Talent Identification In Sport Research Articles

Predictability of physiological testing and the role of maturation in talent identification for adolescent team sports

Entrepreneurial marketing of sport increases demands on sport development officers to identify talented individuals for specialist development at the youngest possible age. Talent identification results in the streamlining of resources to produce optimal returns from a sports investment. However, the process of talent identification for team sports is complex and success prediction is imperfect. The aim of this review is to describe existing practices in physiological tests used for talent identification in team sports and discuss the impact of maturity-related differences on the long term outcomes particularly for male participants. Maturation is a major confounding variable in talent identification during adolescence. A myriad of hormonal changes during puberty results in physical and physiological characteristics important for sporting performance. Significant changes during puberty make the prediction of adult performance difficult from adolescent data. Furthermore, for talent identification programs to succeed, valid and reliable testing procedures must be accepted and implemented in a range of performance-related categories. Limited success in scientifically based talent identification is evident in a range of team sports. Genetic advances challenge the ethics of talent identification in adolescent sport. However, the environment remains a significant component of success prediction in sport. Considerations for supporting talented young male athletes are discussed.

Anthropometric, physical and motor fitness profiles of 10 to 15-year old girls in the north west province of South Africa: implications for sport talent identification

The aim of this study was to gain knowledge as to how girls in the North West Province (South Africa) develop with regard to some of their anthropometrical, physical and motor fitness characteristics from the age of 10- to 15- years. The subjects were part of the THUSA BANA research project (project number OOM-10), which was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education. A total of 556 girls between the ages of 10- and 15- years were tested. The sample was stratified for region, type of school and predominant ethnic group. The tests consisted of four anthropometrical measurements, six physical fitness tests and five motor fitness tests. Data analyses were performed using the Statistica for Windows computer package. Descriptive statistics were used to determine mean and standard deviation. The one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and the Tukey-test (Thomas & Nelson, 1996) were applied for significance. The level of significance was set at p

Detection, selection and promotion of sports talents in rhythmic gymnastic: a revision study

Poucos são os estudos que abordam as questões relacionadas ao diagnóstico e prognóstico de talentos esportivos em nosso país. Na Ginástica Rítmica Desportiva (GRD), essas questões parecem não estar bem esclarecidas, possivelmente por tratar-se de uma modalidade esportiva bastante recente. Percebe-se que os critérios para se detectar, selecionar ou promover ginastas ao alto nível, quase sempre são estabelecidos subjetivamente pelas técnicas, sem a utilização de critérios científicos. Os estudos já realizados apontam para a necessidade de conhecimento do potencial genético das atletas, associado a um meio ambiente favorável ao seu desenvolvimento. Este estudo de revisão teve por objetivo tentar esclarecer a importância de se utilizar critérios científicos fundamentados em referenciais cineantropométricos de ginastas de alto nível de diferentes categorias, com a finalidade de identificar as possuidoras de talento e desenvolvê-las por meio de treinamento sistematizado, para que atinjam o mais alto desempenho possível, em razão do potencial existente.