This presentation discusses early and late specialisation in sport and discusses which pathway would be most benefical on the way to elite sucess from a physiological and pschological perspective

1. How typical
is this
photo?

2. The Best Form of Athletic
Development for Children
Emma Friend

3. Children’s Reasons for Participating in
Sport
• To have fun
• To improve skills
• To be with friends
• To be part of a team
• To experience excitement
• To receive rewards
• To win
• To become physically fit
(Wankel & Kreisel, 1985)

4. Côté - Developmental Model of
Sports Participation
Early specialisation Early diversification
1. The 1. The Sampling years
specialising/investment
years
2. The Specialising years
3. The investment years

5. 6-12yrs Sampling Years
Deliberate play!
Many sports
Backyard sport
Relaxed rules

6. Côté - Developmental Model of
Sports Participation
Early specialisation Early diversification
1. The specialising years 1. The Sampling years
2a. The recreational years
2. The investment years
2b. The Specialising years
3. The investment years

7. 12+ yrs Recreational Years
Social/recreational interest
Low levels of deliberate practice
Age-appropriate competition

8. 13-15yrs Specialising Years
Fewer sports
Deliberate practice
Skill development

9. 16+ yrs Investment Years
One distinct sport
Performance
Specific training

10. Balyi - Long Term Athlete Development
Early Specialisation Model Late Specialisation Model
1. Training to train 1.Fundamentals
2. Training to complete 2.Learning to train
3. Training to win 3. Training to train
4.Training to complete
4. Retirement/Retainment
5.Training to win
6.Retirement/Retainment

11. Boys: 6-9yrs
Girls: 5-8yrs FUNdamentals
Enjoyment!
Many sports
Fun games and activities

12. Boys: 9-12yrs
Girls: 8-11yrs Learning to Train
General sports skills
Knowledge of sports related areas
Enjoyment

13. Boys: 12-16yrs
Girls: 11-15yrs Training to Train
Physical capabilities
Sports specific skills
Competition specific training
Competition

14. Boys: 16-18yrs
Girls: 15-17yrs Training to Compete
Performance and Competition!
Technical and tactical skills
Other aspects

15. Boys: 18+ yrs
Girls: 17+ yrs Training to Win
Performance!
Major competitions
Competition focused training

16. Retirement/Retainment
Coaching
Officiating
Administration

17. How much Sports Specific
Training is Enough?

18. The Effects of Specialisation
on Athletic Development

19. Physiological Perspective for Elite
Success
Late Specialisation
• Increase in strength
• Increase in speed and agility
• Improved cardiovascular endurance
• Improved gross motor coordination and
balance

20. Physiological Perspective Cont.
Early Specialisation
• Increase risk of over training
• Increase risk of over use injuries
• Over training – may cause problems to
growth, stunted growth, and problems with
epithseal growth plates

21. Psychological Perspective
Late Specialisation
• Development of game sense
• Development of automatic decision making
• Fosters positive peer relationships
• Development of life skills
• Helps develop multiple coping strategies
needed in different sports

22. Psychological Perspective
Early Specialisation
• Decrease intrinsic motivation
• Increase risk of dropout
• Increase risk of athletic burnout

25. Summary
• Reasons for participation
• Côté - Developmental Model of Sports
Participation
• Balyi – Long Term Athlete Development
Model
• Physiological Perspective
• Psychological Perspective

26. References
• Bailey, R., Collins, D., Ford, P., Macnamara, Á., Toms, M. & Pearce G.
(2010). Participant development in sport: An academic review. Pg101.
• Baker, J. (2003). Early specialisation in youth sport: a requirement for
adult expertise? High Ability Studies. 14(1)
• Baker, J., Cobley, S. & Fraser-Thomas J. (2009). What do we know about
early sport specialization? Not much. High Ability Studies. 20(1):77-90.
• Baker, J., Cote, J. & Abernethy, B. (2003) Sport-specific practice and the
development of expert decision-making in team ball sports. Journal of
Applied Sports Psychology. 15(1):12-25.
• Callender, S. (2010). The early specialisation of youths in sport. Athletic
Training & Sports Health Care: The Journal for the Practicing Clinician.
2(6): 255-258.
• Cote, J., Lidor, R. & Hackfort D. (2009). ISSP position stand: to sample or to
specialise? Seven postulates about youth sport activities that lead to
continued participation and elite performance. International Journal of
Sports and Exercise Psychology. 7(1):11-18.

27. References Continued
• Fransen, J., Pion, J., Vandendriessche, J., Vandorpe, B., Vaeyens, R., Lenoir, M. &
Philippaerts, R. (2012). Differences in physical fitness and gross motor
coordination in boys aged 6-12 years specializing in one verses sampling more
than one sport. Journal of Sports Sciences. 30(4):379-387.
• Stanlan, T. K., Babkes, M. I. & Scanlan, L. A, (2005), Participation in sport; A
developmental glimpse at emotion. In J. L. Mahoncy, R. W. Larson. &J.S, ticles
(ííls.). Organized activities as contexts nf dn-elupmetit (pp. 275-.1Í0). Mahwah, NJ:
Uicrance Erlbiums, Inc., Publishers.
• Wankel, L. M. & Kreisel, P. S. J. (1985). Factors underlying enjoyment of youth
sports: Sport and age group comparisons . Journal of Sports Psychology. 7:51-64.
• Wiersma, L. (2000). Risks and benefits of youth sport specialisation: perspectives
and recommendations. Pediatric Exercise Science. 12(1):13-22.
• Yoo, |. (2001) CÀjping Protile of Korean Competitive Athletes. International
Journal of Sport of Sport Psychology. 32 (2)0-03.

28. Picture References
Images were either sourced via creative commons or my own personal images.
Pictures on title page (clockwise from top left)
• “Golf Thursdays” by chispita_666
• “Silhouettes” by Tezza #
• “Sunny Saturday at the Park” by chispita_666
• “Where Amazing Happens” by N. Calzas
• “Balls” by teachernz
• “Tennis ball” by Cory Schadt
Slide 23
• “Podium Renault World Series 3.5” by Marz Photography
Slide 24
• “Primary School Children, Sports Day” by Anthea Sieveking