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Bergeron MF, Côté J, Cumming SP, Purcell R, Armstrong N, Basilico L, Burrows K, Charrin JB, Felix A, Groesswang H, Iwasaki Y, Kocher MS, Martowicz M, McConnell K, Moran J, Holm Moseid C, Mountjoy M, Soligard T, Tetelbaum E, Thiel A, Vertommen T, Viseras G, Budgett R, Engebretsen L, Erdener U. IOC consensus statement on elite youth athletes competing at the Olympic Games: essentials to a healthy, safe and sustainable paradigm. Br J Sports Med 2024; 58:946-965. [PMID: 39197945 DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2024-108186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024]
Abstract
With the pronounced ongoing growth of global youth sports, opportunities for and participation of youth athletes on the world sports stage, including the Olympic Games, are expected to escalate. Yet, adolescence is a vulnerable period of development and inherently dynamic, with non-linear and asynchronous progression of physical, physiological, psychological and social attributes. These non-concurrent changes within and between individuals are accompanied by irregular and unpredictable threats and impediments. Likewise, the evident age-based criteria and conventional path for those youth athletes deemed eligible candidates for the Olympic Games are not well or consistently defined. Furthermore, the unstructured and largely varying policies and practices across the sporting International Federations specific to youth participation underscore the need to establish a contemporary universal paradigm that would enable elite youth athletes to navigate an individualised healthy pathway to personal, athletic and sport success. First, we reviewed and summarised key challenges facing elite youth athletes and the relevant evidence fundamental to facilitating and supporting central aspects of health and well-being, while empowering safe, sustainable and positive engagement during athletic and personal advancement and competition. Second, we developed and present a modern elite youth athlete model that emphasises a child-centred, practical framework with corresponding guidelines and recommendations to protect health and well-being while safely and favourably managing international sport competition. Our proposed evidence-informed paradigm will enable and support individualised pathways for healthy, well-rounded and sustainable positive engagement while achieving sport success for youth contending or aiming to compete at world-class international sporting events.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael F Bergeron
- Performance Health, WTA Women's Tennis Association, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
- Health Sciences, University of Hartford, West Hartford, Connecticut, USA
| | - Jean Côté
- School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Jamaica, Canada
| | | | - Rosemary Purcell
- Centre for Youth Mental Health, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Neil Armstrong
- Childrens Health and Exercise Research Centre, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK
| | - Luca Basilico
- World Skate, Maison du Sport International, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Kirsty Burrows
- Medical and Scientific Department, International Olympic Committee, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jean-Benoit Charrin
- Corporate and Sustainable Development Department, International Olympic Committee, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Allyson Felix
- Athletes' Commission, International Olympic Committee, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Heike Groesswang
- International Bobsleigh & Skeleton Federation (IBSF), Salzburg, Austria
| | - Yasunobu Iwasaki
- Anti-Doping, Medical and Scientific Commission, Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Anshinkai Anshin Hospital, Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Mininder S Kocher
- Division of Sports Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Orthopaedic Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Magali Martowicz
- Corporate and Sustainable Development Department, International Olympic Committee, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Kit McConnell
- Sports Department, International Olympic Committee, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Jane Moran
- Medical Commission, International Skating Union, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia - Vancouver Campus, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Christine Holm Moseid
- Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center, Institute of Sports Medicine, Norwegian School of Sports Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Margo Mountjoy
- Department of Family Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Torbjørn Soligard
- Medical and Scientific Department, International Olympic Committee, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Evgenia Tetelbaum
- Sports Department, International Olympic Committee, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Ansgar Thiel
- President, German Sport University, Cologne, Germany
| | - Tine Vertommen
- Medical and Scientific Department, International Olympic Committee, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Expertise Center People and Well-being, Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Gloria Viseras
- Medical and Scientific Department, International Olympic Committee, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Richard Budgett
- Medical and Scientific Department, International Olympic Committee, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lars Engebretsen
- Medical and Scientific Department, International Olympic Committee, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Uğur Erdener
- Medical and Scientific Commission, International Olympic Committee, Lausanne, Switzerland
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2
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Grainger A, Kelly AL, Garland SW, Baker J, Johnston K, McAuley ABT. 'Athletes', 'Talents', and 'Players': Conceptual Distinctions and Considerations for Researchers and Practitioners. Sports Med 2024:10.1007/s40279-024-02101-5. [PMID: 39207610 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-024-02101-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
A clearer understanding of, and tighter boundaries between, terms are important for researchers designing studies as well as for other sport stakeholders creating evidence-informed policies. This article considers the terms 'athlete', 'talent', and 'player' from psychological and sociocultural perspectives and in different sporting communities to highlight the importance of terminological clarity in sport research. We present considerations to clarify the use of these terms within different contexts and how the use of specific terms may affect knowledge mobilization in diverse sporting populations. A conceptual discussion is provided to help operationalize development-related terminology and its associated stages, to better reflect contemporary academic thought, and enhance practical interpretations. Importantly, we also call for greater transparency from researchers when presenting findings and encourage practitioners to clearly define key terms when working in sport. Our intention in this paper is to energize readers to consider how we use language in athlete identification and development contexts, to stimulate deeper thought and discourse around the possible implications these terms may have at any point of an individual's development in sport. Greater deliberation, identification, and acknowledgment of the drawbacks accompanying these terms will be needed before more confident assertions can be made on how researchers and practitioners could (or even should) implement certain terminology across youth sport contexts moving forward. This paper adds to a growing literature on the importance of clarity in terminology and acts as an impetus for those working in specific sports to co-design key terms used by researchers, practitioners, and policy makers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Grainger
- Kitman Labs, Dublin, Ireland.
- Institute of Sport and Health, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dubin 4, Ireland.
- Ulster Rugby, Belfast, Northern Ireland.
| | - Adam L Kelly
- Research for Athlete and Youth Sport Development (RAYSD) Lab, Centre for Life and Sport Sciences (CLaSS), College of Life Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, UK
| | | | - Joseph Baker
- Tanenbaum Institute for Science in Sport, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Kathryn Johnston
- Tanenbaum Institute for Science in Sport, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Alexander B T McAuley
- Research for Athlete and Youth Sport Development (RAYSD) Lab, Centre for Life and Sport Sciences (CLaSS), College of Life Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, UK
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3
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Müller S, Morris-Binelli K, Hambrick DZ, Macnamara BN. Accelerating Visual Anticipation in Sport Through Temporal Occlusion Training: A Meta-Analysis. Sports Med 2024:10.1007/s40279-024-02073-6. [PMID: 39102157 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-024-02073-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The video-based temporal occlusion paradigm has been consistently used in visual anticipation sport research. OBJECTIVE This meta-analysis investigated the magnitude to which video-based temporal occlusion training could improve anticipation skill with transfer to representative laboratory and field tasks. METHODS As there are considerably fewer anticipation training than performance studies, the meta-analysis included 12 intervention studies with 25 effect sizes where video simulation and/or field-based tests were used. The Downs and Black checklist adapted for sports science research was used to assess methodological quality of the included studies. Decision time and accuracy of anticipation were the outcome measures because both are relevant to sports skills. The changes in these measures between experimental and control groups from baseline to the transfer test context were used to calculate the magnitude of the training effect. RESULTS Findings revealed a significant training effect, including a large meta-analytic effect size, and no difference in training benefit across video and field-based transfer tests. Publication bias analyses were inconclusive, likely due to the small number of available studies. CONCLUSIONS These findings are evidence that the temporal occlusion paradigm is an effective method to improve visual anticipation skill across representative perceptual and perceptual-motor transfer tests. The theoretical implication based upon the two-stage model of visual anticipation is that temporal occlusion training can improve use of early information for body positioning by the performer, which could in turn lead to improved execution of the skill goal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Müller
- Centre for Smart Analytics, Federation University Australia, University Drive, Ballarat, 3350, Australia.
| | - Khaya Morris-Binelli
- School of Health Sciences, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, Australia
| | - David Z Hambrick
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, Michigan, USA
| | - Brooke N Macnamara
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, USA
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4
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Luukkainen N, Laukkanen A, Niemistö D, Kotkajuuri J, Meklin E, Sääkslahti A. Longitudinal relationship between organised and non-organised physical activities and overall physical activity in children aged 3-11 years. Eur J Sport Sci 2024; 24:1197-1206. [PMID: 39054814 PMCID: PMC11295102 DOI: 10.1002/ejsc.12172] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Young children's physical activity (PA) has been decreasing while their sports participation has been increasing. Therefore, the aim of this research was to longitudinally examine whether and, if so, how organised and non-organised PA participation by early childhood education and care (ECEC)-aged children (T1; 3-8 years) predicted their accelerometer-measured PA at primary school age (T2; 7-11 years). Secondarily, changes in organised and non-organised PA participation over time were investigated. The cluster-randomised study participants comprised 501 Finnish children (52.3% girls: T1, Mage = 5.57 ± 1.06; T2, Mage = 8.80 ± 1.07). PA participation was queried via guardian questionnaire at T1 and T2. Organised PA participation was operationalised as non-participation, participation in one sport or multisport (two or more) participation; non-organised PA was operationalised as time spent outdoors on weekdays and on weekend days. PA at T2 was measured using accelerometers. The primary outcome was tested using linear regressions, while a paired sample t-test and Mann-Whitney U test assessed differences between T1 and T2. The results showed outdoor time and organised sports participation increased from T1 to T2. Moreover, outdoor time at T1 predicted more moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and less sedentary time at T2, while multisport participation predicted significantly more MVPA and less sedentary time at T2. Overall, being outdoors and multisport participation at younger ages appear to have predicted Finnish children's later (MV) PA and sedentary behaviour.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Arto Laukkanen
- Faculty of Sport and Health SciencesUniversity of JyväskyläJyvaskylaFinland
| | - Donna Niemistö
- Faculty of Sport and Health SciencesUniversity of JyväskyläJyvaskylaFinland
| | - Jimi Kotkajuuri
- Faculty of Sport and Health SciencesUniversity of JyväskyläJyvaskylaFinland
| | - Elina Meklin
- Faculty of Sport and Health SciencesUniversity of JyväskyläJyvaskylaFinland
| | - Arja Sääkslahti
- Faculty of Sport and Health SciencesUniversity of JyväskyläJyvaskylaFinland
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Andrew M, Ford PR, Alder SE, Champ FM, Brownlee TE, Datson N, Causer J. Talent development in female soccer: Developmental activities of professional players in England. J Sports Sci 2024:1-12. [PMID: 38916272 DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2024.2356434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
The activities soccer players engage in during their formative years are thought to significantly contribute to the acquisition of expert performance. Whilst this area has seen great interest in male players, there has been little research in females. The study examined developmental activities engaged in by professional female soccer players in England. 56 female soccer players that had either progressed to professional status in adulthood (professional), or did not (ex-academy), completed the Participant History Questionnaire. Professional players started engaging in soccer at an earlier age than their ex-academy counterparts, resulting in greater engagement in practice and play during childhood. During adolescence, professional players engaged in higher amounts of practice than ex-academy players. Engagement in competition and practice was rated as high in physical and cognitive effort by all, yet ex-academy players reported higher levels of physical effort during early adolescence, and cognitive effort during late adolescence. Findings provide an illustration of the talent pathways of professional female soccer players in England and may inform future talent development systems. Large interindividual variation in soccer-specific and other-sport activity data highlight the importance of further understanding the environments of individual soccer nations and their potential impact on the talent identification and development processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Andrew
- Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport, Manchester, UK
| | - Paul R Ford
- School of Sport, Exercise and Applied Science, St Mary's University, Twickenham, London, UK
| | - Sam E Alder
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Francesca M Champ
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | | | - Naomi Datson
- Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University Institute of Sport, Manchester, UK
| | - Joe Causer
- Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
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6
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Morganti G, Brustio PR, Ruscello B, Apollaro G, Padua E, Kelly AL. Birth Advantages in Male Italian Soccer: How They Influence Players Youth Career and Their Future Career Status. Sports (Basel) 2024; 12:103. [PMID: 38668571 PMCID: PMC11054811 DOI: 10.3390/sports12040103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 03/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Soccer organizations generally adopt deterministic models within their talent pathways. In this framework, early ability and results are emphasized, leading to selection biases, such as birth advantages (i.e., relative age effects and birthplace effects), which research has shown affect both early developmental experiences and continued sporting involvement. Accordingly, this study aimed to (a) provide further test of birth advantages in Italian youth soccer by exploring the birth quarter (BQ) and birthplace (BP) distribution of 1050 male Italian players born between 1999 and 2001 who competed in the national U17 championship throughout the 2015-16 season and (b) investigate how birth advantages influenced selected players' future career status. Chi-square goodness-of-fit tests revealed early born players, and players born in North Italy were overrepresented at the youth level (p-values < 0.0001). Successive prospective analysis revealed only 18% of players developed into professional-level soccer players. Chi-square tests of independence indicated that players' BP was associated with their future career status (p < 0.0001), whereas their BQ was not (p = 0.459). Odds ratios showed players born in North Italy were five times more likely to complete the youth-to-senior transition than those born in South Italy. These findings highlighted environmental factors influence Italian players' early developmental experiences and their future career status.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Morganti
- Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of the Quality of Life, San Raffaele Roma Open University, 00166 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (B.R.); (E.P.)
| | - Paolo Riccardo Brustio
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy;
| | - Bruno Ruscello
- Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of the Quality of Life, San Raffaele Roma Open University, 00166 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (B.R.); (E.P.)
- Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, “Tor Vergata” University, 00133 Rome, Italy
- LUISS SportLab, 00197 Rome, Italy
| | - Gennaro Apollaro
- Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal Child Health, University of Genoa, 16126 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Elvira Padua
- Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of the Quality of Life, San Raffaele Roma Open University, 00166 Rome, Italy; (G.M.); (B.R.); (E.P.)
| | - Adam L. Kelly
- Research for Athlete and Youth Sport Development (RAYSD) Lab, Centre for Life and Sport Sciences (CLaSS), Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham B15 3TN, UK
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7
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Güllich A, Barth M. Effects of Early Talent Promotion on Junior and Senior Performance: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Sports Med 2024; 54:697-710. [PMID: 37921913 PMCID: PMC10978645 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-023-01957-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Does younger involvement in talent promotion programs (TPPs) facilitate the attainment of higher performance levels? This question is the subject of the present meta-analysis. Many national sport systems have established TPPs such as federations' junior squads (including under-age selection teams) and youth sport academies, and many are making expanding investments in TPPs. TPPs seek to select the most advanced youth high performers at young ages, around puberty or younger, and then strive to further accelerate their performance development. However, studies show 25-55% annual athlete turnover within TPPs. In this context, accelerated biological maturation (puberty, growth spurt), high relative age within one's birth year, and intensified sport-specific childhood/adolescent practice may boost rapid junior performance, but the effects diminish or are reversed by adulthood. Moreover, expanded opportunity costs and risks (time demands, injury, burnout) imposed on young TPP participants may impair their long-term development and even prematurely terminate their career. OBJECTIVE We aimed to provide robust and generalizable evidence on the effects of early talent promotion on junior and senior performance through a systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS A systematic literature search was conducted 18/03-03/04/2023 in SPORTDiscus, ProQuest, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, WorldCat, and Google Scholar. We searched for original studies that compared athletes across defined higher and lower performance levels within defined types of sports, age categories, and sexes, regarding their age at commencement of TPP involvement and reported effect sizes or data needed to compute effects sizes. Mean meta-analytic Cohen's d ¯ was computed separately for junior and senior athletes. Quality of evidence was evaluated using the mixed-methods appraisal tool. RESULTS The search yielded k = 51 effect sizes from N = 6233 athletes from a wide range of countries and sports, 82% male and 18% female, from 2009 to 2022. The central finding is that effects on short-term junior performance versus long-term senior performance are opposite, whereby higher-performing junior athletes began TPP involvement at younger ages than lower-performing junior athletes, d ¯ = - 0.53. In contrast, higher-performing senior athletes began TPP involvement at older ages than lower-performing senior athletes, d ¯ = 0.56. The findings are robust across different TPPs (federation's junior squad/selection team, youth academy), individual and team sports, and performance levels compared (international, national, regional). The quality of primary studies was high. DISCUSSION The findings are consistent with recent meta-analytic evidence that participation patterns predicting early junior success versus long-term senior success are opposite (starting age, main-sport and other-sports practice amounts, age to reach performance 'milestones'). We discuss theoretical and practical implications of potential selection and 'treatment' effects of TPPs. CONCLUSIONS Consistent across different populations, early TPP involvement is positively correlated with short-term junior performance but is negatively correlated with long-term senior performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arne Güllich
- Department of Sports Science, RPTU Kaiserslautern-Landau, Erwin-Schrödinger-Straße 57, 67663, Kaiserslautern, Germany.
| | - Michael Barth
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Fürstenweg 185, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
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Iso-Ahola SE. A theory of the skill-performance relationship. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1296014. [PMID: 38406307 PMCID: PMC10884260 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1296014] [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: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The skill-performance relationship is a cornerstone of a meritocratic society. People are selected for schools, colleges and jobs based on the premise that more skillful individuals perform better. Scientific understanding of the skill-performance relationship demands that the effect of skill on performance is objectively assessed without subjective, social, and political considerations. One of the best areas for this analysis is sports. In many sports settings, the skill-performance relationship can objectively be examined at the technical, behavioral, psychological, and neurological levels. This examination reveals that skill and performance are inextricably intertwined. While skill affects performance, performance in turn defines and affects skill. To disentangle the previously confusing and interchangeable use of these key constructs, the paper presents a theoretical model specifying that ability and effort have their own direct effects on performance, as well as indirect effects on performance through skill possession and skill execution in cognitive and physical domains of human performance. Thus, ability and skill are not the same. Although skill is a key determinant of performance, recent theory and research suggests that successful performers are successful not just because of their skills per se, but because they take advantage of their skills by creating more occurrences of momentum, making them last longer, and using them to bounce back faster from streaks of unsuccessful performance. Thus, momentum is an important mediator of the effects of skill on performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seppo E. Iso-Ahola
- Department of Kinesiology, School of Public Health, University of Maryland, College Park, MD, United States
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9
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Zhang T, Park D, Tsukayama E, Duckworth AL, Luo L. Sparking Virtuous Cycles: A Longitudinal Study of Subjective Well-Being and Grit During Early Adolescence. J Youth Adolesc 2024; 53:331-342. [PMID: 37737939 DOI: 10.1007/s10964-023-01862-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/01/2023] [Indexed: 09/23/2023]
Abstract
In cross-sectional research, subjective well-being and grit are found to be positively correlated. Their mutually reinforcing effects are particularly relevant for youth entering early adolescence because, during this developmental period, both well-being and grit have been shown to predict consequential outcomes later in life. However, their mutual relation has not yet been investigated in early adolescence. This study, therefore, examined the possibility of a virtuous cycle linking subjective well-being and grit during early adolescence. Self-report questionnaires of grit and subjective well-being were completed by N = 5291 children in China (47.6% girls; initial Mage = 9.69, SDage = 0.59) on six occasions over 3 academic years. In random-intercept cross-lagged panel models (RI-CLPMs), within-person changes in grit predicted within-person changes in subjective well-being 6 months later, and vice versa. Notably, analyses revealed an asymmetry in this cycle: paths from subjective well-being to grit were stronger and more reliable than the converse. Likewise, facet-level analyses showed that the predictive power of the perseverance component (of grit) and the affective component (of subjective well-being), respectively, was greater than the passion and cognitive components, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of boosting happiness for catalyzing positive youth development and, in addition, foreground the utility of studying these composite constructs at the facet level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingdan Zhang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Assessment Toward Basic Education Quality, Beijing Normal University, 100875, Beijing, China
| | - Daeun Park
- Department of Psychology, Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul, 03063, South Korea.
| | - Eli Tsukayama
- Division of Business Administration, University of Hawai'i-West O'ahu, Kapolei, HI, 96707, USA
| | - Angela L Duckworth
- Department of Psychology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
- Department of Operations, Information and Decisions, The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Liang Luo
- Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.
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10
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Grendstad H, Hallén J. Effects of adding high-intensity training during an 8-week period on maximal oxygen uptake in 12-year-old youth athletes. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2024; 34:e14489. [PMID: 37668360 DOI: 10.1111/sms.14489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max ) increases during adolescence parallel to the increase in fat-free mass (FFM). How much endurance training adds to this effect is still controversial. Our aim was to investigate if inclusion of high-intensity training (HIT) during an 8-week training period was superior to low-intensity strength and coordination training in 12-year-old youth athletes concerning the effect on V̇O2max . METHODS Thirty-five cross-country skiers were randomized into a HIT group (ET) and a strength and coordination group (SC), while 29 less active peers served as controls for growth and maturation (C). Anthropometrics and V̇O2max were assessed before and after the training period, and level of physical activity and training were monitored with accelerometers, training logs and a questionnaire. RESULTS The number of weekly training sessions were higher for ET (4.6 ± 1.2) and SC (4.1 ± 1.0) compared with C (1.8 ± 2.0) (p < 0.01), with only ET conducting HIT sessions (1.9 ± 0.2 per week). C spent more time sedentary and less time in moderate and vigorous activity compared with ET (p < 0.05). All groups had a similar %-change pre-post in absolute V̇O2max (mL min-1 ) of 6% ± 6% for ET (p < 0.01), 5% ± 7 for SC (p = 0.14), and 5% ± 13% for C (p = 0.03), with no significant differences between groups. V̇O2max relative to FFM did not change significantly for any groups. CONCLUSION The change in V̇O2max paralleled the change in FFM for all groups, questioning the effect of HIT on V̇O2max over an 8-week period in youth athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Halvard Grendstad
- Department of Physical Performance, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway
| | - Jostein Hallén
- Department of Physical Performance, Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway
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11
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Barth M, Güllich A, Macnamara BN, Hambrick DZ. Quantifying the Extent to Which Junior Performance Predicts Senior Performance in Olympic Sports: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Sports Med 2024; 54:95-104. [PMID: 37676619 PMCID: PMC10799111 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-023-01906-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To what extent does junior athletic performance predict senior athletic performance (i.e., in the highest, open-age category)? This question is the subject of a lively debate in the literature. Following traditional theories of giftedness and expertise, some researchers and practitioners have proposed that a high level of junior performance is a prerequisite for the development of a high level of later senior performance. Sceptics of this view hold that junior performance has limited predictive value for later senior performance, pointing to empirical evidence indicating that predictors (e.g., participation patterns) of junior performance and of senior performance differ. The straightforward way to resolve this controversy empirically is to test the correlation between junior and senior performance. OBJECTIVE To provide robust and generalizable evidence on this issue, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of relevant studies. The aim was to quantify the overall correlation between junior and senior performance and then test whether correlations vary across junior age categories and subsamples (e.g., types of sports). METHODS A systematic literature search was conducted in SPORTDiscus, Eric, ProQuest, PsychInfo, PubMed, Scopus, WorldCat, and Google Scholar from 27 January through 30 April 2022. We searched for original studies that recorded athletes' junior and senior performance longitudinally and included measures of association between junior and senior performance. Quality of evidence was evaluated using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool version for nonrandomized studies. RESULTS The search yielded k = 129 effect sizes from N = 13,392 athletes from a wide range of Olympic sports, 62% male and 38% female, from 2006 to 2021. Four central findings emerged: (1) Overall, the meta-analytic pooled correlation between junior and senior performance was [Formula: see text] = 0.148. That is, junior performance explained only 2.2% of the reliable variance in senior performance. (2) The finding was robust across types of sports, sexes, wider or narrower performance ranges, national or international samples, and binary or continuous performance measures. (3) Effects varied across junior age categories: the younger the junior age category, the lower the correlation between junior and senior performance, with [Formula: see text] ranging from [Formula: see text] = - 0.052 to [Formula: see text] = 0.215. That is, across junior age categories, junior performance explained 0-4.6% of the reliable variance in senior performance. (4) The quality of primary studies was high. DISCUSSION The results suggest that junior performance has very little, if any, predictive value for senior performance. The findings run counter to claims from traditional theories of both giftedness and expertise. From an applied perspective, talent selection typically begins around puberty or younger-age ranges where youth performance is uncorrelated or negatively correlated with later senior performance. The evidence presented here raises serious questions about the use of junior performance for talent selection purposes. A PRISMA-P protocol was registered at https://osf.io/gck4a/ .
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Barth
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Fürstenweg 176, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.
| | - Arne Güllich
- Department of Sports Science, RPTU Kaiserslautern, Erwin-Schrödinger-Straße 57, 67663, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Brooke N Macnamara
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, 11220 Bellflower Road, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - David Z Hambrick
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, 316 Physics Road, East Lansing, MI, 48825, USA
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12
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Garland WJ, Smith KL, Dixon JC, Horton S. Developmental activities of elite junior hockey players: an analysis of early sport specialization. Front Sports Act Living 2023; 5:1253007. [PMID: 38022788 PMCID: PMC10644152 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2023.1253007] [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: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Early sport specialization is a popular and contentious topic in the scientific literature and popular media. The lure of extrinsic rewards has led to increasing rates of specialization among young athletes, while expert recommendations promote multisport participation. The purpose of this study was to describe and analyze developmental activities of a group of elite junior hockey players in Canada. Within this context, elements of specialization were investigated in accordance with existing theoretical frameworks and long-term athlete development models to enhance the literature. Fifteen participants from the Ontario Hockey League completed quantitative retrospective interviews, detailing past sport and recreational activities. Thirty-one developmental milestones were assessed. Accumulated hours of activity were categorized in accordance with Côté's (1999) Developmental Model of Sports Participation, along with the number and types of sports in which they participated during childhood. Jayanthi et al.'s (2015) continuum was utilized to determine the age at which the athletes became moderately and highly specialized. Accrued hours of deliberate practice reported by participants increased from ages 6 to 16 years, as did competition in organized hockey games. Reported hours of deliberate play peaked at 9 years of age and decreased thereafter. Participants played a combined 16 sports other than hockey, ranging from an average of 2.0 at age 6, to a maximum average of 5.6 at 12 years old, and decreasing each year to 2.3 by age 15. The greatest number of hours in other sports was accumulated at 12 years of age. Using a three-point scale, participants considered themselves "highly specialized" at 14 years old; however, other quantitative indicators suggested this may have occurred at 12 years of age. Relative to previous research on early sport specialization, participants in this study spent more time practicing hockey, while ceasing hockey-specific play and other sports at younger ages. Despite a diverse sport history, hockey competition was initiated earlier than recommended, showing high levels of sport commitment as young as 9 years old. The early specialization path remains a popular trajectory among coaches, parents, and athletes in Canadian ice hockey.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - K. L. Smith
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
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13
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Ramsay G, Mosher A, Baker J. Is There Just One Type of Multisport Pathway? A Scoping Review of Multisport Engagement in Early Athlete Development. SPORTS MEDICINE - OPEN 2023; 9:96. [PMID: 37851177 PMCID: PMC10584762 DOI: 10.1186/s40798-023-00644-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
Multisport engagement is positioned as the antithesis to specialization within youth development pathways. However, different terms are used to describe the multisport pathway, which may create confusion regarding what the pathway should look like. This review investigated all published research examining the multisport pathway, with a focus on terminology, and how different terms have led to varying interpretations of this research. Four databases were searched for all peer reviewed studies published up until December 2021. All included papers were full text, in English, and focusing on multisport athlete engagement. In total, 1974 abstracts were screened for inclusion eligibility, resulting in 82 articles included within this review. General results showed most studies are empirical (71%, n = 58) and looked at athlete development pathways using retrospective questionnaires aimed at investigating the specific pathway to sporting excellence. However, despite the consensus that multisport athletes play many sports in their lifetime, there is little investigation into when and the level of intensity (play versus practice) at which these sports are being played. Further, inconsistencies in the terminology used to describe this pathway have made it difficult to understand potential mechanisms that lead to any positive or negative effects. It is recommended that differences between the key terms of diversification and sampling are clarified and should not be regarded as synonymous as they may represent different paths within multisport development based on varying levels of intensity of play and practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gillian Ramsay
- Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Alexandra Mosher
- School of Kinesiology and Health Science, York University, Toronto, Canada
| | - Joseph Baker
- Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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14
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Aaron AO, Jose Maria GR, Juan Jose S. Early Success is not a Prerequisite for Success at the Adult Age in Spanish Sprinters. J Hum Kinet 2023; 89:139-148. [PMID: 38053948 PMCID: PMC10694715 DOI: 10.5114/jhk/168284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of the study was to describe the relationship between success in junior and senior categories in sprint events. An observational and longitudinal analysis was carried out using rankings of the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation database. We analysed 547 sprinters (238 women and 309 men) from their U14 to senior stage who ranked in top-20 on at least one occasion during the period 2004 to 2021. The first entry in top-20 occurred mostly in U14 (44.4%, 243), and the frequency was progressively lower: 26.7% (146) in U16; 20.8% (114) in U18; 5.1% (28) in U20; 2% (11) in U23; and 0.9% (5) in the senior category. A similar tendency was observed in male and female athletes. Only 3.8% (9) of top-20 U14 athletes reached the senior elite stage, increasing this percentage in subsequent categories: 7.4% (15) in U16; 10.6% (24) in U18; 20.9% (32) in U20, and 31.4% (32) from U23 to the senior category. Data from female athletes showed higher maintenance of top-20 status from early categories to senior age. We conclude that even though the first entry into the national top-20 in sprint events occurs early in most cases, success in these initial stages is not a prerequisite for reaching top-20 positions in the senior category.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agudo-Ortega Aaron
- Sports Training Laboratory, Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Castilla La Mancha, Toledo, Spain
| | - Gonzalez-Rave Jose Maria
- Sports Training Laboratory, Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Castilla La Mancha, Toledo, Spain
| | - Salinero Juan Jose
- Sports Training Laboratory, Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Castilla La Mancha, Toledo, Spain
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15
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Larson HK, Young BW, McHugh TLF, Rodgers WM. Visual representations of single- and multi-sport participation in a youth swimming sample: Implications for definitions and discussions of early specialization. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0292038. [PMID: 37756317 PMCID: PMC10530013 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0292038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Academic literature and sport policy documents have cited concerns about an increasing prevalence of early sport specialization, with associated burnout, dropout, and injury. However, evidence to support such statements is limited. Definitions of early specialization vary, but a common criterion is continued participation in a single sport, prior to adolescence. We explored the prevalence of single-sport participation and other patterns of sport involvement from ages 6-12 in a Canadian swimming sample using retrospective longitudinal methods. Parents of 236 competitive swimmers (ages 12-17) completed surveys on their children's sport backgrounds, including the number of sports participated in annually from age 6-12. A cluster heat map elucidated single- and multi-sport patterns over time. Mixed analyses of variance tested for differences by gender and club type. Fourteen percent of our sample showed stable participation in either one sport or multiple sports per year over time, 25% decreased their annual number of sports, and 60% increased. This trend of increasing, rather than decreasing the number of sports in their annual activity roster when approaching age 12 was particularly pronounced for girls. Only 10 participants (4% of the sample) consistently engaged in a single sport each year from age 6-12. Summer (seasonal) swimmers consistently did more sports than year-round swimmers. Overall, our findings showed highly idiosyncratic longitudinal patterns of sport participation that did not easily conform to current sport activity guidelines. We also found similar idiosyncrasy in an ad-hoc analysis of participants who had dropped out of swimming a year later. If single-sport participation is considered a key criterion for defining early specialization, our findings suggest the prevailing narrative around early specialization may be overstated in relation to the number of single-sport athletes. Alternatively, other components of early specialization may be more prevalent and deserving of attention due to possible associations with harmful outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather K. Larson
- Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Bradley W. Young
- Faculty of Health Sciences, School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Tara-Leigh F. McHugh
- Faculty of Kinesiology, Sport, and Recreation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Wendy M. Rodgers
- Faculty of Human and Health Sciences, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, British Columbia, Canada
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16
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Yu S. Between-Level Incongruences in Human Positivity. PERSPECTIVES ON PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE 2023:17456916231190824. [PMID: 37669013 DOI: 10.1177/17456916231190824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/06/2023]
Abstract
Humans now understand the world as multilevel in nature. For example, societies emerge from individuals, and general experiences of life consist of specific aspects and momentary episodes. A critical feature of multilevel phenomena is between-level incongruences. Applied to human positivity, this means that positive higher-level units are not simply composed of positive lower-level units and that what is good for lower-level units may not be good for higher-level units (and vice versa). For example, killjoys may improve societal well-being, personal achievement may require giving up on certain goals, and a happy life may not arise from simply happy moments. In this article, I provide examples (organized by the positive outcome of well-being and performance and by the social, structural, and temporal forms of multilevel phenomena) to show that such between-level incongruences are ubiquitous. Next, I analyze a few mechanisms that may govern the diverse instantiations of between-level incongruences in positivity. Finally, I discuss implications of this perspective, such as why positivity claims should always qualify their level of analysis; how psychological science may benefit from a multilevel, dynamical, and computational perspective; and how to improve human positivity in light of between-level incongruences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shi Yu
- Applied Psychology Program, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, China
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17
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Söderström T, Garn AC. Sport specialization in Swedish football players: Investigating a model of antecedents and outcomes. Eur J Sport Sci 2023; 23:1868-1876. [PMID: 36576160 DOI: 10.1080/17461391.2022.2153084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Drawing on data from the present and former football players (N = 1026) selected to a national football talent programme at the age of 15, this study explores a model of sport specialisation. We examined three specific aspects of sport specialisation including early football specialisation, participation in youth elite football training environments (i.e. academies) and enrolment in upper secondary football specialisation schools. Antecedents of these sport specialisation factors included gender (i.e. sociocultural), grit (i.e. personality) and perceptions of family finances (i.e. social). Outcomes focused on adult football participation at the age of 21 including elite skill acquisition (i.e. playing elite football) and personal development (i.e. participation in non-elite football). Findings revealed that females were less likely to gain access to elite football training or school specialisation environments. There was also a positive association between grit and participation in elite training environments. In terms of outcomes, players, who got trained in elite training environments during adolescence, were twice as likely to play elite football at the age of 21, while those who attended football specialisation schools were more likely to participate in non-elite football at the age of 21. Early specialisation was not associated with either adult participation outcome. This is one of the few studies to date addressing diverse antecedents and outcomes of sport specialisation factors. Understanding how sport specialisation practices relate to future skill acquisition and personal development can provide guidance for maximising the benefits of youth sport programming.HighlightsGirls had less opportunity to participate in elite training environments and school football classes.Early specialisation was unrelated to elite football participation at the age of 21.Participation in youth elite training increased the likelihood of elite status as an adult.Need for closer examination of sport specialisation disparities for female players.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tor Söderström
- Department of Education, Umeå School of Sport Sciences, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Alex C Garn
- School of Kinesiology, Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, LA, USA
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18
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Oršolić M, Barbaros P, Novak D. What makes a Grand Slam champion? Early engagement, late specialization and timely transition from having fun to dedication. Front Sports Act Living 2023; 5:1213317. [PMID: 37547818 PMCID: PMC10401607 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2023.1213317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
In order to provide adequate support for young tennis players, it is important to understand the development path and factors which can have a positive or negative impact on the development of a player. The aim of this research was to determine the factors that affected sports specialization in tennis by means of qualitative analysis (early, optimal, or late). As well as to deepen the knowledge around the phenomenon of specialization in tennis among players of differing success levels through their personal experiences, in order to contribute to a better understanding of their specialization. The authors interviewed 30 tennis players of differing levels, including 10 participants from the most elite level (Grand Slam champions), exploring their contrasting experiences of development. The data set was analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Three topics were generated, which included the following: engaging in sport, decisions, and time of specialization. The obtained results offer a stimulus to reflect on numerous aspects of athlete development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Oršolić
- Faculty of Food Technology Osijek, Josip Juraj StrossmayerUniversity of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia
| | - Petar Barbaros
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Dario Novak
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
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19
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Carvalho HM, Gonçalves CE. Mismatches in youth sports talent development. Front Sports Act Living 2023; 5:1189355. [PMID: 37398556 PMCID: PMC10312081 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2023.1189355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
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20
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Güllich A, Barth M, Macnamara BN, Hambrick DZ. Quantifying the Extent to Which Successful Juniors and Successful Seniors are Two Disparate Populations: A Systematic Review and Synthesis of Findings. Sports Med 2023; 53:1201-1217. [PMID: 37022588 PMCID: PMC10185603 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-023-01840-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To what extent does the pathway to senior elite success build on junior elite success? Evidence from longitudinal studies investigating athletes' junior-to-senior performance development is mixed; prospective studies have reported percentages of juniors who achieved an equivalent competition level at senior age (e.g., international championships at both times) ranging from 0 to 68%. Likewise, retrospective studies have reported percentages of senior athletes who had achieved an equivalent competition level at junior age ranging from 2 to 100%. However, samples have been heterogeneous in terms of junior age categories, competition levels, sex, sports, and sample sizes. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to establish more robust and generalizable findings via a systematic review and synthesis of findings. We considered three competition levels-competing at a national championship level, competing at an international championship level, and winning international medals-and addressed three questions: (1) How many junior athletes reach an equivalent competition level when they are senior athletes? (2) How many senior athletes reached an equivalent competition level when they were junior athletes? The answers to these questions provide an answer to Question (3): To what extent are successful juniors and successful seniors one identical population or two disparate populations? METHODS We conducted a systematic literature search in SPORTDiscus, ERIC, ProQuest, PsychInfo, PubMed, Scopus, WorldCat, and Google Scholar until 15 March 2022. Percentages of juniors who achieved an equivalent competition level at senior age (prospective studies) and of senior athletes who had achieved an equivalent competition level at junior age (retrospective studies) were aggregated across studies to establish these percentages for all athletes, separately for prospective and retrospective studies, junior age categories, and competition levels. Quality of evidence was evaluated using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) version for descriptive quantitative studies. RESULTS Prospective studies included 110 samples with 38,383 junior athletes. Retrospective studies included 79 samples with 22,961 senior athletes. The following findings emerged: (1) Few elite juniors later achieved an equivalent competition level at senior age, and few elite seniors had previously achieved an equivalent competition level at junior age. For example, 89.2% of international-level U17/18 juniors failed to reach international level as seniors and 82.0% of international-level seniors had not reached international level as U17/18 juniors. (2) Successful juniors and successful seniors are largely two disparate populations. For example, international-level U17/18 juniors and international-level seniors were 7.2% identical and 92.8% disparate. (3) Percentages of athletes achieving equivalent junior and senior competition levels were the smallest among the highest competition levels and the youngest junior age categories. (4) The quality of evidence was generally high. DISCUSSION The findings question the tenets of traditional theories of giftedness and expertise as well as current practices of talent selection and talent promotion. A PRISMA-P protocol was registered at https://osf.io/gck4a/ .
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Affiliation(s)
- Arne Güllich
- Department of Sports Science, University of Technology Kaiserslautern, Erwin-Schrödinger-Straße 57, 67663, Kaiserslautern, Germany.
| | - Michael Barth
- Department of Sport Science, Universität Innsbruck, Fuerstenweg 185, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria
- Department of Business and Society, University of Applied Sciences Kufstein Tyrol, Andreas Hofer-Straße 7, 6330, Kufstein, Austria
| | - Brooke N Macnamara
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, 11220 Bellflower Road, Cleveland, OH, 44106, USA
| | - David Z Hambrick
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, 316 Physics Road, East Lansing, MI, 48825, USA
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21
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Williams AM, Hodges NJ. Effective practice and instruction: A skill acquisition framework for excellence. J Sports Sci 2023; 41:833-849. [PMID: 37603709 DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2023.2240630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
We revisit an agenda that was outlined in a previous paper in this journal focusing on the importance of skill acquisition research in enhancing practice and instruction in sport. In this current narrative review, we reflect on progress made since our original attempt to highlight several potential myths that appeared to exist in coaching, implying the existence of a theory-practice divide. Most notably, we present five action points that would impact positively on coaches and practitioners working to improve skill learning across sports, as well as suggesting directions for research. We discuss the importance of practice quality in enhancing learning and relate this concept to notions of optimising challenge. We discuss how best to assess learning, the right balance between repetition and practice that is specific to competition, the relationship between practice conditions, instructions, and individual differences, and why a more "hands-off" approach to instruction may have advantages over more "hands-on" methods. These action points are considered as a broad framework for advancing skill acquisition for excellence (SAFE) in applied practice. We conclude by arguing the need for increased collaboration between researchers, coaches, and other sport practitioners.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Mark Williams
- Health Span, Resilience, and Performance Research Group, Institute of Human and Machine Cognition, Pensacola, Florida, USA
| | - Nicola J Hodges
- School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
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22
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Güllich A, Barth M, Hambrick DZ, Macnamara BN. Participation patterns in talent development in youth sports. Front Sports Act Living 2023; 5:1175718. [PMID: 37274619 PMCID: PMC10232881 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2023.1175718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
There has been a longstanding debate about the question: What amounts of what types of youth sport activities optimally facilitate later athletic excellence? This article provides a review of relevant research. We first evaluate popular conceptualizations of participation patterns-early specialization, deliberate practice, and deliberate play. Then, we review the available evidence on associations between performance and individual participation variables. The review reveals conceptual, definitional, and empirical flaws of the conceptions of early specialization, deliberate practice, and deliberate play. These approaches thus possess limited usefulness for empirical research. A review of studies considering individual, clearly defined participation variables provides a differentiated pattern of findings: Predictors of rapid junior performance and of long-term senior performance are opposite. Higher-performing juniors, compared to lower-performing peers, started playing their main sport, began involvement in talent promotion programs, and reached developmental performance milestones at younger ages, while accumulating larger amounts of coach-led main-sport practice, but less other-sports practice. In contrast, senior world-class athletes, compared to less-accomplished national-class peers, started playing their main sport, began involvement in talent promotion programs, and achieved performance milestones at older ages, while accumulating less coach-led main-sport practice, but more other-sports practice. We discuss implications for theory, practice, and future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arne Güllich
- Department of Sports Science, RPTU Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Michael Barth
- Department of Sport Science, Universität Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - David Z. Hambrick
- Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, United States
| | - Brooke N. Macnamara
- Department of Psychological Sciences, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, United States
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Abstract
A considerable amount of human behavior occurs within the context of sports. In recent years there have been notable advances in psychological science research applied to understanding athletic endeavor. This work has utilized a number of novel theoretical, methodological, and data analytic approaches. We review the current evidence related to developmental considerations, intrapersonal athlete factors, group processes, and the role of the coach in explaining how athletes function within the sport domain. This body of work sheds light on the diverse ways in which psychological processes contribute to athletic strivings. It also has the potential to spark interest in domains of psychology concerned with achievement as well as to encourage cross-domain fertilization of ideas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark R Beauchamp
- School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada;
| | - Alan Kingstone
- Department of Psychology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada;
| | - Nikos Ntoumanis
- Danish Centre for Motivation and Behaviour Science, Department of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark;
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24
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Peters CM, Hendry DT, Hodges NJ. A scoping review on developmental activities of girls' and women's sports. Front Sports Act Living 2022; 4:903886. [PMID: 36213454 PMCID: PMC9538116 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2022.903886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
We provide a scoping review of research on athlete development in girls' and women's sports. Our emphasis is on pathways to expertise in the context of deliberate practice theory and associated models, such as the Developmental Model of Sport Participation (DMSP). Despite rationale for sex and gender differences in sport development, there are relatively few studies where the developmental pathways of female elite athletes have been evaluated. We sought to map the scope of the literature on this population over the last 30 years, focusing on measures of practice types and amounts. Following an extensive search of the literature, 32 studies were identified that included all female participants or presented sex/gender disaggregated data. Retrospective methods were commonly used to quantify practice, play and specialization. National-level athletes were the most represented, although there was considerable heterogeneity in sport and expertise-level, making general or comparative judgements challenging. We identified some groups that had accumulated high volumes of practice at a young age, particularly in soccer and gymnastics. Across sports and studies, early majority hours of engagement in the primary sport was the norm. Athletes deviated from predictions in the specialization pathway detailed in the DMSP, by continuing to participate in other sports throughout childhood and adolescence. In addition to highlighting the relative paucity of data pertaining to athlete development pathways in female athletes, we show that the data from these groups deviate from predictions detailed in current models of athlete development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carrie M. Peters
- Motor Skills Lab, School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - David T. Hendry
- Department of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Nicola J. Hodges
- Motor Skills Lab, School of Kinesiology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- *Correspondence: Nicola J. Hodges
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Brito H, Brymer E, Araújo D. An ecological dynamics perspective on designing urban nature environments for wellbeing and health-enhancing physical activity. Front Public Health 2022; 10:877208. [PMID: 35968417 PMCID: PMC9363900 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.877208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The latest World Health Organization report on green and blue space and mental health (2021) calls for greater, and better, urban nature environments, i. e., “wilder” urban parks, tree-laden sidewalks, and overall presence of nature in the urban environment. Evidence shows that living close to and interacting with nature promotes benefits to numerous health and well-being indicators. The present article narratively reviews what are the aspects of urban nature environments that enhance health and wellbeing markers, which aspects are preferred among users and visitors of urban nature environments, and how can the benefits for health and wellbeing be understood from a theoretical perspective. Finally, guided by the ecological dynamics framework, suggestions are put forward on how designers and planners of urban nature environments can consider affordances to promote physical activity behavior, health and wellbeing; and how exercise and health researchers and professionals may channel the interaction of individuals with the nature environment in their interventions and programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henrique Brito
- CIPER, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
- *Correspondence: Henrique Brito
| | - Eric Brymer
- Faculty of Health, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW, Australia
| | - Duarte Araújo
- CIPER, Faculdade de Motricidade Humana, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
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Larkin P, Barkell J, O'Connor D. The Practice Environment—How Coaches May Promote Athlete Learning. Front Sports Act Living 2022; 4:957086. [PMID: 35935064 PMCID: PMC9352883 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2022.957086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The coaching environment is the primary teaching and learning medium for the development of athlete skills. Therefore, by understanding how practice environments are designed to facilitate learning, coaches can make decisions around the structure of specific activities and behavior to promote athlete learning and development. This short review examines the coaching environment literature, with a particular focus on the structure and content within a practice session. The review will highlight the specific activities coaches utilize to develop athletes technical and tactical skills. Further, the coaching behaviors used to promote athlete learning is discussed, and how coach athlete interactions may influence learning. Finally, we provide applied recommendations for coaches, and highlight areas for future coaching science research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Larkin
- Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Maribrynong Sports Academy, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - James Barkell
- Sydney School of Education and Social Work, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Donna O'Connor
- Sydney School of Education and Social Work, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- *Correspondence: Donna O'Connor
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27
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Comparing cross-sectional and longitudinal tracking to establish percentile data and assess performance progression in swimmers. Sci Rep 2022; 12:10292. [PMID: 35717501 PMCID: PMC9206680 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-13837-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
To provide percentile curves for short-course swimming events, including 5 swimming strokes, 6 race distances, and both sexes, as well as to compare differences in race times between cross-sectional analysis and longitudinal tracking, a total of 31,645,621 race times of male and female swimmers were analyzed. Two percentile datasets were established from individual swimmers’ annual best times and a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine differences between cross-sectional analysis and longitudinal tracking. A software-based percentile calculator was provided to extract the exact percentile for a given race time. Longitudinal tracking reduced the number of annual best times that were included in the percentiles by 98.35% to 262,071 and showed faster mean race times (P < 0.05) compared to the cross-sectional analysis. This difference was found in the lower percentiles (1st to 20th) across all age categories (P < 0.05); however, in the upper percentiles (80th to 99th), longitudinal tracking showed faster race times during early and late junior age only (P < 0.05), after which race times approximated cross-sectional tracking. The percentile calculator provides quick and easy data access to facilitate practical application of percentiles in training or competition. Longitudinal tracking that accounts for drop-out may predict performance progression towards elite age, particularly for high-performance swimmers.
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Aguiar CM, Coelho EF, Paula HED, Ferreira RM, Lima JRPD, Werneck FZ. Determinantes do desempenho no atletismo. CONEXÕES 2022. [DOI: 10.20396/conex.v20i00.8666327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Introdução: a avaliação do potencial esportivo é uma etapa importante na descoberta de novos talentos e deve utilizar preditores relevantes do desempenho. Objetivo: investigar a importância atribuída por treinadores aos determinantes do desempenho no atletismo, analisando diferenças entre os tipos de prova. Metodologia: participaram 12 treinadores brasileiros de atletismo (11 homens; 83% de Minas Gerais; 75% com experiência no alto rendimento e 42% com títulos internacionais). Aplicou-se um questionário contendo seis fatores e 51 indicadores do desempenho no atletismo. Os treinadores responderam em relação a importância atribuída aos fatores antropométrico, físico-motor, técnico, tático, psicológico e socioambiental, numa escala Likert (1-nada importante e 5-extremamente importante) e a ordem de importância, considerando do 1º ao 6º mais importante. Avaliaram ainda a importância para o desempenho de velocistas, fundistas, saltadores, lançadores e provas combinadas. Resultados e discussão: a ordem de importância dos fatores de desempenho foi: 1º) Físico-motor, 2º) Técnico, 3º) Psicológico, 4º) Antropométrico, 5º) Tático e 6º) Socioambiental. O fator tático, entretanto, foi o mais importante para os fundistas e atletas de provas combinadas. Conclusão: a opinião dos treinadores revelou que as características físico-motoras, técnicas e psicológicas são, nesta ordem, os principais fatores determinantes do desempenho no atletismo. Porém, é preciso considerar as diferenças observadas em relação aos grupos de provas, pois cada um apresenta particularidades que caracterizam um perfil específico.
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Spies F, Schauer L, Bindel T, Pfeiffer M. Talent detection—importance of the will and the ability when starting a sport activity. GERMAN JOURNAL OF EXERCISE AND SPORT RESEARCH 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12662-022-00796-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
AbstractThe early identification of sports talents includes finding the right sport and is of great importance for both scientists and practitioners. In this article, special attention will be paid to the entry into sports in general as a basis of a talent development process. Sport-specific evidence from a variety of talent development models will be listed and research gaps will be identified. For this purpose, this article refers to a model that can be classified as both process and structure oriented and tries to find domain-specific application. A framework is presented as a research approach in which the different scientific disciplines can bring together their subject areas. This enables so-called ability–personality profiles consisting individual constellations of motivation variables, interests, skills, and experience to be studied together and incorporated into the talent development process. The arrangement of movement offers should be oriented to the individual profiles. At the same time, movement experiences can offer the basis for the formation of interests, motivation, and sport-motor skills, i.e., of the will and the ability. Taking the will into account as well as the ability could lead people to detect their own talent (based on contents of the presented framework) and the sport that is suitable for them, and thus be ready for the entry to the path of talent development.
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Aalberg M, Roaas TV, Aune MA, Bjerke Ø, Aune TK. In Pursuit of a Comprehensive Understanding of Expertise Development: A Comparison between Paths to World-Class Performance in Complex Technical vs. Endurance Demanding Sports. Sports (Basel) 2022; 10:sports10020016. [PMID: 35202056 PMCID: PMC8880625 DOI: 10.3390/sports10020016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
A comprehensive understanding of skill acquisition is important for different performance domains, and has practical implications for both sport sciences and public health. The study compared important constraints for expertise development in a physically demanding sport (cross-country skiing) versus a technically demanding sport (freeskiing). Eighteen world-class athletes reported the importance of different constraints for their developmental history subdivided into two age spans: (1) 7–15 years and (2) 16 years until present. The total amount of training did not differ between the groups, but from the age of 16, the cross-country skiers spend approximately 98% of their training specific to their main sport, compared to 75% for freeskiers. No differences were found between the distribution of organized versus non-organized training in main sport, but freeskiers reported a higher amount of unorganized training in other sports after the age of 16. No differences were found in perceived importance of facilities, enjoyment of performing their sport, or the need for early specialization of training. After the age of 16, the cross-country skiers reported a higher need for coach involvement compared to freeskiers. The two sports mainly share common paths to expertise but differ in the need for specific training and coach involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martine Aalberg
- Department of Sport Science, Sport and Human Movement Science Research Group (SaHMS), Nord University, 7600 Levanger, Norway; (M.A.); (T.V.R.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Truls Valland Roaas
- Department of Sport Science, Sport and Human Movement Science Research Group (SaHMS), Nord University, 7600 Levanger, Norway; (M.A.); (T.V.R.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Morten Andreas Aune
- Department of Sport Science, Sport and Human Movement Science Research Group (SaHMS), Nord University, 7600 Levanger, Norway; (M.A.); (T.V.R.); (M.A.A.)
| | - Øyvind Bjerke
- Department of Teacher Education, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, Norway;
| | - Tore Kristian Aune
- Department of Sport Science, Sport and Human Movement Science Research Group (SaHMS), Nord University, 7600 Levanger, Norway; (M.A.); (T.V.R.); (M.A.A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +47-740-22-774
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Dimundo F, Cole M, Blagrove RC, Till K, Kelly AL. A Multidisciplinary Investigation into the Talent Development Processes in an English Premiership Rugby Union Academy: A Preliminary Study through an Ecological Lens. Sports (Basel) 2022; 10:13. [PMID: 35202053 PMCID: PMC8874485 DOI: 10.3390/sports10020013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: The progression of youth rugby union (RU) players towards senior professional levels can be the result of various different constraints. The aim of this study was to examine characteristics that differentiated playing positions and player rankings in an English Premiership RU academy. (2) Methods: Thirty players (mean age = 18.5 ± 2.8 years) were divided by playing positions (forwards = 18, backs = 12) and ranked (one to thirty) by coaches based on their potential to achieve senior professional status. Players were analysed across 32 characteristics from eight overreaching factors based on task, environmental, and performer constraints. MANOVA and ANOVA were used to calculate differences among variables in players' positions (i.e., forwards vs. backs) and ranks (i.e., top 10 vs. bottom 10), with a Welch's t-test applied to identify individual differences amongst groups and effect sizes calculated. (3) Results: Large effect sizes were found between groups for socioeconomic, sport activity, anthropometric, physical, and psychological factors. Moreover, environmental and performer constraints differentiated playing positions, whereas task and environmental constraints discriminated player ranks. (4) Conclusion: Present findings showed that playing positions and player ranks can be distinguished according to specific constraints.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Dimundo
- Research Centre for Life and Sport Sciences (CLaSS), Department of Sport and Exercise, School of Health Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham B15 3TN, UK; (M.C.); (A.L.K.)
- Worcester Warriors Rugby Football Club, Sixways Stadium, Worcester WR3 8ZE, UK
| | - Matthew Cole
- Research Centre for Life and Sport Sciences (CLaSS), Department of Sport and Exercise, School of Health Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham B15 3TN, UK; (M.C.); (A.L.K.)
| | - Richard C. Blagrove
- School of Sport, Exercise, and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK;
| | - Kevin Till
- Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds LS1 3HE, UK;
| | - Adam L. Kelly
- Research Centre for Life and Sport Sciences (CLaSS), Department of Sport and Exercise, School of Health Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham B15 3TN, UK; (M.C.); (A.L.K.)
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Predictors of Junior Versus Senior Elite Performance are Opposite: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Participation Patterns. Sports Med 2022; 52:1399-1416. [PMID: 35038142 PMCID: PMC9124658 DOI: 10.1007/s40279-021-01625-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Background Does early specialization facilitate later athletic excellence, or is early diversification better? This is a longstanding theoretical controversy in sports science and medicine. Evidence from studies investigating athletes’ starting age, childhood/adolescent progress, and amounts of coach-led practice and peer-led play in their main sport and in other sports has been mixed. Each participation variable was positively correlated with performance in some studies but uncorrelated or negatively correlated with performance in others. However, samples were heterogeneous in age, sports, and performance levels. Objective This study aimed to establish robust, generalizable findings through a systematic review and meta-analysis. We investigated three questions: (1) did higher- and lower-performing athletes differ in childhood/adolescent progress, starting age, or amounts of main-sport or other-sports practice or play; (2) do effects differ between junior and adult athletes, compared performance levels, or types of sports; and (3) are effect sizes from different predictors associated with one another? Methods We conducted a systematic literature search in SPORTDiscus, ERIC, ProQuest, PsycINFO, PubMed, Scopus, WorldCat, and Google Scholar until 28 February 2021. Selection criteria included original research studies comparing higher- versus lower-performing athletes regarding one or more of our predictor variables within defined age categories, sports, and sex, and reporting effect sizes or data needed to compute effects sizes. Mean meta-analytic Cohen’s d was calculated for each predictor. Quality of evidence was evaluated using GRADE. Results In total, 71 study reports met all eligibility criteria and included 262 international athlete samples, 685 effect sizes, and a total sample size of 9241 athletes from local to Olympic competition level and from diverse sports. The following findings emerged. (1) Compared with their national-class counterparts, adult world-class athletes had more childhood/adolescent multi-sport coach-led practice, a later main-sport start, less main-sport practice, and slower initial progress (|0.23|< \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$\bar{d }$$\end{document}d¯<|0.50|; all p < 0.001). (2) The opposite was true for predictors of junior-age performance: higher-performing juniors had an earlier main-sport start, more main-sport practice, less other-sports practice, and faster initial progress (|0.23|< \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$\bar{d }$$\end{document}d¯< |0.61|; all p < 0.001). (3) Main-sport or other-sports peer-led play had negligible effects (all p > 0.05). (4) Results were robust across types of sports. (5) Effect sizes from different predictors were associated with one another (|0.64|< r <|0.79|). A GRADE assessment revealed a low quality of evidence for peer-led play but a moderate to high quality of evidence for all other predictors. Discussion Excess childhood/adolescent specialized practice may hinder athletes’ long-term development through overuse injury, burnout, suboptimal athlete–sport match, and limiting long-term learning capital. By contrast, adult world-class athletes’ childhood/adolescent multi-sport practice with reduced main-sport practice implied a relatively resource-preserving, cost-reducing, and risk-buffering pattern that yielded greater long-term sustainability and practice efficiency. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40279-021-01625-4.
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Tamashiro L, Marques R, Oliveira F, Palma B, Galatti L. Women's futsal at a Brazilian university: does the academic social environment influence prejudices against the players? MOTRIZ: REVISTA DE EDUCACAO FISICA 2022. [DOI: 10.1590/s1980-657420220003921] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - B.P. Palma
- Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Brazil
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Meisel PL, DiFiori JP, Côté J, Nguyen JT, Brenner JS, Malina RM, Ryan E, Güllich A. Age of Early Specialization, Competitive Volume, Injury, and Sleep Habits in Youth Sport: A Preliminary Study of US Youth Basketball. Sports Health 2022; 14:30-44. [PMID: 34753335 PMCID: PMC8655484 DOI: 10.1177/19417381211056301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Concerns for youth sports in the United States often focus on early sport specialization, overemphasis on competition, injuries, and burnout. Little research has addressed relationships among the preceding and other concerns, including time away from organized sport, sleep, and perceptions of physical and psychological well-being. HYPOTHESIS There is an association between reported competitive gameplay volume and specialization, injury, and fatigue among elite youth basketball players. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study; convenience sample. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level 4. METHODS An anonymous questionnaire was administered to a convenience sample of youth basketball players between 13 and 18 years of age from across the United States. Participants were queried about multiple factors, including the extent of their participation in organized basketball and other sports, time away from organized basketball, injury, sleep, and feelings of exhaustion related to basketball participation. RESULTS A total of 772 participants (145 girls, 627 boys) completed a survey. All participants played for a select or elite club basketball team and/or a high school basketball team. Overall, 49% played more than 50 games within the past year. A total of 73% were specialized in basketball, 58% prior to age 14 years, and 35% prior to age 11 years. In all, 70% reported less than 1 month away from organized basketball within the past year, and 28% reported no time away. A total of 54% reported sleeping less than the recommended 8 hours each night during the school year. Within the prior year, 55% reported feeling physically exhausted and 45% reported feeling mentally exhausted from basketball. Regression analysis did not find any significant relationships between early specialization prior to age 14 years and basketball-related injury or feelings of mental or physical exhaustion. CONCLUSION In this select group of youth basketball players, the majority specialized in basketball prior to age 14 years and reported a large number of competitive events with little time away from organized basketball. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The results from a sample of highly competitive youth basketball players indicate issues that warrant further attention and research regarding the potential impact of specialization, frequent competitions, lack of time away from organized sport, and perceptions of well-being in young athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - John P. DiFiori
- National Basketball Association, New York, NY
- Hospital for Special Surgery, New York, New York
| | - Jean Côté
- School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queens University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Joel S. Brenner
- Children’s Hospital of The King’s Daughters, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia
| | - Robert M. Malina
- Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas
| | - Ed Ryan
- USA Basketball, Colorado Springs, Colorado
| | - Arne Güllich
- Department of Sports Science, University of Kaiserslautern, Kaiserslautern, Germany
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35
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Bergmann F, Gray R, Wachsmuth S, Höner O. Perceptual-Motor and Perceptual-Cognitive Skill Acquisition in Soccer: A Systematic Review on the Influence of Practice Design and Coaching Behavior. Front Psychol 2021; 12:772201. [PMID: 34925173 PMCID: PMC8675907 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.772201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Facilitating players' skill acquisition is a major challenge within sport coaches' work which should be supported by evidence-based recommendations outlining the most effective practice and coaching methods. This systematic review aimed at accumulating empirical knowledge on the influence of practice design and coaching behavior on perceptual-motor and perceptual-cognitive skill acquisition in soccer. A systematic search was carried out according to the PRISMA guidelines across the databases SPORTDiscus, PsycInfo, MEDLINE, and Web of Science to identify soccer-specific intervention studies conducted in applied experimental settings (search date: 22nd November 2020). The systematic search yielded 8,295 distinct hits which underwent an independent screening process. Finally, 34 eligible articles, comprising of 35 individual studies, were identified and reviewed regarding their theoretical frameworks, methodological approaches and quality, as well as the interventions' effectiveness. These studies were classified into the following two groups: Eighteen studies investigated the theory-driven instructional approaches Differential Learning, Teaching Games for Understanding, and Non-linear Pedagogy. Another seventeen studies, most of them not grounded within a theoretical framework, examined specific aspects of practice task design or coaches' instructions. The Downs and Black checklist and the Template for Intervention Description and Replication were applied to assess the quality in reporting, risk of bias, and the quality of interventions' description. Based on these assessments, the included research was of moderate quality, however, with large differences across individual studies. The quantitative synthesis of results revealed empirical support for the effectiveness of coaching methodologies aiming at encouraging players' self-exploration within representative scenarios to promote technical and tactical skills. Nevertheless, "traditional" repetition-based approaches also achieved improvements with respect to players' technical outcomes, yet, their impact on match-play performance remains widely unexplored. In the light of the large methodological heterogeneity of the included studies (e.g., outcomes or control groups' practice activities), the presented results need to be interpreted by taking the respective intervention characteristics into account. Overall, the current evidence needs to be extended by theory-driven, high-quality studies within controlled experimental designs to allow more consolidated and evidence-based recommendations for coaches' work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fynn Bergmann
- Institute of Sports Science, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Rob Gray
- Human Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Mesa, AZ, United States
| | - Svenja Wachsmuth
- Institute of Sports Science, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Oliver Höner
- Institute of Sports Science, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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Güllich A, Macnamara BN, Barth M, Hambrick DZ. Further Muddying the Waters? A Comment on Bell et al's 2021 Definition of Youth Sport Specialization. J Athl Train 2021; 56:1252-1254. [PMID: 34752629 DOI: 10.4085/1062-6050-1010-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
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