Routes into sporting excellence

Question 1

What does the performance pyramid look like?

Answer 1

TOP
. excellence
. performance
. participation
. foundation
BOTTOM

Question 2

What is the foundation level of performance?

Answer 2

. into to a sport (1st attempt)
. usually introduced in compulsory PE in school

Question 3

What is the participation level of performance?

Answer 3

. recreational involvement
. choose to participate
. emphasis on fun and enjoyment

Question 4

What is the performance level of performance?

Answer 4

. county and regional participation
. emphasis on competition and winning

Question 5

What is the role of schools in sporting excellence?

Answer 5

. compulsory PE= inclusive
. learn a range of sports
. learn fundamental skills which are transferable
. coaching and facility quality varies
. extra-curricular competitive opportunities
. provide links to local clubs
. offers qualifications

Question 6

What is the excellence level of performance?

Answer 6

. national or international level
. high levels of coaching
. sport science support

Question 7

What is the role of clubs in sporting excellence?

Answer 7

. competition is frequent
. specialist/high quality coaching
. provide specialist facilities and equipment
. some clubs provide financial concessions
. possibility for talent identification
. can provide basic medical support

Question 8

What is the role of universities in sporting excellence?

Answer 8

. combines performance with study
. many offer sporting scholarships/bursaries
. high level competition
. specialist facilities
. involved in sport science research

Question 9

What is a talent ID programme?

Answer 9

The testing of both physiological and psychological parameters that help to determine the likelihood of sporting success.

Question 10

Who oversees talent ID and where is it held?

Answer 10

Process overseen by UK sport and generally held at National Institutes for Sport.

Question 11

What are the methods to test physiological parameters?

Answer 11

. fitness tests (V02 max)
. skills tests (sport-specific)
. anthropometry (muscle fiber type ratios)

Question 12

What are the methods to test psychological parameters?

Answer 12

. psychological profile (personality testing)
. hereditary profile (success of previous family members)
. sociological profile ( age, gender, ethnicity)

Question 13

What happens during phase 1 of the Talent ID process?

Answer 13

. athlete is assessed in a range of basic skill-based and physical tests
. analysis of the athletes competition and training history takes place

Question 14

What happens during phase 2 & 3 of the Talent ID process?

Answer 14

. preparation for training and development
. PHC: medical screening for underlying health conditions
. in-depth physiological assessment analyzing factors underpinning success in the sport
. in-depth psychological assessment

Question 15

What happens in phase 4 of the Talent ID process?

Answer 15

. 6-12 month trial in the specific sports elite training environment

EITHER : progress to elite programme or return to club level

Question 16

What are the positives of the Talent ID process?

Answer 16

. those identified should make rapid progress based on science
. get relevant sporting experiences to their talents from a young age
. more success/medal winners
. better use of funding once selected
. widens talent pool in minority sports

Question 17

What are the cons of the Talent ID process?

Answer 17

. will always miss people
. experienced coaches ‘eye’ could be better than quantitative tests in some sports
. testing requires extensive funding
. children could be over-trained and limits their options from young age
. although have the potential to be good, doesn’t mean they always are