Early Specialization in Sport

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• Early Specialization in Sport

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The Case for Early Specialization

• The Power Law of Practice
• Level of proficiency is positively related to
  amount of time spent practicing.
• The Theory of Deliberate Practice (Ericsson et
  al. 1993)
• Level of proficiency is related to the amount of
  high quality training performed.

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Consequences of Early Specialization

• Psycho-sociological Development.
• Motor Development.
• Physical Development.
• Dropout.

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Is early specialization a requirement for expert
performance as an adult?
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Study 1

• Expertise in Team Ball Sports
• Abernethy, Côté, Baker (1999)

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Sample

• 15 Australian National team athletes (basketball,
  netball, and field hockey) with 13 age and
  experience matched non-experts.

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Hours of Sport-Specific Training
of Hours
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Involvement in Other Sports

• Experts performed an average of 8.6 other sports.
• Range 3 14 sports.
• 6026 hours 3 other sports.
• 600 hours 14 other sports.

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Influence of Other Activities

• of other sports by hours of sport-specific
  training hours
• r -.54, p lt .05

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Discussion

• Sport-specific training hours.
• 10-years of involvement.
• Involvement in other sports.
• Transfer?

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Study 2

• Expertise in Ultra-Endurance Triathletes
• Baker, Côté, Deakin (in press)

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Purposes

• 1 Examine patterns of sports involvement.
• 2 Determine the relationship between hours of
  sport-specific training and involvement in other
  sports on expertise.

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Participants (N29)

• 3 groups
• Experts (lt 9.5 hours).
• Middle of the Pack ( 12.5 hours).
• Back of the Pack (gt 14.0 hours).
• Similar method to Study 1

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Stages of Triathlon Involvement
Stage 1 Variety of Sports
Stage 2 Single Sport Involvement
Stage 3 Triathlon Participation
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Hours of Training
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Discussion

• Hours of training.
• Early specialization.

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• Implications for Youth Sport and Physical
  Activity Involvement

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Implications for Youth Sport

• Early specialization is not necessary for later
  expertise.
• Diversified involvement during early stages did
  not hinder adult expertise.

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Implications for Youth Sport

• Youth should be provided with numerous
  opportunities for involvement in a variety of
  sports and physical activities.

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Developmental Model of Sport Participation
Sampling Years
Specializing Years
Investment Years