to the end of the season 2019/2020 (2020, September 30) was recorded. This group of U17 players was then assigned individually to five different competition levels. The prognostic validity of the physical and physiological tests was determined using ANOVAs, odds ratios, and a regression path analysis. All diagnostic methods exhibited medium-to-high prognostic validity over the 8 year time span from the talent screening to the later soccer competitions in the adolescent age groups. For later success in soccer on the province level, the 6-min run (OR = 4.28), dynamic balance (OR = 4.04), and 20-m sprint (OR = 2.46), as well as the participation in the training center of the German Soccer Federation (OR = 5.67) and the diversity of club sport activities (OR = 3.56), were of particular importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Hohmann
- Department of Training and Movement Science, Institute of Sport Science, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
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Hohmann A, Yuan X, Schmitt M, Zhang H, Pietzonka M, Siener M. Physical Fitness and Motor Competence in Chinese and German Elementary School Children in Relation to Different Physical Activity Settings. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 8:391. [PMID: 34068840 PMCID: PMC8153568 DOI: 10.3390/children8050391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
(1) Background: Children with greater physical activity (PA) may show a higher physical fitness (PF) and motor competence (MC) compared to peers with less PA. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), PF, and MC in 8- to 9-year old children in Germany and China. MVPA was differentiated into five PA settings: family sport, club training, school sport, leisure sport, and outside play. (2) Methods: This longitudinal study comprised N = 577 children (n = 311 girls, n = 266 boys) who were studied over a one-year period. Each child's PF and MC was determined using sports motor tests. The children's PAs were measured using a questionnaire. (3) Results: The children's PA was positively associated with PF and MC. The MVPA-settings: family sport, leisure sport, outside play, school, and club sport, explained between 18 and 23 percent of the variance in selected PF and MC characteristics in a multivariate linear regression analysis. (4) Conclusions: An increase in the children's MVPA might be an appropriate aim in the school sport in Germany as well as in the club sport system in China. Furthermore, family sport should be enhanced in Germany and outside play activities in China, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Hohmann
- Institute of Sport Science, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany; (A.H.); (X.Y.); (M.P.)
| | - Xinchi Yuan
- Institute of Sport Science, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany; (A.H.); (X.Y.); (M.P.)
| | - Manfred Schmitt
- Department of Psychology, University of Koblenz-Landau, Fortstraße 7, 76829 Landau in der Pfalz, Germany;
| | - Hui Zhang
- Department of Physical Education and Training, Shanghai University of Sport, 650 Qingyuan Ring Rd, Yangpu District, Shanghai 200438, China;
- Department of Training Science, Zhejiang University, 866 Yuhangtang Rd, Xihu, Hangzhou 310028, China
| | - Micha Pietzonka
- Institute of Sport Science, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany; (A.H.); (X.Y.); (M.P.)
| | - Maximilian Siener
- Institute of Sport Science, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstraße 30, 95447 Bayreuth, Germany; (A.H.); (X.Y.); (M.P.)
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