Storm Clouds on the Horizon: On the Emerging Need to Tighten Selection Policies

Selection-Dependent Differences in Youth Elite Basketball Players' Relative Age, Maturation-Related Characteristics, and Motor Performance

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of players' relative age, maturation-related characteristics, and motor performance tests on two different stages of talent selection (regional and national level) in youth elite basketball. Methods: Relative age, maturation-related variables (height, weight, maturity offset, maturity timing) and motor performance (Countermovement jump, Standing long jump, Modified agility T-test, Linear sprint 20 m) of N = 68 male youth basketball players (Mage = 14.39 ± 0.28 years) were assessed during the initial selection tournament for the German U15 national team. Pre-selection biases regarding relative age and maturity timing on the regional level were investigated utilizing one-sample t-tests. Differences in relative age, maturation-related characteristics and motor performance between players selected (n = 27) and non-selected (n = 41) for the youth national team were examined via independent samples' t-tests and logistic regression analyses. Results: Strong pre-selection biases toward early-born and early-maturing players were confirmed on the regional level. Significant advantages in height and weight and higher values in maturity offset and maturity timing were found for selected players. Among the motor variables, only Countermovement jump performance was significantly better in selected players. When controlling for relative age and biological maturation regression models including motor performance variables did not significantly discriminate players' selection status. Conclusion: Coaches working in national, but also preceding selection stages (regional and club level) should raise their awareness to relative age and biological maturation when evaluating players' potential and current (motor) performance.

Early Success is not a Prerequisite for Success at the Adult Age in Spanish Sprinters

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.

Reliability of anaerobic and aerobic mobility performance tests used in wheelchair rugby, wheelchair basketball and wheelchair tennis: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Understanding the reliability and validity of field-based mobility and performance tests used within the wheelchair sports of basketball (WCB), rugby (WCR) and tennis (WCT) can assist in understanding an athletes' physiological state, training effects, and/or assist with optimising their wheelchair-user interface.

PURPOSE

To examine, evaluate and synthesize current aerobic and anaerobic field-based mobility and performance tests used in WCB, WCR and WCT.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed according to PRISMA guidelines. Studies were included if they investigated performance tests in WCB, WCR and WCT and reported reliability.

RESULTS

Twenty-one studies covering 45 mobility/performance tests were included (anaerobic, n = 35; aerobic, n = 10), with agility and repeated sprints (n = 13) being the most common, followed by linear-sprints (n = 11). Repeated sprint ability (n = 2) and submaximal field-tests (n = 2) were the least frequent. Intra-class correlations among all tests ranged from 0.62 to 0.99, with agility and repeated sprints being 0.65-0.98, followed by values of 0.62-0.99 for linear-sprint, 0.96-0.99 for repeated sprints and 0.85-0.97 for submaximal field-tests.

CONCLUSION

The most frequently measured performance tests were anaerobic tests focusing on agility and repeated sprints. Given the low number of aerobic tests in WCB, WCR and WCT, future research should focus on reliable and valid ways to measure and track performance.

Language games and blurry terminology: Can clarity enhance athlete development?

This perspective focuses on the need for researchers and practitioners to carefully consider the clarity and consistency of their language in the context of athlete development. Evidence supporting a lack of congruency in the way certain terms and expressions are defined, understood, and operationalized continues to accumulate, highlighting the importance of this area for sport stakeholders and the potential looming crises. In systems that regularly rely on precision and accuracy, it will be critical that all involved in the co-creation of knowledge generation and application carefully consider terms that may further complicate athlete development practices. We highlight some potentially blurry terms and draw attention to potential avenues for future research.

Strategy in talent systems: Top-down and bottom-up approaches

Building on a large volume of recent research in talent identification and development, this paper future directions for research and practice. We suggest that strategic coherence become a greater point of emphasis in both, with the Performance, Outcome and Process framework holding the potential to signal various markers of effectiveness. Secondly, greater recognition of the need to deploy limited resources where they promote movement toward these markers of effectiveness. Finally, we make recommendations for the operationalising of strategy in talent and performance systems by considering the integration of top down and bottom-up strategic processes.

Performance Differences in Male Youth Basketball Players According to Selection Status and Playing Position: An Evaluation of the Basketball Learning and Performance Assessment Instrument

The Basketball Learning and Performance Assessment Instrument (BALPAI) has been initially developed and evaluated to assess the performance of students or youth basketball players on the entry level. As it is currently the only observational instrument that allows an overall assessment of players’ in-game performance, it might represent a valuable tool for talent identification and development purposes. To investigate this potential field of application, this study aimed to evaluate the BALPAI regarding reliability and diagnostic validity when assessing youth basketball players within a competitive setting. The study sample comprised N = 54 male youth players (M_age = 14.36 ± 0.33 years) of five regional selection teams (Point Guards, PG: n = 19; Shooting Guards and Small Forwards, SG/SF: n = 21; and Power Forwards and Centers, PF/C: n = 14) that competed at the annual U15 national selection tournament of the German Basketball Federation (n = 24 selected; n = 30 non-selected). A total of 1997 ball-bound actions from five games were evaluated with BALPAI. The inter-rater reliability was assessed for technical execution, decision making, and final efficacy. The diagnostic validity of the instrument was examined via mean group comparisons of the players’ offensive game involvement and performance regarding both selection-dependent and position-dependent differences. The inter-rater reliability was confirmed for all performance-related components (κ_adj ≥ 0.51) while diagnostic validity was established only for specific the BALPAI variables. The selection-dependent analysis demonstrated higher offensive game involvement of selected players in all categories (p < 0.05, 0.27 ≤ Φ ≤ 0.40) as well as better performance in shooting and receiving (p < 0.05, 0.23 ≤ Φ ≤ 0.24). Within the positional groups, the strongest effects were demonstrated among PG (p < 0.05, 0.46 ≤ Φ ≤ 0.60). The position-dependent analysis revealed that PG are more involved in total ball-bound actions (p < 0.05; 0.34 ≤ Φ ≤ 0.53), passing (p < 0.001; 0.55 ≤ Φ ≤ 0.67), and dribbling (p < 0.05, 0.45 ≤ Φ ≤ 0.69) compared to players in other positions. Further differences between players according to selection status and playing position were not detected. The results of this evaluation indicate that the instrument, in its current form, is not yet applicable in competitive youth basketball. The findings highlight the importance of optimizing BALPAI for reliable and valid performance assessments in this context. Future studies should investigate the application of stricter and position-specific criteria to use the observational tool for talent identification and development purposes.

Psychological Safety in High-Performance Sport: Contextually Applicable?

In recent years, high-performance sport has seen a rising interest in Psychological Safety, a construct with a strong empirical basis in certain business contexts. As research and practice interest grows in PS, there are early indications of practitioners and, to a lesser extent research, treating the construct as being universally transferable. We offer three central concerns with this situation. Firstly, it seems that a variety of different interpretations in use may limit the practical application of the construct. Secondly, a concern that not all dimensions of PS are transferable or applicable in the HPSs context, especially for athletes. Finally, emerging evidence from outside of sport suggests potential downsides to the perceptions of PS in a performance/selection sets. We suggest that, as with all theories and constructs, there is a pressing need for nuance and context-specific evidence in how researchers and practitioners approach transferability plus, perhaps, a little more understanding of the real-world high-performance context.