2. The athlete’s potential is a combination of
Genetics and Training
◦ Genes influence potential, but they don’t ensure it.
◦ Genetic plays a role in individual training
responses.
Factors that influences training:
◦ Maturation
◦ Nutrition
◦ Rest
◦ Emotional factors
3. Maturation –progression towards the mature
state.
Sexual maturity – fully functioning
reproductive capabilities
Skeletal Maturity – fully developed skeleton
Growth – Change in individual size
Maturation – progression towards Maturity
4. Testosterone - supports muscle growth
Sexual maturity aids muscular growth
Females do produce testosterone, but at
lower levels.
5. Physicians assess an athletes maturity
Skeletal – x-rays comparing to x-rays of
known maturation levels
Sexual – presence of secondary sexual
Characteristics (pubic hair, breast and genital
development).
Tanner’s maturity assessment
◦ http://learningbasics.blogspot.com/2007/04/tanne
r-staging-sexual-maturity-score.html
6. determine age appropriate activities
◦ If we have athletes compete or practice skills they
aren’t not ready for they face injury and emotional
factors.
◦ As a coach you should know your activity/sports so
well you can determine what age group to teach
what skill.
7. Bringing out the possibilities to achieve one’s
potential.
Influenced by athlete’s growth and maturity
Figure B.1 page 32
◦ Description of athletic development goals for each
age group
◦ Spend time reviewing this figure
Table 3.1 page 33
◦ This table emphasizes specific guidelines to help
develop practice plans.
◦ This is research based information (quality
resource)
8. Prepubescent children
Unnecessary to separate genders
Puberty (high school)
◦ Variety rates of maturation
◦ Differences develop – provide individual
opportunities
Table 3.2 page 34
◦ Outlines basic gender difference
◦ Focus on variability in these differences due to
individual maturation rates.
9. Athletes need adequate nutrition to meet the
demands of growth and athletic competition.
http://www.choosemyplate.gov/
◦ Provides guidelines for proper nutrition
10.
11. Adequate rest is need to enhance growth and
development
Table 3.3 page 34
◦ Suggests sleep requirements for young athletes
12. The best thing for an athlete when ill or
injured is a few days of rest
Pushing through illness or injury will most
likely prolong the illness or injury
13. Stress, anxiety, depression, and eating
disorders can lead to poor performance and
overtraining
Coaches should be on the lookout for signs
of these emotional factors in their athletes.
