Article

Training history, deliberate practice and elite sports performance: An analysis in response to Tucker and Collins review-what makes champions?

October 2012
British Journal of Sports Medicine 47(9)

DOI:10.1136/bjsports-2012-091767

Source
PubMed

Authors:

Florida State University

With the recent advances in genome-wide mapping studies and the emerging findings on the relation between athletes’ training histories and their performance, this should be a time for integrating these two bodies of knowledge for a more complete understanding of the complex development of elite performance.1 In their recent article, Tucker and Collins2 criticised a popularised but simplistic view of our work circulated on the internet, which suggests that anyone who has accumulated sufficient number of hours of practice in a given domain will automatically become an expert and a champion. Unfortunately they incorrectly attributed this view to me and my colleagues and criticised our research on deliberate practice. I agree with Tucker's and Collins’ claim about the current failure ‘to discover a candidate gene that can be conclusively linked to performance’.2 However, they incorrectly state that I described this failure ‘as evidence that genetics play only a minimal, or even no role, in the attainment of elite performance’.2 There is a fundamental difference between claiming that there is evidence for the complete absence of genetic influences on elite performance in sport and claiming that no current evidence exists for such genetic influences. From the beginning of my research on expert performance I have made a point of distinguishing between empirical evidence collected on expert performers from beliefs or inferences from research on the general population. In one of my first publications3 on expert performance I reviewed the compelling evidence for the absence of training effects on height and body size. I concluded that in many sports elite athletes are either systematically taller or shorter than the general population and these differences in height were virtually completely determined by genetic factors. In most of my subsequent publications I have simply referred to this review, and …

Quantifying the Extent to Which Successful Juniors and Successful Seniors are Two Disparate Populations: A Systematic Review and Synthesis of Findings

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2023
SPORTS MED

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/.

Altas Capacidades e Vulnerabilidade Social: Panorama das Produções Acadêmicas Espanholas

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2022

As altas capacidades existem em todas as classes sociais. Muitas vezes, os preconceitos sobre as classes desprivilegiadas estagnam as oportunidades, associando a pobreza à baixa capacidade intelectual. Neste sentido, deve haver uma preocupação com as pessoas que apresentam altas capacidades e em condições de desvantagens sociais, pois, lhes são ofertadas menos oportunidades de desenvolvimento. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi buscar na base de dados TESEO (Base de Datos de Tesis Doctorales) teses que abordassem sobre altas capacidades e vulnerabilidade social. A pesquisa foi documental. A partir dos resultados obtidos, fez-se uma análise de dados na perspectiva quali-quantitativa. A busca com o tema altas capacidades e vulnerabilidade social, na citada Base, retornou em zero resultado. Buscou-se, todavia, nessa base de dados, teses que se relacionassem à temática de altas capacidades e foram encontradas 34 teses. Ostemas mais predominantes foram: identificação, professores, aspectos emocionais, talento matemático e criatividade. O tema identificação apareceu em 30% das teses encontradas. Desta forma, foi possível concluir que, apesar das teses explorarem temas diversos, bem específicos e importantes para a área, altas capacidades e vulnerabilidade social ainda não é estudo explorado em teses espanholas. Assinala-se, a importância da identificação e do atendimento às capacidades desse público, pois há uma vulnerabilidade no meio que eles estão inseridos, o que acarreta pré-conceito e pode estigmatizá-los. Cabe assim, aos pesquisadores, não somente na Espanha, um olhar atencioso, pois, essas pessoas necessitam ser reconhecidas em suas necessidades. Espera-se, portanto, que esta pesquisa possa nortear futuros estudos e beneficiar a população mais vulnerável. Palavras-chave: Altas Capacidades; Vulnerabilidade Social; Teses Espanholas.

Beyond the Surface: A Novel In-Game Behavioral Observation Matrix to Assess Video Game Expertise

Thesis

Full-text available

Dec 2023

Sam Leif

In the evolving landscape of gaming, a need for reliable methods to differentiate expertise levels among players has emerged. This study defines experts by their exceptional skills, domain-specific knowledge, and successful application of these attributes in complex situations. Unlike conventional methods that rely on self-reported experience for expertise stratification, this research proposes a shift towards systematic behavioral observation for a more reliable assessment of expertise. The Model of Domain Learning (MDL) facilitates empirical differentiation between novice, competent, and expert categories, allowing for appropriate stratification. Drawing from digital proxemics theory and adapted from the behavioral assessment matrix used by McCreery and team (2011), this research is situated in observable behaviors in digital environments within the constructs of spatial positioning, spatial realization, spatial appropriation, and spatial interactivity as pivotal facets of expertise. The innovative Behavioral Observation Matrix-Proxemics (BOM-Proxemics) was developed to systematically code indicators of expertise expressed via observable in-game behaviors. Through iterative expert review, the BOM-Proxemics underwent development and judgment-qualification stages to identify 16 observable in-game behaviors. The BOM-Proxemics demonstrated high inter-observer agreement and moderate to high internal consistency. Concurrent validity was established with a moderate positive correlation between the BOM-Proxemics scores and in-game ranks. Subsequently, a proportional-odds ordinal logistic regression was conducted to predict in-game rank using BOM-Proxemics scores. The results indicated that the BOM-Proxemics was a significant positive predictor of in-game rank, suggesting that higher scores on the instrument were associated with increased odds of achieving a higher rank in the game. The magnitude of this effect size was substantial, emphasizing the practical significance of the findings and reaffirming its efficacy in assessing expertise. Proportional-odds ordinal logistic regression analysis was conducted for each subscale, revealing that the Spatial Positioning, Spatial Appropriation, and Spatial Interactivity subscales emerged as significant predictors of in-game rank, while Spatial Realization did not. These outcomes underscore the differential impact of proxemics domains on expertise categorization, offering insights into the specific behavioral dimensions that hold significance in assessing video game proficiency. By employing an one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), the investigation uncovered substantial between-group differences based on in-game rank (novice, competent, expert). Notably, a significant variation in BOM-Proxemics scores was observed among these groups, with pairwise comparisons indicating significant differences in mean scores across all three expertise categories. This evidence highlights the discriminatory potential of the BOM-Proxemics in effectively differentiating expertise levels. These outcomes demonstrate the BOM-Proxemics' validity, predictive power, and the varying impacts of different subscales, contributing to its robustness as a tool for evaluating game expertise based on observable behaviors. Further, the results offer insights that could inform the development of effective strategies for skill enhancement and training within the gaming community. The results of this study underscore the value of objective behavioral observation in quantifying gaming expertise and contribute to the discourse surrounding skill measurement within dynamic virtual environments.

A INFLUÊNCIA DO AMBIENTE DE APRENDIZAGEM NO TEMPO DE PRÁTICA DE JOVENS JOGADORES DE FUTEBOL

Article

Full-text available

Dec 2023

Investigar o tempo de prática em diferentes contextos de aprendizagem de jovens jogadores de futebol. Participaram do estudo 45 jogadores divididos em 3 grupos (sub 10, sub 12, sub 14). O tempo de prática foi coletado através de um formulário online, as informações foram obtidas levando em consideração diferentes ambientes de prática, como: sozinho, informal, formal, competição, estruturado (formal e competição) e não estruturado (sozinho e informal). O primeiro contato com o futebol aconteceu no ambiente sozinho. O ambiente de competição apresentou menos horas de prática em todos os grupos. Os grupos sub 10 e sub 14 alcançaram mais horas no ambiente não estruturado em comparação com o estruturado. Concluímos que os jogadores tiveram mais acesso a ambientes não estruturados e menos acesso ao ambiente de competição, logo os(a) treinadores(a) podem utilizar essa informação para fomentar ambientes de prática diversificados e não somente o ambiente formal.

Analysis of Technical–Tactical Actions in High-Level Table Tennis Players: Differences between Sexes

Article

Full-text available

Nov 2023

Table tennis is a sport played at a high speed; therefore, the technical-tactical variables are very important. The objective of the research is to analyze the technical and tactical characteristics of high-level TT players according to sex. A total of 48 high-level players (24 women and 24 men) participated in the present study. The investigation was carried out during two championships. The matches were recorded and subsequently analyzed by notational analysis. The results indicate that women stroke the ball more times during the rallies. In the men's competition, the forehand technique predominates over the backhand technique. The flip was the most used in the male sex (p < 0.05). At the tactical level, more winning actions were performed in the men's competition than in the women's, both with the forehand and backhand game. Men performed more losing technical actions when using the forehand and backhand flips. The pivot footwork tactical action was higher in the men's competition. The analysis of the technical-tactical actions highlighted important differences between the sexes. The predominant losing techniques among players are forehand and backhand flip. Female players use more defensive strokes, while male players use more offensive strokes, in particular the flip technique. The potential biomechanical progress of the male player characterized by a larger wingspan biotype could facilitate a better technical-tactical performance. The results obtained are of interest to improve the performance of the players as they must train at a technical-tactical level differently depending on the sex and style of play.

O perfil antropométrico pode influenciar no desempenho de ciclistas mulheres de elite: um estudo de corte transversal

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2023

Objetivo: analisar a relação entre o perfil antropométrico e o desempenho em provas de ciclismo de estrada de atletas de elite do sexo feminino. Metodologia: Foram avaliadas 22 ciclistas divididas em dois grupos: ciclistas de nível nacional (GN; n = 12) e cliclistas de nível estadual (GE; n = 10). O desempenho das atletas do GN foi obtido no Campeonato Brasileiro e do GE nos Jogos Abertos do Paraná, ambos em 2019. A comparação das medidas antropométricas entre grupos foi calculada por meio do teste t two-tailed de Student não pareado. A relação entre as variáveis intragrupo foi analisada através do teste de correlação de Pearson. Resultados e Discussão: Foi identificada diferença significativa entre os grupos no valor da massa óssea (GN = 6,70 ± 0,67 kg; GE = 7,29 ± 0,53 kg; p = 0,036). Verificou-se também: correlação positiva e moderada entre percentual de gordura e desempenho esportivo no GN nas provas Estrada (r=0,33) e contrarrelógio individual (CRI) (r= 0,36); Correlação negativa e forte no GN entre idade e desempenho esportivo nas provas Estrada (r= -0,53) e CRI (r= -0,58); Correlação negativa e moderada no GN entre Massa Muscular e Desempenho esportivo na prova Estrada (r= -0,38); Correlação negativa e forte no GN entre Massa Muscular e Desempenho esportivo na prova CRI. Conclusão: Conclui-se que o desempenho esportivo das atletas de elite pode ser alcançado com perfis antropométricos e etários distintos, e evidenciam que o rendimento não depende exclusivamente de uma única variável.

Expertise Development in the Workplace Through Deliberate Practice and Progressive Problem Solving: Insights from Business-to-Business Sales Departments

Article

Full-text available

Sep 2022

Expertise is featured by continued high performance in a particular domain. Expertise research has primarily focused on absolute expertise in structured domains such as chess and emphasized the significance of deliberate practice for expertise development. We investigated the development of relative expertise in commercial domains as part of ill-structured domains. Due to the ill-structuredness and acknowledging the use of the term expert in organizational practice, we developed a taxonomy to distinguish between four types of experts in the broader sense (relative expert, managerial relative expert, evolved specialist, and native specialist). Eighteen peer-nominated individuals from business-to-business sales departments from four German organizations participated in our interview study. A content analysis was applied using both deductive and inductive categorizations. The interview data clearly corresponds to the concept of progressive problem solving rather than to the concept of deliberate practice. Almost all our respondents referred to either “being thrown in at the deep end” by others (assigned complex tasks) or “jumping in at the deep end” of one’s own accord (self- selected complex tasks). However, the interview partners described features of deliberate practice for novices. In this very early stage of expertise development, more experienced colleagues structure parts of the ill-structured domain and enable deliberate practice while for advanced beginners and later stages expert development rather resembles progressive problem solving. Our results provide implications on how to foster expertise development in ill-structured domains. Possible limitations arise from the small sample, the peer-nomination process, and the retrospective nature of interview data.

Collagen Gene Polymorphisms Previously Associated with Resistance to Soft-Tissue Injury Are More Common in Competitive Runners Than Nonathletes

Article

Mar 2022
J STRENGTH COND RES

Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of collagen genes have been associated with soft- tissue injury and running performance. However, their combined contribution to running performance is unknown. We investigated the association of two collagen gene SNPs with athlete status and performance in 1429 Caucasian participants, including 597 competitive runners (354 men, 243 women) and 832 non-athletes (490 men, 342 women). Genotyping for COL1A1 rs1800012 (C>A) and COL5A1 rs12722 (C>T) SNPs was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. The numbers of ‘injury-resistant’ alleles from each SNP, based on previous literature (rs1800012 A allele, rs12722 C allele), were combined as an injury- resistance score (RScore, 0 to 4; higher scores indicate injury-resistance). Genotype frequencies, individually and combined as RScore, were compared between cohorts and investigated for associations with performance via official race times. Runners had 1.34 times greater odds of being rs12722 CC homozygotes than non-athletes (19.7% vs. 15.5%, P=0.020) with no difference in rs1800012 genotype distribution (P=0.659). Fewer runners had RScore 0 (18.5% vs. 24.7%) and more had RScore 4 (0.6% vs. 0.3%) than non-athletes (P<0.001). Competitive performance was not associated with COL1A1 genotype (P=0.933), COL5A1 genotype (P=0.613) or RScore (P=0.477). Whilst not associated directly with running performance amongst competitive runners, a higher combined frequency of injury-resistant COL1A1 rs1800012 A and COL5A1 rs12722 C alleles in competitive runners than non-athletes suggests these SNPs may be advantageous via a mechanism that supports, but does not directly enhance, running performance.

Ankle Proprioception in Male and Female Surfers and the Implications of Motor Experience and Lower-Body Strength

Article

Oct 2021

Dowse, RA, Secomb, JL, Bruton, M, Parsonage, J, Ferrier, B, Waddington, G, and Nimphius, S. Ankle proprioception in male and female surfers and the implications of motor experience and lower-body strength. J Strength Cond Res 36(12): 3497-3504, 2022-The primary objectives were to evaluate if the active movement extent discrimination apparatus (AMEDA) condition (i.e., front foot and back foot plantarflexion, dorsiflexion, inversion, and eversion) and the level of competition explained ankle movement discrimination scores and, thereafter, examined the contribution of surf experience, physical capacity, and ability to proprioception. It was also considered important to re-evaluate the surf experience, anthropometric characteristics, physical capacities, and abilities of male and female surfers. Twenty-six male ( n = 12, surf experience = 18 ± 8 years) and female surfers ( n = 14, surf experience = 9 ± 6 years) completed a pre-exercise medical questionnaire, anthropometric assessment, 8 AMEDA assessments, countermovement jump, squat jump, and isometric midthigh pull assessment. The AMEDA condition and level of competition did not have a statistically significant main effect on ankle movement discrimination scores; however, the effect of the gender/sex was significant ( p = 0.044). Surf experience ( p = 0.029) and lower-body isometric strength ( p = 0.029) had a statistically significant but small main effect on ankle movement discrimination scores. The results also confirmed that there were significant differences in surf experience, anthropometric characteristics, physical capacity, and jumping ability between male and female surfers. As surf experience and physical capacity were only able to explain a small magnitude of ankle movement discrimination scores, it is suggested that ankle proprioception in surfers may be related to both the volume and quality of the motor experience attained, which may be augmented by environmental and sociocultural factors.

The Benefits of Resistance Training with and Without Weightlifting for Athletic Performance in Adolescent Males

Thesis

Full-text available

Jan 2019

Andrew Pichardo

Children and adolescents should engage in a variety of activities to develop muscular strength and motor skill performance in tasks such as running, jumping, and throwing. Resistance training and weightlifting are safe and effective methods to improve the athleticism of youth males. The overarching research question of this thesis was “is resistance training more beneficial with or without weightlifting for adolescent athletes?” Chapter 1 serves to provide background information, a rationale for the research, the purpose and significance of the thesis, and the thesis structure. Chapter 2 is a narrative review of existing models of youth development. These existing models highlight the trainability of all fitness components in youth through common resistance training methods, such as traditional strength training, plyometrics, and weightlifting. Chapter 3 provides an applied example of how practitioners can effectively implement these resistance training methods within secondary school curriculum. Specifically, recommendations regarding periodization and delivering the program are given to assist physical education teachers and coaches working with youth athletes. Chapter 4 examined the influence of maturity offset, strength, and movement competency on sprinting, jumping, and upper body power. Notably, relative strength was significantly correlated to all motor skill tasks (r = 0.28-0.61), reinforcing the idea that practitioners should prioritize strength when working with adolescents. Chapter 5 investigated how motor skills develop after an academic year of combined resistance training (CRT) or combined resistance training with weightlifting (CRT&WL) (28 total training weeks). There were no differences between improvements in various motor skills when comparing both groups. The time course of adaptation was similar between groups but was variable dependent. Movement competency and strength improved more during the first half of the training program, while sprint, jump, and throw performance improved more in the second half of the training program. This suggests youth need higher training intensities to stimulate expression of their recently developed strength into other motor skills. Chapter 6 examined how the CRT and CRT&WL training programs affect lower-extremity injury risk factors and resistance training skill. The CRT made significant improvements in tuck jump performance, whereas both training groups made significant improvements in resistance training skill after the year. Chapter 7 includes an overall summary, which suggests that both CRT and CRT&WL are effective for improving the athleticism of adolescent males.

What Makes a Champion? Early Multidisciplinary Practice, Not Early Specialization, Predicts World-Class Performance

Article

Jul 2021

What explains the acquisition of exceptional human performance? Does a focus on intensive specialized practice facilitate excellence, or is a multidisciplinary practice background better? We investigated this question in sports. Our meta-analysis involved 51 international study reports with 477 effect sizes from 6,096 athletes, including 772 of the world’s top performers. Predictor variables included starting age, age of reaching defined performance milestones, and amounts of coach-led practice and youth-led play (e.g., pickup games) in the athlete’s respective main sport and in other sports. Analyses revealed that (a) adult world-class athletes engaged in more childhood/adolescent multisport practice, started their main sport later, accumulated less main-sport practice, and initially progressed more slowly than did national-class athletes; (b) higher performing youth athletes started playing their main sport earlier, engaged in more main-sport practice but less other-sports practice, and had faster initial progress than did lower performing youth athletes; and (c) youth-led play in any sport had negligible effects on both youth and adult performance. We illustrate parallels from science: Nobel laureates had multidisciplinary study/working experience and slower early progress than did national-level award winners. The findings suggest that variable, multidisciplinary practice experiences are associated with gradual initial discipline-specific progress but greater sustainability of long-term development of excellence.

Is the Deliberate Practice View Defensible? A Review of Evidence and Discussion of Issues

Article

Full-text available

Aug 2020

The question of what explains individual differences in expertise within complex domains such as music, games, sports, science, and medicine is currently a major topic of interest in a diverse range of fields, including psychology, education, and sports science, to name just a few. Ericsson and colleagues’ deliberate practice view is a highly influential perspective in the literature on expertise and expert performance—but is it viable as a testable scientific theory? Here, reviewing more than 25 years of Ericsson and colleagues’ writings, we document critical inconsistencies in the definition of deliberate practice, along with apparent shifts in the standard for evidence concerning deliberate practice. We also consider the impact of these issues on progress in the field of expertise, focusing on the empirical testability and falsifiability of the deliberate practice view. We then discuss a multifactorial perspective on expertise, and how open science practices can accelerate progress in research guided by this perspective.

Specializing When It Counts: Comparing the Dose–Time Effect of Distance Variety between Swimming and Track Running

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2024

Objective: To conduct a longitudinal retrospective analysis, explore the relationship between success at peak performance age and the number of different race distances athletes competed in each year (within-sport distance variety), and compare the dose-time effect of this distance variety throughout the development process between male swimmers and track runners. Methodology: Male swimmers (n = 6033) and track runners (n = 19,278) still competing at peak performance age were ranked, and the number of different race distances was extracted retrospectively for each year until early junior age (13-14-year-old category) from the databases of the European Aquatics and World Athletics federations. Firstly, correlation analysis determined the relationship between ranking at peak performance age and distance variety. Secondly, Poisson distribution provided the probability and dose-time effect of distance variety for becoming an international-class athlete at peak performance age. Results: Generally, correlation analysis revealed low coefficients (r ≤ 0.22) but significant effects (p < 0.001) for larger distance variety and success at peak performance age. Poisson distribution revealed the highest probability of becoming an international-class swimmer when competing in 2-4 race distances at junior age, depending on the primary race distance. The dose-time effect indicated a gradual reduction in the number of race distances as athletes approached peak performance age, narrowing down to 1-2, 2-3, and 3-4 distances for sprint, middle-, and long-distance races, respectively. Track runners exhibited a lower distance variety than swimmers, with a consistent optimum of 1-2 race distances across the age groups. Conclusions: The present findings including data of the most combined race distances for each primary race distance and a comparison between swimming and track running provide new background information to challenge traditional training regimes and help establish new strategies for long-term athlete development.

Talent development in female soccer: Developmental activities of professional players in England Talent development in female soccer: Developmental activities of professional players in England

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2024
J SPORT SCI

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. ARTICLE HISTORY

The Effect Specialization and Diversification Involvement on Learning of Sports Skills According To Deliberate Practice and Deliberate Play

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2016

Mahdi Fahimi

The developmental activities of women's professional pathway cricketers

Article

Full-text available

May 2024
J SPORT SCI

Investigating the effect of grit trait on performance and success in Hungarian athlete's sample

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2024

Background The aim of the present study is to translate the Grit questionnaire into Hungarian and validate specifically within the context of sports. The second goal is to assess the questionnaire in Hungarian as a pilot study in the athlete population and to compare the grit trait with the coaches’ athlete evaluation. Methods Two hundred and sixty nine athletes, including 40 national team players, took part in the study, with an average age of 18.17 years (SD = 5.51). For the preliminary assessment, the Cloninger Temperament and Character Questionnaire (TCI-RH) was used; the coaches’ athlete evaluation was modeled on a talent map. Results The confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the fit of the two-factor structure, and the internal reliability of the questionnaire scales also proved to be adequate. 2. There is no relationship between adolescents’ perceived grit and coach ratings. 3. The national team players achieved a higher grit score. Conclusion Based on the psychometric indicators, the validity and reliability of the questionnaire proved to be adequate. Therefore, it is applicable and useful for psychological practitioners and researchers in the Hungarian population within the context of sports.

Quantifying the Extent to Which Junior Performance Predicts Senior Performance in Olympic Sports: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Article

Full-text available

Sep 2023
SPORTS MED

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 r¯

\overline{r }

= 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 r¯

\overline{{r} }

ranging from r¯

\overline{{r} }

= − 0.052 to r¯

\overline{{r} }

= 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/.

Static and dynamic resting-state brain activity patterns of table tennis players in 7-Tesla MRI

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2023

Table tennis involves quick and accurate motor responses during training and competition. Multiple studies have reported considerably faster visuomotor responses and expertise-related intrinsic brain activity changes among table tennis players compared with matched controls. However, the underlying neural mechanisms remain unclear. Herein, we performed static and dynamic resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) analyses of 20 table tennis players and 21 control subjects using 7T ultra-high field imaging. We calculated the static and dynamic amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) of the two groups. The results revealed that table tennis players exhibited decreased static ALFF in the left inferior temporal gyrus (lITG) compared with the control group. Voxel-wised static functional connectivity (sFC) and dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) analyses using lITG as the seed region afforded complementary and overlapping results. The table tennis players exhibited decreased sFC in the right middle temporal gyrus and left inferior parietal gyrus. Conversely, they displayed increased dFC from the lITG to prefrontal cortex, particularly the left middle frontal gyrus, left superior frontal gyrus-medial, and left superior frontal gyrus-dorsolateral. These findings suggest that table tennis players demonstrate altered visuomotor transformation and executive function pathways. Both pathways involve the lITG, which is a vital node in the ventral visual stream. These static and dynamic analyses provide complementary and overlapping results, which may help us better understand the neural mechanisms underlying the changes in intrinsic brain activity and network organization induced by long-term table tennis skill training.

The developmental and professional activities of female international soccer players from five high-performing nations

Chapter

Mar 2023

Holding open spaces to explore beyond: Toward a different conceptualization of specialization in high-performance sport

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2023

This conceptual analysis aims to challenge the state of high-performance sport by questioning the concept of specialization. To start, we offer a brief, but critical overview of what specialization currently entails. Then, shifting the paradigm, we suggest an expansion rather than a reduction of developmental possibilities once an athlete reaches the “top”. Specifically, rather than athletes conforming to national standards imposed by governing bodies about what it means to be “elite”, we suggest sport systems consider a person-environment fit approach to support ongoing development. Drawing on an ecological dynamics rationale and various socio-cultural theories, we explore how concepts such as affordances and perspectives can be harnessed to create a better “fit” between athletes’ action capabilities and the opportunities within their broader environment. Our conception of specialization requires moving away from a definition of success based on the accumulation of medals, toward one that accounts for the exploration and achievement of the possible. We argue that a person-environment fit welcomes diversity, so long as it sustains the person’s health, wellbeing, and performance. This, it is suggested, is about collectively holding open spaces for each other to explore beyond the constraints of high-performance sport, encouraging all to carry on their lives in directions meaningfully impactful for them. We conclude this conceptual analysis with a brief case example demonstrating what our theorizing could look like in practice.

Embodied Creativity and Technology: A Complex Relationship

Chapter

Jan 2023

Cognitive/creative embodiment is a memory system that encodes information about physical competencies, contextual perceptions, and motor responses to internal and external situations. Elite athletes and performers cultivate highly refined embodied awareness that directly influences creative expression. Embodied creativity draws upon sensorimotor, relational, emotional, and aesthetic perceptions and actions. Technology is a powerful tool that is integrated into the training and promotion of these populations. Embodied creativity and embodied cognition are dependent on real-time physical engagement; however, physical engagement continues to rapidly change in response to technological advancements. During the recent COVID 19 pandemic, the interface of technology and elite performance has revealed unique possibilities as well as profound limitations. Embodiment, creativity and their interaction with technology are complex and dynamic processes. In order to navigate the changes that result from these interacting components (embodiment, learning, creativity, technology) strong adaptive skills are necessary; these challenges will equally require a strong embodied and creative self that can traverse a complex world.KeywordsCreativityEmbodimentPandemicPerforming artsSportTechnology

Sports Coaches’ Athlete Talent Mindset and Views Regarding Talent Identification in Norway

Article

Full-text available

Dec 2022

We investigated coaches’ mindsets of athletic talent as conceptualised by Dweck (athlete talent mindset, A-TM) along with the athlete age at which they believe talent can be identified. We also looked at the age of talent identification in coaches of different A-TM. Using data collected as part of a survey conducted in Norway, the 3,830 participating coaches were men and women between 16 and 83 years of age. Overall, the coaches held a predominantly growth A-TM. However, older coaches, those not born in Norway, and coaches in athletics, gymnastics, and football were found to have a more fixed A-TM. Regarding their views about talent identification age, one fifth of the coaches believe that talent can be seen before 12 years of age, with football, gymnastics, and swimming coaches and those not born in Norway being more prone to detect talent at younger ages. Analyses also showed that the more fixed A-TM coaches believed that they could identify talented athletes at younger ages; however, not all of them reported such talent identification age views. These findings indicate that coaches’ A-TM and views regarding talent identification operate as two separate beliefs, which may be useful for understanding coaches’ early talent identification and development approaches.

Mastery learning and deliberate practice: Do simulationists need clarification?

Article

Dec 2022
Simulat Gaming

Timothy C. Clapper

Background When the concepts of mastery learning and deliberate practice are applied in accordance with their intended meaning, they can be used to create robust learning opportunities that can ensure that more learners achieve and maintain higher standards of competency. With the rapid expansion of healthcare simulation over the past 10–15 years, these concepts are not always described accurately in the literature, leaving those considering the use of these practices vulnerable to inaccurate interpretation and application. Aim The purpose of this article is to provide a much-needed clarification of mastery learning and deliberate practice for those conducting simulation-based education. This clarification includes defining background information on these two important concepts and suggestions for application. Conclusion An accurate understanding of mastery learning and deliberate practice can ensure that going forward, we properly design interventions, systems, and research protocols that can inform us about what works best for our learners.

Identification of high-probability medal-winning events for Malaysian swimmers through analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats

Article

Aug 2022

Introduction The achievement of an Olympic gold medal in 2016 by a Southeast Asian (SEA) swimmer invigorated Malaysian swim authorities to increase investment in the sport. However, Malaysian swimming performance declined during the 2019 SEA Games, intensifying the urgency to identify events that have the highest potential for Malaysian swimmers to achieve a podium finish by comparing international swimming records of previous SEA (SG), Asian (AG) and Commonwealth (CG) games, and also world records with those recorded during the 2021 Malaysia Open which involved swimmers from the Malaysian national team. Methods Primary data from the Malaysia Open were converted into swim points according to FINA's formula and compared with SG, AG, CG and world records dated up to 25 August 2021 (including records set during the Tokyo Olympics) using a spreadsheet programme. Results Analyses ( n = 80 male and 79 female records) revealed that: (i) Malaysian male swimmers were strongest in the middle-distance freestyle and backstroke events, while female swimmers were best in the short- and middle-distance breaststroke events; (ii) overall Malaysian swimmers' swim points were 30 years behind current world standards; (iii) current male and female national team swimmers have a possibility of undergoing successful participation experience in 30% and 60% of international-level events, respectively and (iv) swimmers from Singapore and Vietnam won most of the medals offered at SG, while China, Japan and South Korea are the main winners at AG. Conclusion Malaysian swim authorities should focus on developing swimmers for endurance events and events that do not require an endowment of significant physical size, and on training female swim talent to win at international-level swim competitions. In addition, new training technology needs to be incorporated as this has been found to be indispensable.

What shapes cross-border merger and acquisition negotiations in the automotive industry?

Thesis

Full-text available

Jun 2021

Yadvinder Rana

Predictors of Junior Versus Senior Elite Performance are Opposite: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Participation Patterns

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2022
SPORTS MED

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|<

\bar{d }

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|<

\bar{d }

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.

Exploring English Youth Academy Footballers’ Experiences through Role Strain Theory

Article

Full-text available

Nov 2021

Throughout adolescence and early adulthood, talented athletes must dedicate increasing personal resources to their sport. Recent empirical research found that applying Role Strain Theory (RST) was useful to contextualize the combined experiences of international junior golfers, acrobats, gymnasts, and Australian rules footballers and how they coped with the competing role demands of sport and education. Findings demonstrated how role strain (RS) severity and regularity fluctuated during their youth careers but subsided during the later teenage years. Surprisingly, limited research exploring how youth academy footballers simultaneously combine sport, education, and social demands exists. This study determined the extent to which RS was experienced by six high performing male youth footballers who each had between four and five consecutive years’ experience within the foundation and youth development stage squads at an English professional football academy. Implications for most effectively supporting elite-level youth players during crucial developmental and transitional career stages are provided.

Describing the spine surgery learning curve during the first two years of independent practice

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2021
MEDICINE

Retrospective cohort study To characterize the learning curve of a spine surgeon during the first 2 years of independent practice by comparing to an experienced colleague. To stratify learning curves based on procedure to evaluate the effect of experience on surgical complexity. The learning curve for spine surgery is difficult to quantify, but is useful information for hospital administrators/surgical programs/new graduates, so appropriate expectations and accommodations are considered. Data from a retrospective cohort (2014–2016) were analyzed at a quaternary academic institution servicing a geographically-isolated, mostly rural area. Procedures included anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, posterior cervical decompression and stabilization, single and 2-level posterior lumbar interbody fusion, lumbar discectomy, and laminectomy. Data related to patient demographics, after-hours surgery, and revision surgery were collected. Operative time was the primary outcome measure, with secondary measures including cerebrospinal fluid leak and early re-operation. Time periods were stratified into 6 month quarters (quarter [Q] 1–Q4), with STATA software used for statistical analysis. There were 626 patients meeting inclusion criteria. The senior surgeon had similar operative times throughout the study. The new surgeon demonstrated a decrease in operative time from Q1 to Q4 (158 minutes–119 minutes, P < .05); however, the mean operative time was shorter for the senior surgeon at 2 years (91 minutes, P < .05). The senior surgeon performed more revision surgeries (odds ratio [OR] 2.5 [95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7–3.6]; P < .001). Posterior interbody fusion times remained longer for the new surgeon, while laminectomy surgery was similar to the senior surgeon by 2 years. There were no differences in rates of cerebrospinal fluid leak (OR 1.2 [95% CI 0.6–2.5]; P > .05), nor reoperation (OR 1.16 [95% CI 0.7–1.9]; P > .05) between surgeons. A significant learning curve exists starting spine practice and likely extends beyond the first 2 years for elective operations.

The meta-analyses of deliberate practice underestimate the effect size because they neglect the core characteristic of individualization — an analysis and empirical evidence

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2021
CURR PSYCHOL

Influential meta-analyses have concluded that only a small to medium proportion of variance in performance can be explained by deliberate practice. We argue that the authors have neglected the most important characteristic of deliberate practice: individualization of practice. Many of the analyzed effect sizes derived from measures that did not assess individualized practice and, therefore, should not have been included in meta-analyses of deliberate practice. We present empirical evidence which suggests that the level of individualization and quality of practice (indicated by didactic educational capital) substantially influences the predictive strength of practice measures. In our study of 178 chess players, we found that at a high level of individualization and quality of practice, the effect size of structured practice was more than three times higher than that found at the average level. Our theoretical analysis, along with empirical results, support the claim that the explanatory power of deliberate practice has been considerably underestimated in the meta-analyses. The question of how important deliberate practice is for individual differences in performance remains an open question.

Advanced Learning

Book

Full-text available

Sep 2021

This issue on advanced learning focuses on the educational and developmental needs of advanced learners as they develop towards excellence. We speculated that those needs could be observed in at least three ways. The first is that the advanced learner requires educational interventions that are more closely aligned to the “deliberate practice” approach delineated by Ericsson et al. (1993). Ericsson et al. (1993) identified that the number of hours of deliberate practice differentiated among the performance levels of musicians. Deliberate practice can be described as individualised instruction whereby a teacher or coach identifies the goals and activities that need to be adopted by an individual during practice to improve their performance. A second assumption is that advanced learners do not attain high levels of performance in the absence of environmental factors but the factors that support the talent developmental trajectory of advanced learners will not be the same as those that support them at earlier stages. The expertise reversal effect, for example, suggests that the instructional activities designed for novices may have a detrimental effect on more advanced learners Kalyuga (2007). The third premise is the need for more tailored and well-designed learning resources to support talent development. Such learning resources include highly-specialised learning materials and curricula, expert teachers and coaches, mentors, and so on, which are purposefully designed to meet the individual’s specific needs at a specific point in the talent development process. Again, this echoes the deliberate practice approach described earlier.

Developmental activities of professional male British rugby-league players versus controls

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2021

Purpose: Many rugby league clubs rely on developing youth athletes into experts in adulthood. One factor that contributes to the attainment of expertise is the activities that athletes engage in across their development. Therefore, the developmental activities of professional male British rugby league players were compared to lesser-skilled players. Methods: Players who had progressed from youth academies to professional status, those who were released from youth academies, and those who had only played recreationally completed the Participation History Questionnaire. Results: During childhood, professional players accumulated significantly greater amounts of play compared to ex-academy and recreational players, as well as greater coach-led practice compared to ex-academy . During early adolescence, this pattern continued, whereas in late adolescence the professional and ex-academy players accumulated significantly greater amounts of coach-led practice compared to their recreational counterparts. Professional players accumulated more hours in rugby league up to 18 years of age compared to ex-academy players, with both groups accumulating more hours than recreational . The number of other sports engaged in was relatively low across development and did not discriminate between performance levels. Conclusion: Findings from this study may inform future practice of talent development systems within rugby league in Britain.

Initial fitness, maturity status, and total training explain small and inconsistent proportions of the variance in physical development of adolescent footballers across one season

Article

Mar 2021
Res Sports Med

To investigate how initial fitness, maturity status, and training time explain changes in physical performance across one season. Eighty-eight adolescent male footballers, representing four age categories (Under 15 [n = 12], Under 14 [n = 21], Under 13 [n = 25], Under 12 [n = 30]), were tested using physical performance tests (20 m sprint, change of direction, squat jump and yo-yo intermittent recovery test level 1 [YYIRTL1]) and maturity offset at the season start (Test 1) and end (Test 2). Multiple regression determined the proportion of variance in test score changes, explained by three predictor variables: initial fitness (i.e., Test 1), maturity offset change, and training time. With combined categories, predictor variables explained 0.051 to 0.297 of the variance in physical performance score changes. Analysing age categories separately, predictor variables explained 0.047 to 0.407 (20 m sprint), 0.202 to 0.626 (change of direction), 0.336 to 0.502 (squat jump), and 0.196 to 0.777 (YYIRTL1) of variance in test score changes. Of the limited differences in relative predictor contribution, Test 1 was the strongest predictor of test score change. Initial fitness, maturity status change, and training time explain small and inconsistent proportions of variance in adolescent footballers' physical development across one season.

Variation in competition performance, number of races, and age: Long-term athlete development in elite female swimmers

Article

Full-text available

Nov 2020
PLOS ONE

While talent development and the contributing factors to success are hardly discussed among the experts in the field, the aim of the study was to investigate annual variation in competition performance (AVCP), number of races per year, and age, as potential success factors for international swimming competitions. Data from 40’277 long-course races, performed by all individual female starters (n = 253) at the 2018 European Swimming Championships (2018EC) for all 10 years prior to these championships, were analyzed. Relationships between 2018EC ranking and potential success factors, i.e., AVCP, number of races per year, and age, were determined using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression analysis. While AVCP was not related to ranking, higher ranked swimmers at the 2018EC swam more races during each of the ten years prior to the championships (P < 0.001). Additionally, older athletes were more successful (r = -0.42, P < 0.001). The regression model explained highly significant proportions (P < 0.001) and 43%, 34%, 35%, 49% of total variance in the 2018EC ranking for 50m, 100m, 200m, and 400m races, respectively. As number of races per year (β = -0.29 –-0.40) had a significant effect on ranking of 50-400m races, and age (β = -0.40 –-0.61) showed a significant effect on ranking over all race distances, number of races per year and age may serve as success factors for international swimming competitions. The larger number of races swum by higher ranked female swimmers may have aided long-term athlete development regarding technical, physiological, and mental skill acquisitions. As older athletes were more successful, female swimmers under the age of peak performance, who did not reach semi-finals or finals, may increase their chances of success in following championships with increased experience.

The developmental and professional activities of female international soccer players from five high-performing nations

Article

Jul 2020

We study the developmental and professional activities engaged in by 86 female adult soccer players from the senior national teams of Australia, Canada, England, Sweden, and the United States of America. Players completed the Participation History Questionnaire (PHQ) to elicit the amount and type of activities engaged in across their developmental and professional years, including milestones, soccer-specific activity and engagement in other sport activity. Greater specialisation than diversification characterised their childhood developmental activities, including all players starting in soccer in childhood and accumulating more hours in soccer activity than other sports during this period. However, interindividual variation further characterised these childhood activities, with a proportion of players diversifying into other sports and/or soccer play to a greater or lesser degree during childhood when compared to the other players. The amount of coach-led soccer practice increased for all players across their development culminating in an average of 15–16 h/wk across a 40-week season in early adulthood. In contrast, the amount of engagement in other sports and soccer peer-led play varied between players but generally decreased across adolescence to negligible amounts in late adolescence. Findings are commensurate with the deliberate practice framework and early engagement.

Standardizing education in interventional pulmonology in the midst of technological change

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2020

Interventional pulmonology (IP) is a maturing subspecialty of pulmonary medicine. The robust innovation in technology demands standardization in IP training with both disease and technology driven training. Simulation based training should be considered a part of IP training as seen in other procedural and surgical subspecialties. Procedure volume is a component of training; however, this does not guarantee or translate into competency for learners. Basic competency skills can be assessed using standardized well validated assessment tools designed for various IP procedures including flexible bronchoscopy, endobronchial ultrasound guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS TBNA), rigid bronchoscopy and chest tube placement; however, further work is needed to validate tools in all procedures as new technologies are introduced beyond fellowship training. Currently there are at least 39 IP fellowship programs in the United States (US) and Canada which has led to improved training by accreditation of programs who meet rigorous requirements of standardized curriculum and procedural volume. The challenge is to be innovative in how we teach globally with intention and how to best integrate new evolving technology training for those not only during fellowship training but also beyond fellowship training.

The role of structured training in learning microsurgery: a narrative review

Article

Full-text available

Nov 2024

Background and introduction. Microsurgery has transformed reconstructive surgery, offering superior aesthetic and functional outcomes, particularly in complex cases. Mastery of microsurgery is challenging due to the intricate nature of procedures and the precision required, leading to a steep learning curve. Various training methods, including traditional animal models and emerging synthetic alternatives, have been developed to enhance skill acquisition. Structured training programs, supported by national and international societies, are crucial for improving competency, with emphasis on both objective and subjective measures of performance. Material and methods. This review utilized the PubMed database to analyze literature on microsurgery training, employing search terms like “Microsurgery” AND “training resident”. After systematic filtering, 15 relevant articles were included, encompassing studies evaluating improvements in anastomosis time and patency rates, along with resident confidence. Results. Key findings included a 2022 study revealing a 41% patency rate among 1.792 anastomoses performed by residents after a 7-month training course with Wistar rats. Training duration significantly influenced performance. A virtual training program in low-resource settings demonstrated improved confidence in microsurgical skills, although statistical significance was limited by sample size. An Italian study indicated that structured long-term training led to significant improvements in Global Rating Scale (GRS) scores and reduced procedure times. Discussion and conclusions. The findings emphasize the effectiveness of structured, hands-on training in enhancing microsurgical skills. While remote training offers valuable introductory knowledge, in-person practice remains essential for developing the precision required in microsurgery. An integrated training approach combining both methods could improve global access to microsurgical education, equipping practitioners with necessary skills for success in the field. Overall, structured training enhances residents’ confidence and technical competence.

Mental preparation in runners: gender differences, competition levels, and psychological training effects on performance

Article

Full-text available

Nov 2024

Introduction: The present study aimed to investigate the mental and sports psychological preparation, as well as tactical preparation, of distance runners for competition. We examined whether there are differences based on gender, competition level and various race disciplines, as well as how mental preparation influences sports skills applicable in different competitive situations. Methods: The sample consisted of 201 distance runners who completed the Sports Mental Training Questionnaire (SMTQ) alongside assessments of their sports psychology and race tactics. Results: The results indicated that neither gender, competition level, nor race discipline had a significant impact on mental preparedness. However, women demonstrated notably higher scores in the use of self-talk as a mental technique. Additionally, participants who received training in sports psychology scored significantly higher across several mental skills, as well as on the overall mental preparedness score. Discussion: This article validates the SMTQ and its association with mental readiness, as confirmatory factor analysis demonstrates adequate validity. Additionally, mental preparation was found to enhance performance and wellbeing among distance runners. Further research is needed to explore the impact of group interventions to broaden the reach of mental training programs.

Training Model for Extended Career Athletes: A Narrative Review

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2024

Toni Caparros

Context Today’s elite and professional sports tend to feature older, more seasoned athletes, who have longer sporting careers. As advancing age can potentially limit peak performance, balancing training load is necessary to maintain an optimal state of performance and extend their sports career. Objective To describe an appropriate training model for extended career athletes. Data Sources Medline (PubMed), SPORTDiscus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Study Selection A search of the literature between January 1, 2015 and November 22, 2023 was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Study Design Narrative review. Level of Evidence Level 4. Data Extraction Data were extracted from studies related to the management of training and performance of athletes with extended and long careers. Results A total of 21 articles related to extended careers were found. Key themes from these papers included: expertise, biological maturation, and specificity; epidemiology and health; athlete monitoring; strength training; load management and detraining; success management. Conclusion A training model for extended career athletes should balance the deleterious effects of age with the athletes’ knowledge of, and expertise within, the sport. Designing specific training that accommodates previous injuries, training load intolerances, and caters for quality of life after retirement should be key considerations. Load management strategies for athletes with extended careers should include strength training adaptations to minimize pain, load-response monitoring, a broad range of movement, recovery and intensity activities, and the avoidance of large training load peaks and periods of inactivity.

Understanding the Person-specific Predictors of Athlete Performance: Ubicomp/ISWC 2024 Doctoral Colloquium

Conference Paper

Oct 2024

11. Memory for Music: Research and Practice for Performers

Chapter

Full-text available

Jun 2024

Jane Ginsborg

Psychology of Music is a flourishing area of research in the Western Balkans. However, much of its findings and insights have remained relatively unknown outside the region. Psychological Perspectives on Musical Experiences and Skills features recent research from the Western Balkans, foregrounding its specific topics, methods, and influences, and bringing it into productive conversation with complementary research from Western Europe and further afield. The essays in this collection investigate the psychology of listening and performance and their relevance to music practice. Employing a range of research methodologies, they address divergent themes, from a cross-cultural understanding of aesthetic experiences and innovations to attract new audiences, to developmental perspectives on musical growth and the challenges of mastering performance skills. Authors reflect independently and collaboratively on how these psychological processes are shaped by the different traditions and geopolitical conditions inside and outside the Western Balkans. The result is a volume that emphasizes how musical experiences and practices happen not in isolation but in socio-cultural environments that contribute to their definition. This work will appeal to musicians, music educators, students, researchers, and psychologists with an interest in the psychology of music and exemplify ways forward in decolonizing academia.

The Effect of Sports Participation Method with Emphasis on Development Sport Skills in Children; the Deliberate Practice or Deliberate Play?

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2021

Mahdi Fahimi

The aim of study was finding the most efficient training with emphasis on developing sport skills. The 120 boys 10-12 years randomly were divided into four groups of volleyball, soccer, basketball deliberate practice and deliberate play. The results showed that compared four groups, deliberate play had improved volleyball, soccer and Basketball skills. volleyball and soccer deliberate practice can be improved soccer dribble skill and control dribble and defensive movement basketball skills. basketball deliberate practice did not improve the others soccer and volleyball skills. The results showed that deliberate play as deliberate exercise can cause the development of athletic skills by developing the general cognitive and physiological skills and providing a rich environment for children and partly replaced the deliberate practice.

COMO TREINADORES DE ESPORTES PARA PESSOAS COM DEFICIÊNCIA MONITORAM A CARGA DE TREINAMENTO?

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2023

Nosso objetivo foi investigar quais ferramentas de monitoramento da carga de treinamento são utilizadas por treinadores de esportes para pessoas com deficiência. Participaram 17 treinadores de diferentes modalidades esportivas que responderam a um questionário online contendo questões relacionadas a formação dos participantes, conceitos gerais e sistemas de monitoramento da carga de treinamento. A maioria dos treinadores (91,7%) dos treinadores indicou que ajusta a carga de treinamento em resposta à sua sessão de monitoramento modificando a intensidade e duração do treino. Os principais métodos utilizados foram a percepção subjetiva de esforço, número de sessões semanais e de exercícios específicos. As razões para utilizar este sistema de controle foram: Acompanhar as melhorias no desempenho (91,7%), gerenciar a carga de treinamento (83,3%) e reduzir lesões (75,0%). Concluímos que os treinadores de esportes para pessoas com deficiência utilizam métodos de fácil administração, eficiente em termos de tempo e de retorno de informações imediatas para monitorar as sessões de treino.

The Fallacy of Using the National Assessment Program–Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) Data to Identify Australian High-Potential Gifted Students

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2023

Michelle Ronksley-Pavia

In Australia, gifted or talented students are defined according to the widely accepted model proposed by Gagné, where giftedness is understood as potential, and talent is shown through competencies (or achievements); in this definition there is a clear differentiation between the two constructs. Most Australian education jurisdictions espouse Gagné’s definitions and use a variety of mechanisms for identifying gifted and talented students—a commonly used identification practice is the results from the Australian National Assessment Program–Literacy and Numeracy (NAPLAN) test. This article sets out to explore the fallacy of using the NAPLAN results to identify giftedness in high-potential (gifted) students in Australia, outlining key reasons why the NAPLAN is unsuitable as an identification instrument for giftedness. Moreover, it explores the erroneous use of the NAPLAN as an identification tool for giftedness when it was never designed, validated, or intended as such an instrument.

Determinants of motivation in world-class musicians and Olympic athletes: Exploring the front and the back side of the medallion

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2023
Psychol Music

Johannes Lunde Hatfield

The aim of the present case study was to obtain an in-depth understanding of the long-term motivation in four world-class musicians and two Olympic athletes. One part of the sample (Case 1) included three world famous musicians and one Olympic champion who all currently enjoy busy successful careers. These individuals are referred to as High Performing Stayers (HPS). The other part of the sample (Case 2) included one highly gifted musician and one Olympic athlete who both decided to put an end to their highly successful careers. These individuals are referred to as High Performing Quitters (HPQ). The performers’ perceptions of underlying driving forces and motivational impediments on their journey toward excellence were investigated through the lens of Self-Determination Theory. Semi-structured interviews revealed conspicuous and contrasting motivational patterns throughout the development of the six performers. All the four HPS were largely driven by autonomous forms of motivation such a self-initiative, passion, curiosity and a desire for endless discovery and aspiration. In contrast, despite reaching the highest international level, the two HPQ turned out to be driven by controlled coercive forms of motivation throughout their journey toward excellence. Educational implications are discussed in relation to the main findings.

Chinese Teachers Build Growth Mindset to Foster Student Achievement in the Disadvantaged Private Secondary High Schools

Article

Jan 2021

Understanding the Perceptions of Master Coach Developers in the National Coaching Certification Program

Article

Jan 2021

The National Coaching Certification Program is an adult education program in Canada that provides education to individuals engaging in sport coaching. In this program, certification is achieved through a successful evaluation. This research examines the perceptions of master coach developers, leaders of coach education in Canada, specifically exploring what factors contribute to them feeling confident and competent in leading National Coaching Certification Program evaluations. Ten master coach developers from across Canada were interviewed, and the following themes were identified: opportunity to engage, connection with participants, and perceptions of evaluation tools and processes. Constructivist grounded theory guided the research, supporting the development of the theory of evaluation leadership in the National Coaching Certification Program. This theory describes the impact of focusing on relationship, process, preparation, and practice on the perceived competence and confidence of program leaders in adult learning.

אימון מוכוון מומחיות

Chapter

Sep 2021

Roy David Samuel

Young, B.W., Eccles, D.W., Williams, A.M., & Baker, J. (2021). K. Anders Ericsson, deliberate practice and sport: Contributions, collaborations and controversies. Journal of Expertise, 4(2), 169-189. https://www.journalofexpertise.org/articles/volume4_issue2/JoE_4_2_Young_etal.html

Article

Full-text available

Jul 2021

In this review paper, we reflect on the work of K. Anders Ericsson and how his Deliberate Practice Framework (DPF: Ericsson et al., 1993) has particularly impacted the field of sport expertise and athlete development. We review the major tenets of the framework, including areas where there is indisputable evidence for the value of deliberate practice. We address the state of findings attesting to the mechanisms underpinning the expert advantage and their relevance to the DPF, and consider the growth in research addressing the motivational, effort and resource constraints of the framework. We document the evolving facets of, and incongruencies in, research, as well as lively debates around the operationalization of deliberate practice, whether deliberate practice is sufficient to account for sport expertise, and the role of individual differences and heritable qualities. Altogether, we acknowledge the importance and provocative nature of the DPF, recognizing it as a meta-framework that can continue to inform dialogue in the fields of skill acquisition, talent development and coaching, and notably, mark the considerable contributions made to our field by K. Anders Ericsson.

Non-linear association of efficiency of practice of adult elite athletes with their youth multi-sport practice

Article

Dec 2020

We explored associations of elite athletes’ multi-year efficiency of practice and improvement of performance with their current and earlier participation patterns. Participants were 80 adult German track-and-field national-squad athletes. Performance improvement was measured as development of athletes’ highest track-and-field championship level and placing from 19 to 25 years (t 1-t 2). Practice efficiency was defined as performance improvement per amount of coach-led athletics practice from t 1 to t 2. Participation variables included amounts of coach-led practice and peer-led play in athletics and other sports through t 1 and t 1-t 2. Analyses involved an advanced machine learning procedure, XGBoost, allowing non-linear, multivariate exploration. We computed two models, one for performance improvement (“good” discriminative performance, AUC = 0.82) and one for practice efficiency (“fair”, AUC = 0.73). Four central findings emerged: 1. Childhood/adolescent coach-led multi-sport practice was a critical discriminator of adult practice efficiency and performance improvement. 2. Associations were non-linear, displaying a saturation pattern. 3. The likelihood of achieving high adult practice efficiency was greatest when combining ~1,000–2,500 track-and-field practice hours until t 1 with ~1,250 other-sports practice hours until t 1. 4. Peer-led engagement in any sport had negligible effects. Childhood/adolescent multi-sport coach-led practice apparently facilitated long-term sustainability of athletes’ development of adult practice efficiency and performance improvement in athletics.

Long-Term Working Memory

Article

Full-text available

Apr 1995

To account for the large demands on working memory during text comprehension and expert performance, the traditional models of working memory involving temporary storage must be extended to include working memory based on storage in long-term memory. In the proposed theoretical framework cognitive processes are viewed as a sequence of stable states representing end products of processing. In skilled activities, acquired memory skills allow these end products to be stored in long-term memory and kept directly accessible by means of retrieval cues in short-term memory, as proposed by skilled memory theory. These theoretical claims are supported by a review of evidence on memory in text comprehension and expert performance in such domains as mental calculation, medical diagnosis, and chess.

The Role of Deliberate Practice in the Acquisition of Expert Performance

Article

Full-text available

Jul 1993

The theoretical framework presented in this article explains expert performance as the end result of individuals' prolonged efforts to improve performance while negotiating motivational and external constraints. In most domains of expertise, individuals begin in their childhood a regimen of effortful activities (deliberate practice) designed to optimize improvement. Individual differences, even among elite performers, are closely related to assessed amounts of deliberate practice. Many characteristics once believed to reflect innate talent are actually the result of intense practice extended for a minimum of 10 years. Analysis of expert performance provides unique evidence on the potential and limits of extreme environmental adaptation and learning.

Remodeling of Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Elite Athletes After Long-Term Deconditioning

Article

Full-text available

Feb 2002
CIRCULATION

Antonio Pelliccia

The clinical significance and long-term consequences of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy associated with intensive athletic conditioning remain unresolved. We prospectively evaluated 40 elite male athletes who had shown marked LV cavity enlargement of > or = 60 mm, wall thickness of > or = 13 mm, or both in a longitudinal fashion with serial echocardiograms, initially at peak training (age 24 +/- 4 years) and subsequently after a long-term deconditioning period (1 to 13 years; mean, 5.6 +/- 3.8). After detraining, LV cavity dimension decreased by 7% (61.2 +/- 2.9 to 57.2 +/- 3.1 mm; P<0.001), maximum wall thickness by 15% (12.0 +/- 1.3 to 10.1 +/- 0.8 mm; P<0.001), and mass normalized to height by 28% (194 +/- 25 to 140 +/- 21 g/m; P<0.001). However, individual subject analysis showed persistent substantial cavity dilatation (> or = 60 mm) in 9 athletes (22%); in contrast, wall thickness returned to normal in each athlete. Multiple regression analysis demonstrated that approximately 50% of the incomplete reduction in cavity dimension was explained by increased body weight and recreational physical activity performed during the follow-up period. No athlete had developed cardiac symptoms, impaired exercise performance, or evidence of LV dysfunction. LV remodeling was evident after long-term detraining, with significant reduction in cavity size and normalization of wall thickness. Resolution of cavity enlargement was, however, incomplete in most cases, and substantial chamber dilatation persisted in >20% of athletes. The possibility that this residual LV hypertrophy, apparently part of the athlete's heart syndrome, may have future long-term clinical implications in some individuals cannot be excluded with certainty.

Individual Differences in Expert Motor Coordination Associated with White Matter Microstructure in the Cerebellum

Article

Full-text available

Aug 2012
CEREB CORTEX

Recent investigations into the neural basis of elite sporting performance have focused on whether cortical activity might characterize individual differences in ability. However, very little is understood about how changes in brain structure might contribute to individual differences in expert motor control. We compared the behavior and brain structure of healthy controls with a group of karate black belts, an expert group who are able to perform rapid, complex movements that require years of training. Using 3D motion tracking, we investigated whether the ability to control ballistic arm movements was associated with differences in white matter microstructure. We found that karate experts are better able than novices to coordinate the timing of inter-segmental joint velocities. Diffusion tensor imaging revealed significant differences between the groups in the microstructure of white matter in the superior cerebellar peduncles (SCPs) and primary motor cortex—brain regions that are critical to the voluntary control of movement. Motor coordination, the amount of experience, and the age at which training began were all associated with individual differences in white matter integrity in the cerebellum within the karate groups. These findings suggest a role for the white matter pathways of the SCPs in motor expertise.

What makes champions? A review of the relative contribution of genes and training to sporting success

Article

Full-text available

Apr 2012
BRIT J SPORT MED

Elite sporting performance results from the combination of innumerable factors, which interact with one another in a poorly understood but complex manner to mould a talented athlete into a champion. Within the field of sports science, elite performance is understood to be the result of both training and genetic factors. However, the extent to which champions are born or made is a question that remains one of considerable interest, since it has implications for talent identification and management, as well as for how sporting federations allocate scarce resources towards the optimisation of high-performance programmes. The present review describes the contributions made by deliberate practice and genetic factors to the attainment of a high level of sporting performance. The authors conclude that although deliberate training and other environmental factors are critical for elite performance, they cannot by themselves produce an elite athlete. Rather, individual performance thresholds are determined by our genetic make-up, and training can be defined as the process by which genetic potential is realised. Although the specific details are currently unknown, the current scientific literature clearly indicates that both nurture and nature are involved in determining elite athletic performance. In conclusion, elite sporting performance is the result of the interaction between genetic and training factors, with the result that both talent identification and management systems to facilitate optimal training are crucial to sporting success.

The Role of Deliberate Practice in the Acquisition of Expert Performance

Article

Full-text available

Jul 1993
PSYCHOL REV

The theoretical framework presented in this article explains expert performance as the end result of individuals' prolonged efforts to improve performance while negotiating motivational and external constraints. In most domains of expertise, individuals begin in their childhood a regimen of effortful activities (deliberate practice) designed to optimize improvement. Individual differences, even among elite performers, are closely related to assessed amounts of deliberate practice. Many characteristics once believed to reflect innate talent are actually the result of intense practice extended for a minimum of 10 yrs. Analysis of expert performance provides unique evidence on the potential and limits of extreme environmental adaptation and learning. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)

Spatio-temporal transcriptome of the human brain

Article

Full-text available

Oct 2011
NATURE

Brain development and function depend on the precise regulation of gene expression. However, our understanding of the complexity and dynamics of the transcriptome of the human brain is incomplete. Here we report the generation and analysis of exon-level transcriptome and associated genotyping data, representing males and females of different ethnicities, from multiple brain regions and neocortical areas of developing and adult post-mortem human brains. We found that 86 per cent of the genes analysed were expressed, and that 90 per cent of these were differentially regulated at the whole-transcript or exon level across brain regions and/or time. The majority of these spatio-temporal differences were detected before birth, with subsequent increases in the similarity among regional transcriptomes. The transcriptome is organized into distinct co-expression networks, and shows sex-biased gene expression and exon usage. We also profiled trajectories of genes associated with neurobiological categories and diseases, and identified associations between single nucleotide polymorphisms and gene expression. This study provides a comprehensive data set on the human brain transcriptome and insights into the transcriptional foundations of human neurodevelopment.

Increased Cortical Thickness in Sports Experts: A Comparison of Diving Players with the Controls

Article

Full-text available

Feb 2011
PLOS ONE

Sports experts represent a population of people who have acquired expertise in sports training and competition. Recently, the number of studies on sports experts has increased; however, neuroanatomical changes following extensive training are not fully understood. In this study, we used cortical thickness measurement to investigate the brain anatomical characteristics of professional divers with extensive training experience. A comparison of the brain anatomical characteristics of the non-athlete group with those of the athlete group revealed three regions with significantly increased cortical thickness in the athlete group. These regions included the left superior temporal sulcus, the right orbitofrontal cortex and the right parahippocampal gyrus. Moreover, a significant positive correlation between the mean cortical thickness of the right parahippocampal gyrus and the training experience was detected, which might indicate the effect of extensive training on diving players' brain structure.

Maturation to elite status: A six-year physiological case study of a world champion rowing crew

Article

Full-text available

Feb 2011
EUR J APPL PHYSIOL

Pavle Mikulić

This case study reports the results of a 6-year (2005–2010) follow-up study of a world-class rowing crew, the current world champions. The rowers were 15–16 years old and prospective competitors at the junior level when the study began in 2005, and we monitored their physical, physiological, and rowing ergometer performance data annually. Our findings indicated that over the 6-year period gains in stature, averaged across rowers, amounted to only +2 cm (+1%). In contrast, body mass increased by +9 kg (+10%) and fat-free mass by +11 kg (+15%). A significant linear trend (R 2 = 0.998, P < 0.001) and a +26% increase in maximal oxygen uptake (in L min−1) was evident from 2005 to 2009, resulting in a leveling-off and a crew average of ~6.6 L min−1 (~70 mL kg−1 min−1) during the last 2 years of assessment. Power output at anaerobic threshold increased by +23%, subsequently amounting to a crew average of 359 W in 2010. Oxygen uptake at anaerobic threshold, expressed as a percentage of maximal oxygen uptake, changed little and ranged between 82 and 85%. A curvilinear regression provided the best fit to describe the 6-year improvement (+7%) in 2000 m (R 2 = 0.984, P < 0.001) and 6000 m (R 2 = 0.989, P < 0.001) rowing ergometer performance times. Performance-related physical and physiological parameters seem to level-off at about 20 years of age, which may partly explain the corresponding stabilization in ergometer performance times over the last years of assessment.

What is Best Practice for Training Intensity and Duration Distribution in Endurance Athletes?

Article

Full-text available

Sep 2010

Stephen Seiler

Successful endurance training involves the manipulation of training intensity, duration, and frequency, with the implicit goals of maximizing performance, minimizing risk of negative training outcomes, and timing peak fitness and performances to be achieved when they matter most. Numerous descriptive studies of the training characteristics of nationally or internationally competitive endurance athletes training 10 to 13 times per week seem to converge on a typical intensity distribution in which about 80% of training sessions are performed at low intensity (2 mM blood lactate), with about 20% dominated by periods of high-intensity work, such as interval training at approx. 90% VO2max. Endurance athletes appear to self-organize toward a high-volume training approach with careful application of high-intensity training incorporated throughout the training cycle. Training intensification studies performed on already well-trained athletes do not provide any convincing evidence that a greater emphasis on high-intensity interval training in this highly trained athlete population gives long-term performance gains. The predominance of low-intensity, long-duration training, in combination with fewer, highly intensive bouts may be complementary in terms of optimizing adaptive signaling and technical mastery at an acceptable level of stress.

Tracing the Development of Athletes Using Retrospective Interview Methods: A Proposed Interview and Validation Procedure for Reported Information

Article

Full-text available

Mar 2005

A new interview procedure is proposed for collecting valid information on the acquisition of high-level performance in sport. The procedure elicits verifiable information on the development of athletes' achievements in their primary sport, as well as factors that might influence performance, including involvement in other sporting activities, injuries, physical growth and quality of training resources. Interviewed athletes also describe their engagement in specific training and other relevant activities during each year of their development as well as how they experienced each type of activity. The collected information is then examined to identify those aspects of the athletes' recall of their development that meet criteria of reliability and validity. Recommendations to coaches and scientists are discussed for how retrospective interviews can uncover aspects of development that distinguish elite from less accomplished athletes.

Enhanced White Matter Tracts Integrity in Children With Abacus Training

Article

Full-text available

Jan 2011
HUM BRAIN MAPP

Experts of abacus, who have the skills of abacus-based mental calculation (AMC), are able to manipulate numbers via an imagined abacus in mind and demonstrate extraordinary ability in mental calculation. Behavioral studies indicated that abacus experts utilize visual strategy in solving numerical problems, and fMRI studies confirmed the enhanced involvement of visuospatial-related neural resources in AMC. This study aims to explore the possible changes in brain white matter induced by long-term training of AMC. Two matched groups participated: the abacus group consisting of 25 children with over 3-year training in abacus calculation and AMC, the controls including 25 children without any abacus experience. We found that the abacus group showed higher average fractional anisotropy (FA) in whole-brain fiber tracts, and the regions with increased FA were found in corpus callosum, left occipitotemporal junction and right premotor projection. No regions, however, showed decreased FA in the abacus group. Further analysis revealed that the differences in FA values were mainly driven by the alternation of radial rather than axial diffusivities. Furthermore, in forward digit and letter memory span tests, AMC group showed larger digit/letter memory spans. Interestingly, individual differences in white matter tracts were found positively correlated with the memory spans, indicating that the widespread increase of FA in the abacus group result possibly from the AMC training. In conclusion, our findings suggested that long-term AMC training from an early age may improve the memory capacity and enhance the integrity in white matter tracts related to motor and visuospatial processes.

Soccer Skill Development in Professionals

Article

Full-text available

Jun 2009
INT J SPORTS MED

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the development of the technical skill dribbling during ages 14-18 and adulthood playing level. The results gained insight in the required level of the technical skill dribbling during adolescence to be capable of becoming a professional soccer player. Talented players (n=131), aged 14-18 were measured while they were part of a developmental soccer program, testing took place annually. The players were identified as professional (n=54) or amateur (n=77) later on in their career (age>20). In total 238 measurements of dribbling performance were assessed by means of the Shuttle Dribble Test. A longitudinal model estimated the development for optimal dribbling performance (peak dribbling) and for dribbling performance under fatigue (repeated dribbling), for players ultimately reaching professional status and for players reaching amateur status. The longitudinal results showed that during adolescence the talented players who ultimately became professionals were on average 0.3 s faster on 30m peak dribbling performance and on average 1 second faster on 3 x 30m repeated dribbling performance than the players who ultimately turned amateur (p=0.001). It is concluded that during adolescence dribbling performance can assist in identifying the best players for the future.

Peak performance and age: An examination of peak performance in sports

Chapter

Nov 1990

K. Anders Ericsson

The development of elite performance and deliberate practice: An update from the perspective of the expert-performance approach

Article

Jan 2003

Karl Ericsson

Examination of practice activities related to the acquisition of elite performance in Canadian middle distance running

Article

Jan 2010
INT J SPORT PSYCHOL

Ericsson, Krampe, and Tesch-Römer's (1993) framework for the acquisition of expertise was examined using three global metrics for cumulative practice, including an exclusive sport-specific and a priori defined metric for deliberate practice (Young & Salmela, 2002). Based on practice histories for 48 national, provincial and club middle distance runners, between-group analyses were conducted separately for each of the global measures and also for accumulations in each of 12 specific individual training activities across the initial seven years of a career. Each of the global measures failed to discriminate between groups, with cumulative DP demonstrating the smallest effect sizes. National atbletes reported more technique practice than Club runners across the first 5 yrs of a career, and more endurance weights than lesser-skilled groups after 3 yrs and onwards in a career. Provincial runners accumulated more work with a coach than Club runners across the first 5 yrs. Discussion focused on whether an exclusive a priori defined cumulative deliberate practice metric advances work in the area, as well as how the three significant individual training activities contribute to acquired expertise in running.

The Influence of Experience and Deliberate Practice on the Development of Superior Expert Performance

Chapter

Jan 2006

Karl Ericsson

Deliberate practice and the modifiability of body and mind: Toward a science of the structure and acquisition of expert and elite performance

Article

Jan 1970
INT J SPORT PSYCHOL

Karl Ericsson

Some researchers in sports attribute elite performance to genetic talent. However, they do not offer complete genetic accounts that specify the causal processes involved in the activation and expression of the dormant genes in DNA during practice in the athletes' development that lead to the emergence of the distinctive physiological and anatomical attributes (innate talent). This article argues that it is possible to account for the development of elite performance among healthy children without recourse to unique talent (genetic endowment)-excepting the innate determinants of body size. This account based on the expert-performance approach shows that the distinctive characteristics of elite performers are adaptations to extended and intense practice activities that selectively activate dormant genes that all healthy children's DNA contain. The expert-performance approach has provided accounts for elite performance in several domains of expertise, such as music, ballet, chess, and medicine. This article shows how the superior performance of athletes can be captured and reproduced under laboratory conditions to discover the mechanisms mediating superior performance. The discovered mechanisms have, so far, been shown to reflect predominantly complex skills and physiological adaptations acquired over years and decades as a result of high daily levels of activities, which were specially designed to improve performance (deliberate practice). The second part of this article describes the development of expert performance in sports as an extended series of stable states of adaptation with associated physiological mechanisms that mediate performance. One section describes how frequent intense engagement in certain types of practice activities is shown to induce physiological strain which cause biochemical changes that stimulate growth and transformation of cells, which in turn leads to associated improved adaptations of physiological systems and the brain. A careful review of the published evidence on the heritability of acquisition of elite sports achievement failed to reveal reproducible evidence for any genetic constraints for attaining elite levels by healthy individuals (excluding, of course, the evidence on body size). The theoretical framework of expert performance explains individual differences in attained performance by the factors that influence the engagement in sustained extended deliberate practice, such as motivation, parental support, and access to the best training environments and teachers. Consequently, the development of expert performance will be primarily constrained by individuals' engagement in deliberate practice and the quality of the available training resources. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)

Transcriptome signature of resistance exercise adaptations: Mixed muscle and fiber type specific profiles in young and old adults

Article

Feb 2012
J APPL PHYSIOL

This investigation examined the effects of acute resistance exercise (RE), progressive resistance training (PRT), and age on the human skeletal muscle Transcriptome. Two cohorts of young and old adults [study A: 24 yr, 84 yr (n = 28); study B: 25 yr, 78 yr (n = 36)] were studied. Vastus lateralis biopsies were obtained pre- and 4 h post-RE in conjunction with the 1st and 36th (last) training session as part of a 12-wk PRT program in study A, whereas biopsies were obtained in the basal untrained state in study B. Additionally, the muscle fiber type specific (MHC I and MHC IIa) Transcriptome response to RE was examined in a subset of young and old women from study A. Transcriptome profiling was performed using HG U133 Plus 2.0 Arrays. The main findings were 1) there were 661 genes affected by RE during the 1st and 36th training bout that correlated with gains in muscle size and strength with PRT (termed the Transcriptome signature of resistance exercise adaptations); 2) the RE gene response was most pronounced in fast-twitch (MHC IIa) muscle fibers and provided additional insight into the skeletal muscle biology affected by RE; 3) skeletal muscle of young adults is more responsive to RE at the gene level compared with old adults and age also affected basal level skeletal muscle gene expression. These skeletal muscle Transcriptome findings provide further insight into the molecular basis of sarcopenia and the impact of resistance exercise at the mixed muscle and fiber type specific level.

"Long-Term Working Memory

Article

May 1995

Genomic predictors of trainability

Article

Oct 2011
EXP PHYSIOL

Claude Bouchard

The concept of individual differences in the response to exercise training or trainability was defined three decades ago. In a series of experimental studies with pairs of monozygotic twins, evidence was found in support of a strong genotype dependency of the ability to respond to regular exercise. In the HERITAGE Family Study, it was observed that the heritability of the maximal oxygen uptake response to 20 weeks of standardized exercise training reached 47% after adjustment for age, sex, baseline maximal oxygen uptake and baseline body mass and composition. Candidate gene studies have not yielded as many validated gene targets and variants as originally anticipated. Genome-wide explorations have generated more convincing predictors of maximal oxygen uptake trainability. A genomic predictor score based on the number of favourable alleles carried at 21 single nucleotide polymorphisms appears to be able to identify low and high training response classes that differ by at least threefold. Combining transcriptomic and genomic technologies has also yielded highly promising results concerning the ability to predict trainability among sedentary people.

Soccer Endurance Development in Professionals

Article

Feb 2010
INT J SPORTS MED

The development of intermittent endurance capacity, its underlying mechanisms and role in reaching professional level in soccer was investigated. The sample included 130 talented youth soccer players aged 14-18, who became professional (n = 53) or non-professional (n = 77) players in adulthood. In total 229 Interval Shuttle Run Test (ISRT) scores were taken over five years. Players who became professionals improved from age 14 to 18 on average from 68 to 109 runs in contrast to players who remained amateurs (from 73 to 93 runs). A longitudinal model was developed using linear mixed models procedures. Intermittent endurance capacity can be predicted adequately with a two-level hierarchical model (p < 0.05). Anthropometric characteristics and playing position did not improve model fit (p > 0.05). The estimated ISRT score necessary to reach professional level is: ISRT=-375.77-62.89+(51.20+4.20)* age-1.50* age (2)+3.54* hours of soccer training+1.18* additional training hours. In conclusion, intermittent endurance capacity improves with age in talented youth soccer players. From age 15 players who reached the professional level show a faster development than their non-professional counterparts. This development is positively influenced by both soccer specific and additional training.

Outliers : The Story of Success / M. Gladwell.

Article

Malcolm Gladwell

Obra que aborda el éxito en la vida, se describe qué es lo que las personas exitosas o los mejores tienen para serlo, los millonarios, los zares de software, los futbolistas destacados, los músicos exitosos en general las personas geniales que llevan de la mano el éxito.

Acquisition of a Memory Skill

Article

Jul 1980

After more than 230 hours of practice in the laboratory, a subject was able to increase his memory span from 7 to 79 digits. His performance on other memory tests with digits equaled that of memory experts with lifelong training. With an appropriate mnemonic system, there is seemingly no limit to memory performance with practice.

This is your brain on music: The science of a human obsession

D J Levitin

Training history, deliberate practice and elite sports performance: An analysis in response to Tucker and Collins review-what makes champions?

Abstract

No full-text available

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