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Thompson F, Rongen F, Cowburn I, Till K. A Longitudinal Mixed Methods Case Study Investigation of the Academic, Athletic, Psychosocial and Psychological Impacts of Being a Sport School Student Athlete. Sports Med 2024; 54:2423-2451. [PMID: 38635007 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-024-02021-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sport schools are popular environments for simultaneously delivering education and sport to young people. Previous research suggests sport school involvement to have impact (i.e. the positive/negative, intended/unintended and long/short-term outcomes, results and effects) on student athlete's holistic (i.e. academic, athletic, psychosocial and psychological) development. However, previous research is limited by (1) cross-sectional methods, (2) limited multidimensional assessments, (3) lack of consideration for athlete characteristics (e.g. sex) and (4) failure to evaluate how sport school features affect student-athlete impacts. OBJECTIVES The study, using a mixed methods case study approach, aims to (1) longitudinally evaluate the impact of sport school involvement on the holistic development of student athletes, (2) evaluate the impact on holistic development by student-athlete characteristics and (3) explore the features and processes of the sport-school programme that drive/facilitate holistic impacts. METHODS A longitudinal mixed methods design was employed across one full academic school year (33 weeks). Six data-collection methods (i.e. online questionnaire, physical fitness testing battery, academic assessment grades, log diaries, field notes/observation and timeline diagram/illustration) were used to assess the academic, athletic, psychosocial and psychological impacts for 72 student athletes from one sport school in the United Kingdom (UK). RESULTS Student athletes developed positive long-term holistic overall impacts (i.e. academically, athletically and personally), including maintaining stable and relatively high levels of sport confidence, academic motivation, general recovery, life skills, resilience and friends, family and free time scores. Despite positive impacts, juggling academic and sport workload posed challenges for student athletes, having the potential to lead to negative holistic impacts (e.g. fatigue, stress and injury). Positive and negative impacts were linked to many potential features and processes of the sport school (e.g. academic and athletic support services versus insufficient training load build-up, communication, coordination, flexibility and planning). Furthermore, when considering student-athlete characteristics, females had lower sport confidence, higher general stress and body image concerns and less general recovery than males and student athletes who played sport outside the school had lower general recovery. CONCLUSIONS This mixed method, longitudinal study demonstrated sport school involvement resulted in many positive academic (e.g. good grades), athletic (e.g. fitness development), psychosocial (e.g. enhanced confidence) and psychological (e.g. improved resilience) impacts attributed to the academic and athletic support services provided. However, juggling heavy academic and athletic workloads posed challenges leading to negative impacts including fatigue, pressure, stress and injury. Furthermore, holistic impacts may be sex dependent and further support may be required for female student athletes in sport school environments. Overall, these findings demonstrate the complex nature of combining education and sport commitments and how sport schools should manage, monitor and evaluate the features of their programme to maximise the holistic impacts of sport-school student athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ffion Thompson
- Room G07, Cavendish Hall, Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Headingley Campus, Leeds, LS6 3QS, UK.
- Queen Ethelburga's College, York, UK.
| | - Fieke Rongen
- School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham, UK
| | - Ian Cowburn
- Room G07, Cavendish Hall, Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Headingley Campus, Leeds, LS6 3QS, UK
| | - Kevin Till
- Room G07, Cavendish Hall, Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Headingley Campus, Leeds, LS6 3QS, UK
- Leeds Rhinos Rugby League Club, Leeds, UK
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McBurnie AJ, Dos'Santos T, Johnson D, Leng E. Training Management of the Elite Adolescent Soccer Player throughout Maturation. Sports (Basel) 2021; 9:170. [PMID: 34941808 PMCID: PMC8708071 DOI: 10.3390/sports9120170] [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: 10/31/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Professional soccer clubs invest significantly into the development of their academy prospects with the hopes of producing elite players. Talented youngsters in elite development systems are exposed to high amounts of sports-specific practise with the aims of developing the foundational skills underpinning the capabilities needed to excel in the game. Yet large disparities in maturation status, growth-related issues, and highly-specialised sport practise predisposes these elite youth soccer players to an increased injury risk. However, practitioners may scaffold a performance monitoring and injury surveillance framework over an academy to facilitate data-informed training decisions that may not only mitigate this inherent injury risk, but also enhance athletic performance. Constant communication between members of the multi-disciplinary team enables context to build around an individual's training status and risk profile, and ensures that a progressive, varied, and bespoke training programme is provided at all stages of development to maximise athletic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alistair J McBurnie
- Football Medicine & Sports Science, Manchester United F.C., AON Training Complex, Manchester M31 4BH, UK
- Department of Sport Science, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham NG1 4FQ, UK
| | - Thomas Dos'Santos
- Musculoskeletal Science and Sports Medicine Research Centre, Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M15 6BH, UK
- Manchester Institute of Sport, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester M1 7EL, UK
| | - David Johnson
- Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Edward Leng
- Football Medicine & Sports Science, Manchester United F.C., AON Training Complex, Manchester M31 4BH, UK
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Jayanthi N, Schley S, Cumming SP, Myer GD, Saffel H, Hartwig T, Gabbett TJ. Developmental Training Model for the Sport Specialized Youth Athlete: A Dynamic Strategy for Individualizing Load-Response During Maturation. Sports Health 2021; 14:142-153. [PMID: 34763556 DOI: 10.1177/19417381211056088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT Most available data on athletic development training models focus on adult or professional athletes, where increasing workload capacity and performance is a primary goal. Development pathways in youth athletes generally emphasize multisport participation rather than sport specialization to optimize motor skill acquisition and to minimize injury risk. Other models emphasize the need for accumulation of sport- and skill-specific hours to develop elite-level status. Despite recommendations against sport specialization, many youth athletes still specialize and need guidance on training and competition. Medical and sport professionals also recommend progressive, gradual increases in workloads to enhance resilience to the demands of high-level competition. There is no accepted model of risk stratification and return to play for training a specialized youth athlete through periods of injury and maturation. In this review, we present individualized training models for specialized youth athletes that (1) prioritize performance for healthy, resilient youth athletes and (2) are adaptable through vulnerable maturational periods and injury. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION Nonsystematic review with critical appraisal of existing literature. STUDY DESIGN Clinical review. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level 4. RESULTS A number of factors must be considered when developing training programs for young athletes: (1) the effect of sport specialization on athlete development and injury, (2) biological maturation, (3) motor and coordination deficits in specialized youth athletes, and (4) workload progressions and response to load. CONCLUSION Load-sensitive athletes with multiple risk factors may need medical evaluation, frequent monitoring, and a program designed to restore local tissue and sport-specific capacity. Load-naive athletes, who are often skeletally immature, will likely benefit from serial monitoring and should train and compete with caution, while load-tolerant athletes may only need occasional monitoring and progress to optimum loads. STRENGTH OF RECOMMENDATION TAXONOMY (SORT) B.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neeru Jayanthi
- Departments of Orthopaedics and Family Medicine, Emory School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.,Emory Sports Medicine Center, Johns Creek, Georgia.,Emory Sport Performance and Research Center, Flowery Branch, Georgia
| | | | - Sean P Cumming
- Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Gregory D Myer
- Emory Sports Medicine Center, Johns Creek, Georgia.,Emory Sport Performance and Research Center, Flowery Branch, Georgia.,Department of Orthopaedics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia.,The Micheli Center for Sports Injury Prevention, Waltham, Massachusetts
| | - Heather Saffel
- South Bend-Notre Dame Sports Medicine Fellowship, Beacon Bone & Joint Specialists, South Bend, Indiana
| | - Tim Hartwig
- School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Strathfield Campus, Australian Catholic University, Strathfield, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tim J Gabbett
- Gabbett Performance Solutions, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.,Centre for Health Research, University of Southern Queensland, Ipswich, Queensland, Australia
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Scantlebury S, Till K, Sawczuk T, Phibbs P, Jones B. Navigating the Complex Pathway of Youth Athletic Development: Challenges and Solutions to Managing the Training Load of Youth Team Sport Athletes. Strength Cond J 2020. [DOI: 10.1519/ssc.0000000000000564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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Hartwig TB, Gabbett TJ, Naughton G, Duncan C, Harries S, Perry N. Training and match volume and injury in adolescents playing multiple contact team sports: A prospective cohort study. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2018; 29:469-475. [PMID: 30468537 DOI: 10.1111/sms.13343] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 11/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Training and competition loads have emerged as valuable injury risk factors but very few studies have explored injury outcomes in adolescent athletes. The aims of this study were to describe injuries and to explore the relationship between training and match load volumes and injury in adolescent athletes participating in multiple contact team sports. One hundred and three male youth rugby athletes aged 14-16 years from 8 rugby union teams were prospectively monitored during a season for weekly training and match volumes and injuries. The relationship between volume and injury was explored by comparing the weekly volume in the week prior to an injury vs weeks without injury. There were 83 time-loss injuries in 58 athletes (62%). Overall injury incidence was 18.5 per 1000 player-hours. Mean weekly injury prevalence was 27% (95% CI 25-30). Average weekly volume was 5.4 (2.2) hours comprising 1.4 (1) match hours and 4 (2.6) training hours. Compared with weeks without injury, weeks prior to an injury had higher match volumes (110 [57] min vs 83 [59] min, P < 0.001). Poisson regression demonstrated that match volume was a predictor of injury with an odds ratio of 1.41 (P = 0.001). The contribution of match volumes to injury risk and the relatively high injury burden in these athletes may be profound. Very high match volumes are unlikely to be in the best interests of young athletes and could be avoided with a systematic approach to load management and athlete development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy B Hartwig
- School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Tim J Gabbett
- Institute for Resilient Regions, University of Southern Queensland, Ipswich, Australia
| | - Geraldine Naughton
- School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Craig Duncan
- School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Simon Harries
- Rugby Australia Ltd, High Performance Department, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nicholas Perry
- School of Behavioural and Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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The Effect of Training Loads on Performance Measures and Injury Characteristics in Rugby League Players: A Systematic Review. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2018; 13:1259-1272. [PMID: 29252061 DOI: 10.1123/ijspp.2017-0329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To conduct a systematic review into the effect of training load (TL) on both performance measures and injury characteristics in rugby league players. METHODS Based on PRISMA guidelines, a systematic search of electronic databases was performed from the earliest record to December 2016. Five electronic databases (MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, Web of Science, and AusSportMed) were searched using keywords within the subcategories of population (rugby league players), intervention (training quantification), and outcomes (performance or injury). Original peer-reviewed published manuscripts were considered if they had a clear quantification of TL (eg, session rating of perceived exertion), clear measures of performance (tests of physiological parameters relative to rugby league players [eg, agility]), and/or injury characteristics (eg, injury incidence). RESULTS Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria. The highest TL was observed in preseason training phases. Higher TL elicited greater improvements in maximal aerobic power, vertical jump (in cm), and agility scores (in s). Higher TL was associated with higher incidence of muscular strains and joint sprains, lower-limb injuries, and overexertion and overuse injuries. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest a dose-response relationship between TL, physical performance, and injury characteristics. However, due to study and methodological limitations, the precise nature of this relationship is, as yet, inconclusive. Therefore, the development of uniform TL definition and quantification and further research is warranted.
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Phibbs PJ, Jones B, Roe G, Read DB, Darrall-Jones J, Weakley J, Rock A, Till K. Organized Chaos in Late Specialization Team Sports: Weekly Training Loads of Elite Adolescent Rugby Union Players. J Strength Cond Res 2018; 32:1316-1323. [PMID: 29683915 DOI: 10.1519/jsc.0000000000001965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Phibbs, PJ, Jones, B, Roe, G, Read, DB, Darrall-Jones, J, Weakley, J, Rock, A, and Till, K. Organized chaos in late specialization team sports: weekly training loads of elite adolescent rugby union players. J Strength Cond Res 32(5): 1316-1323, 2018-The aim of this study was to quantify the mean weekly training load (TL) of elite adolescent rugby union players participating in multiple teams and examine the differences between playing positions. Twenty elite male adolescent rugby union players (17.4 ± 0.7 years) were recruited from a regional academy and categorized by playing position: forwards (n = 10) and backs (n = 10). Global positioning system and accelerometer microtechnology was used to quantify external TL, and session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) was used to quantify internal TL during all sessions throughout a 10-week in-season period. A total of 97 complete observations (5 ± 3 weeks per participant) were analyzed, and differences between positions were assessed using Cohen's d effect sizes (ES) and magnitude-based inferences. Mean weekly sRPE was 1,217 ± 364 arbitrary units (AU) (between-subject coefficient of variation [CV] = 30%), with a total distance (TD) of 11,629 ± 3,445 m (CV = 30%), and PlayerLoad (PL) of 1,124 ± 330 AU (CV = 29%). Within-subject CV ranged between 5 and 78% for sRPE, 24 and 82% for TD, and 19 and 84% for PL. Mean TD (13,063 ± 3,933 vs. 10,195 ± 2,242 m) and PL (1,246 ± 345 vs. 1,002 ± 279 AU) were both likely greater for backs compared with forwards (moderate ES); however, differences in sRPE were unclear (small ES). Although mean internal TLs and volumes were low, external TLs were higher than previously reported during preseason and in-season periods in senior professional players. Additionally, the large between-subject and within-subject variation in weekly TL suggests that players participate in a chaotic training system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Padraic J Phibbs
- Institute for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom.,Yorkshire Carnegie Rugby Club, Headingley Carnegie Stadium, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Ben Jones
- Institute for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom.,Yorkshire Carnegie Rugby Club, Headingley Carnegie Stadium, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Gregory Roe
- Institute for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom.,Yorkshire Carnegie Rugby Club, Headingley Carnegie Stadium, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Dale B Read
- Institute for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom.,Yorkshire Carnegie Rugby Club, Headingley Carnegie Stadium, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Joshua Darrall-Jones
- Institute for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom.,Yorkshire Carnegie Rugby Club, Headingley Carnegie Stadium, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathon Weakley
- Institute for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom.,Yorkshire Carnegie Rugby Club, Headingley Carnegie Stadium, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Rock
- Bath Rugby, Farleigh House, Farleigh Hungerford, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Kevin Till
- Institute for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, United Kingdom.,Yorkshire Carnegie Rugby Club, Headingley Carnegie Stadium, Leeds, United Kingdom
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Perri T, Norton KI, Bellenger CR, Murphy AP. Training loads in typical junior-elite tennis training and competition: implications for transition periods in a high-performance pathway. INT J PERF ANAL SPOR 2018. [DOI: 10.1080/24748668.2018.1475198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Perri
- School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
- Sports Science and Sports Medicine Unit, Tennis South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Kevin Ian Norton
- School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Clint Ronald Bellenger
- School of Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia
- Division of Physiology, Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra, Australia
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Phibbs PJ, Jones B, Roe G, Read D, Darrall-Jones J, Weakley J, Rock A, Till K. The organised chaos of English adolescent rugby union: Influence of weekly match frequency on the variability of match and training loads. Eur J Sport Sci 2018; 18:341-348. [DOI: 10.1080/17461391.2017.1418026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Padraic J. Phibbs
- Institute for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK
- Yorkshire Carnegie Rugby Club, Leeds, UK
| | - Ben Jones
- Institute for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK
- Yorkshire Carnegie Rugby Club, Leeds, UK
- The Rugby Football League, Leeds, UK
| | - Gregory Roe
- Institute for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK
- Bath Rugby, Bath, UK
| | - Dale Read
- Institute for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK
- Yorkshire Carnegie Rugby Club, Leeds, UK
| | - Joshua Darrall-Jones
- Institute for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK
- Wasps Rugby, Coventry, UK
| | - Jonathon Weakley
- Institute for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK
- Yorkshire Carnegie Rugby Club, Leeds, UK
| | | | - Kevin Till
- Institute for Sport, Physical Activity and Leisure, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK
- Yorkshire Carnegie Rugby Club, Leeds, UK
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