Abstract
Objectives: The goal of this study was to shed light on the existent knowledge, internationally published over the last decade (2009–2019), on how to deal with talented children in physical education (PE). Methods: A mixed systematic review (SR) was conducted following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO), registration number: CRD42019117211. Study eligibility criteria: The articles included were selected using the following criteria: (a) studies published in peer-reviewed international journals; (b) studies published from 2009 to 2019 (both inclusive); (c) studies that included quantitative and/or qualitative methods and findings; (d) research conducted within school contexts; (e) articles that focused on both talent/gift and PE, and (f) studies published in English or Spanish. Results: A total of 11 articles were identified. Results showed a gradual change in both methods and instruments used for talent identification (TI) in PE, focused currently on children’s health and involvement in sports. Second, there is consensus on the lack of clarity in schools’ policies and guidelines on how to deal with talented children in PE. Conclusions: Finally, there are alternative programs to elite athlete models that better fit in PE to deal with talented children and to avoid child disengagement in PE and sports.
Highlights
The purpose of uncovering future sport stars has motivated many researchers to get into the field of sport talent detection
The criteria to include articles was as follows: (a) studies published in peer-reviewed international journals; (b) studies published from 2009 to 2019; (c) studies that included quantitative and/or qualitative methods and findings; (d) research conducted within school contexts; (e) articles that focused on both talent/gift and physical education (PE), and (f) studies published in English or Spanish
In order to keep this line of work at schools, it is advised to follow Brown’s recommendations which supports the implementation of some models that can fit better in PE to deal with talented children: the Multifunctional Pathways Model [65], the Alternative Model [50], the Tactical Games Model [66,67] or the Sport Education Model [68]
Summary
The purpose of uncovering future sport stars has motivated many researchers to get into the field of sport talent detection. Research into this topic has faced several difficulties [1]. These difficulties lies in the ambiguity of the concept of sport talent [2] and the criteria commonly used for identification [3,4]. The second aims to uncover the key points in the career of top athletes with the purpose of stablishing a vital itinerary that could help young individuals in their trail to excellence [9]
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