ISAK Home

Vol. 3 No. 1 (2023): Volume 3, Issue 1, Year 2023

Articles

Talent Identification and Development in Youth Sports: A Systematic Review

  • Seyed Houtan Shahidi,
  • Bo Carlberg,
  • Derek Kingsley J
Seyed Houtan Shahidi
Faculty of Sport Sciences, Department of Sports Coaching, Istanbul Gedik University, Istanbul, Turkey
Bo Carlberg
Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
Derek Kingsley J
Exercise Science and Exercise Physiology, Kent State University, Ohio, United States
PDF Appendix
DOI: https://doi.org/10.34256/ijk2318

Published 30-06-2023

Keywords

  • Talent Identification,
  • Talent Development,
  • Youth,
  • Growth,
  • Maturity

How to Cite

Shahidi, S. H., Carlberg, B., & J, D. K. (2023). Talent Identification and Development in Youth Sports: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Kinanthropometry, 3(1), 73–84. https://doi.org/10.34256/ijk2318

Copyright (c) 2023 Seyed Houtan Shahidi, Bo Carlberg, Derek Kingsley J

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Dimensions

Crossref
Scopus
Google Scholar
Europe PMC

Abstract

Introduction: Talent has traditionally been associated with the concept of an athlete's essential conditions for success. Longitudinal studies can assess characteristics associated with performance while evaluating changes and developments over time. Therefore, the goal of this review was to identify and summarize the longitudinal literature that addresses the impact of the development of potential talent indicators in childhood/adolescence on later success in elite sports. Methods: Accordingly, the search methodology of this systematic synthesis review was guided by the preferred reporting points for systematic reviews. Articles were included that examined child/adolescent development over time of potential talent indicators for success in future elite athletes. A total of six manuscripts were fully reviewed. Results: Overall, the results of these studies show that the findings are inconclusive and that talent indicators have changed over time, with this change having a different pace and intensity depending on the growth spurt. Conclusion: The result of this systematic review shows that it is not possible to say whether talent can be identified in children/adolescents in relation to success in elite sports. This is due to the non-linear development of adolescents and the emerging, dynamic, and symbiotic conceptualization of talent.

PDF Appendix

References

  1. Abarghoueinejad, M., Baxter-Jones, A.D.G., Gomes, T.N., Barreira, D., & Maia, J. (2021). Motor Performance in Male Youth Soccer Players: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Studies. Sports, 9(4): 53-53. https://doi.org/10.3390/sports9040053
  2. Ardern, C.L., Büttner, F., Andrade, R., Weir, A., Ashe, M.C., Holden, S., Franco M.I., Eamonn D,. Dijkstra, H.P., Stephanie M., Michael S.R., Guus R., Catherine S., Emmanuel S., Bill V., Jackie L.W., Alexis A.W., Mike C., David M., Matthew J.P., Karim M.K., Winters, M. (2022). Implementing the 27 PRISMA 2020 Statement items for systematic reviews in the sport and exercise medicine, musculoskeletal rehabilitation and sports science fields: the PERSiST (implementing Prisma in Exercise, Rehabilitation, Sport medicine and SporTs science) guidance. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 56(4): 175-195. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2021-103987
  3. Baker, J., Wilson, S., Johnston, K., Dehghansai, N., Koenigsberg, A., De Vegt, S., & Wattie, N. (2020). Talent research in sport 1990–2018: A scoping review. Frontiers in Psychology, 11: 607710. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.607710
  4. Bennett, K.J., Vaeyens, R., & Fransen, J. (2019). Creating a framework for talent identification and development in emerging football nations. Science and Medicine in Football, 3(1): 36-42. https://doi.org/10.1080/24733938.2018.1489141
  5. Casserly, N., Neville, R., Ditroilo, M., & Grainger, A. (2019). Longitudinal changes in the physical development of Elite Adolescent rugby union players: Effect of playing position and body mass change. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 15(4): 520-527. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2019-0154
  6. Chaalali, A., Rouissi, M., Chtara, M., Owen, A., Bragazzi, N., Moalla, W., Chaouachi A., Amri M., Chamari, K. (2016). Agility training in young elite soccer players: promising results compared to change of direction drills. Biology of Sport, 33(4): 345–351. https://doi.org/10.5604%2F20831862.1217924
  7. Craig, T.P., & Swinton, P. (2021). Anthropometric and physical performance profiling does not predict professional contracts awarded in an elite Scottish soccer academy over a 10-year period. European journal of sport science, 21(8): 1101-1110. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2020.1808079
  8. Cuba-Dorado, A., Garcia-Garcia, O., Morales-Sánchez, V., & Hernández-Mendo, A. (2020). The Explanatory Capacity of Talent Identification Tests for Performance in Triathlon Competitions: A Longitudinal Analysis. Journal of Human Kinetics, 75(1): 185-193. https://doi.org/10.2478/hukin-2020-0047
  9. Deprez, D., Buchheit, M., Fransen, J., Pion, J., Lenoir, M., Philippaerts, R. M., & Vaeyens, R. (2015). A Longitudinal Study Investigating the Stability of Anthropometry and Soccer-Specific Endurance in Pubertal High-Level Youth Soccer Players. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine, 14(2): 418-426.
  10. Dodd, K.D., & Newans, T.J. (2018). Talent identification for soccer: Physiological aspects. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 21(10): 1073-1078. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2018.01.009
  11. Dugdale, J.H., Sanders, D., Myers, T., Williams, A.M., & Hunter, A.M. (2021). Progression from youth to professional soccer: A longitudinal study of successful and unsuccessful academy graduates. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 31(S1): 73-84. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.13701
  12. Elferink-Gemser, M.T., Visscher, C., Lemmink, K.A.P.M., & Mulder, T. (2007). Multidimensional performance characteristics and standard of performance in talented youth field hockey players: a longitudinal study. Journal of Sports Sciences, 25(4): 481-489. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640410600719945
  13. Farrow, D. (2013). Developing talent in athletes as complex neurobiological systems. Talent identification and development in sport,
  14. Fragoso, I., Massuca, L., & Ferreira, J. (2015). Effect of birth month on physical fitness of soccer players (Under-15) according to biological maturity. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 36(01): 16-21. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0034-1384548
  15. Fransen, J., Bennett, K.J.M., Woods, C.T., French-Collier, N., Deprez, D., Vaeyens, R., & Lenoir, M. (2017). Modelling age-related changes in motor competence and physical fitness in high-level youth soccer players: implications for talent identification and development. Science and Medicine in Football, 1(3): 203-208. https://doi.org/10.1080/24733938.2017.1366039
  16. Giudicelli, B.B., Luz, L.G.O., Santos, D.H.B., Sarmento, H., Massart, A.G.M., Júnior, A.T.D.C., Adam F., Figueiredo, A.J.B. (2021). Age and Maturity Effects on Morphological and Physical Performance Measures of Adolescent Judo Athletes. Journal of Human Kinetics, 80: 139-151. https://doi.org/10.2478/hukin-2021-0090
  17. Golle, K., Muehlbauer, T., Wick, D., & Granacher, U. (2015). Physical Fitness Percentiles of German Children Aged 9–12 Years: Findings from a Longitudinal Study. PloS One, 10(11): https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0142393
  18. Gonaus, C., & Müller, E. (2012). Using physiological data to predict future career progression in 14- to 17-year-old Austrian soccer academy players. Journal of Sports Sciences, 30(15): 1673-1682. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2012.713980
  19. Heilmann, F., Memmert, D., Weinberg, H., & Lautenbach, F. (2022). The relationship between executive functions and sports experience, relative age effect, as well as physical maturity in youth soccer players of different ages. International journal of sport and exercise psychology, 21(2): 271-289. https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197X.2021.2025141
  20. Kramer, T., Huijgen, B. C. H., Elferink-Gemser, M. T., & Visscher, C. (2016). A Longitudinal Study of Physical Fitness in Elite Junior Tennis Players. Pediatric Exercise Science, 28(4): 553-564. https://doi.org/10.1123/pes.2016-0022
  21. Leyhr, D., Kelava, A., Raabe, J., & Höner, O. (2018). Longitudinal motor performance development in early adolescence and its relationship to adult success: An 8-year prospective study of highly talented soccer players. PloS One, 13(5): e0196324. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0196324
  22. Lidor, R., Falk, B., Arnon, M., & Cohen, Y. (2005). Measurement of talent in team handball: the questionable use of motor and physical tests. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 19(2): 318-325. https://doi.org/10.1519/00124278-200505000-00014
  23. Lidor, R., & Lavyan, N. (2002). A retrospective picture of early sport experiences among elite and near-elite Israeli athletes: developmental and psychological perspectives. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 33(3): 269-289.
  24. Luna-Villouta, P., Paredes-Arias, M., Flores-Rivera, C., Hernández-Mosqueira, C., Souza de Carvalho, R., Faúndez-Casanova, C., Aime V.G., Vargas-Vitoria, R. (2021). Anthropometric Characterization and Physical Performance by Age and Biological Maturation in Young Tennis Players. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(20): 10893. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182010893
  25. Malina, R.M., Reyes, M.P., Eisenmann, J., Horta, L., Rodrigues, J., & Miller, R. (2000). Height, mass and skeletal maturity of elite Portuguese soccer players aged 11–16 years. Journal of Sports Sciences, 18(9): 685-693. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640410050120069
  26. Marceau, K., Ram, N., Houts, R. M., Grimm, K.J., & Susman, E.J. (2011). Individual Differences in Boys’ and Girls’ Timing and Tempo of Puberty: Modeling Development With Nonlinear Growth Models. Developmental Psychology, 47(5): 1389-1409. https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/a0023838
  27. Marshall, W. A., & Tanner, J. M. (1969). Variations in pattern of pubertal changes in girls. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 44(235): 291-303. https://doi.org/10.1136/adc.44.235.291
  28. Matthys, S.P.J., Vaeyens, R., Fransen, J., Deprez, D., Pion, J., Vandendriessche, J., Matthieu L., Philippaerts, R. (2013). A longitudinal study of multidimensional performance characteristics related to physical capacities in youth handball. Journal of Sports Sciences, 31(3): 325-334. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2012.733819
  29. Mirkov, D.M., Kukolj, M., Ugarkovic, D., Koprivica, V.J., & Jaric, S. (2010). Development of anthropometric and physical performance profiles of young elite male soccer players: a longitudinal study. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 24(10): 2677-2682. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e3181e27245
  30. Mirwald, R.L.G., Baxter-Jones, A.D., Bailey, D.A., & Beunen, G.P. (2002). An assessment of maturity from anthropometric measurements. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 34(4): 689-694. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005768-200204000-00020
  31. Mohamed, H., Vaeyens, R., Matthys, S., Multael, M., Lefevre, J., Lenoir, M., & Philippaerts, R. (2009). Anthropometric and performance measures for the development of a talent detection and identification model in youth handball. Journal of Sports Sciences, 27(3): 257-266. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640410802482417
  32. Morais, J.E., Silva, A.J., Marinho, D.A., Lopes, V.P., & Barbosa, T.M. (2017). Determinant Factors of Long-Term Performance Development in Young Swimmers. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 12(2): 198-205. https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.2015-0420
  33. Page, M.J., McKenzie, J.E., Bossuyt, P.M., Boutron, I., Hoffmann, T.C., Mulrow, C.D., Larissa S., Jennifer M.T., Elie A.A., Sue E.B., Roger C., Julie G., Jeremy M.G., Asbjørn H., Manoj M.L., Tianjing L., Elizabeth W.L., Evan M.W., Steve M., Luke A.M., Lesley A.S., James T., Andrea C.T., Vivian A.W., Penny W., David M. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement: an updated guideline for reporting systematic reviews. Systematic reviews, 10(1): 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-021-01626-4
  34. Philippaerts, R.M., Vaeyens, R., Janssens, M., Van Renterghem, B., Matthys, D., Craen, R., Jan B., Jacques V., Guston B., Malina, R.M. (2006). The relationship between peak height velocity and physical performance in youth soccer players. Journal of Sports Sciences, 24(3): 221-230. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640410500189371
  35. Roescher, C.R., Elferink-Gemser, M.T., Huijgen, B.C.H., & Visscher, C. (2010). Soccer endurance development in professionals. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 31(3): 174-179. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0029-1243254
  36. Rowat, O. (2017). Technical and physical determinants of soccer match-play performance in elite youth soccer players. The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, 57(4): 369-379. https://doi.org/10.23736/S0022-4707.16.06093-X
  37. Saward, C., Hulse, M., Morris, J.G., Goto, H., Sunderland, C., & Nevill, M.E. (2020). Longitudinal Physical Development of Future Professional Male Soccer Players: Implications for Talent Identification and Development? Frontiers in Sports and Active Living, 29: 578203. https://doi.org/10.3389/fspor.2020.578203
  38. Shahidi, S.H., Kingsley, J.D., Svensson, M., Taşkiran, M.Y., & Hassani, F. (2021). Training Wiser Instead of Training Harder: A Complex Training Program (CPX). Journal of Health and Sport Sciences, 4(1): 15-18.
  39. Shahidi, S.H., Kingsley, J.D., & Taşkiran, M.Y. (2022). Talent Identification Pathway “Coaches, Family, and Environment Eyes. Journal of Health and Sport Sciences, 5(1): 17-20.
  40. Shamseer, L., Moher, D., Clarke, M., Ghersi, D., Liberati, A., Petticrew, M., Paul S., Whitlock, E. (2015). Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015: elaboration and explanation. BMJ, 349. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.g7647
  41. Sterne, J.A.C., Hernán, M.A., Reeves, B.C., Savović, J., Berkman, N. D., Viswanathan, M., David H., Douglas G.A., Mohammed T.A., Isabelle B., James R.C., An-Wen Chan, Rachel C., Jonathan J.D., Asbjorn H., Jamie K. Peter J., Yoon K.L., Theresa D.P., Craig R.R., Deborah R., Hannah R.R., Lakhbir S., Pasqualina, L.S., Holger, J.S., Beverly, S., Ian S., Peter T., Lucy T., Jeffrey C.V., Hugh W., Elizabeth W., George A.W., Penny F.W., (2016). Risk Of Bias In Non-randomized Studies of Interventions, BMJ, 355. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.i4919
  42. Sterne, J.A.C., Savović, J., Page, M. J., Elbers, R. G., Blencowe, N. S., Boutron, I., Christopher J.C., Hung-Y.C., Mark, S.C., Sandra, M.E., Jonathan, R.E., Miguel, A.H., Sally, H., Asbjorn, H., Daniela, R.J., Peter J., Jamie J K., Toby L., Tianjing, L., Alexandra. M., Barnaby, C.R., Sasha, S., Ian S., Lesley A.S., Kate, T., Ian R.W., Penny, F.W., Higgins, J. P. T. (2019). RoB 2: a revised tool for assessing risk of bias in randomised trials. BMJ, 366. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.l4898
  43. Sterne, J. A. C., Savović, J., Page, M. J., Elbers, R. G., Blencowe, N. S., & Boutron, I. (2019). Cochrane; ROBINS-I_detailed_guidance. Bmj, 366, 1-53.
  44. Till, K., Cobley, S., O'Hara, J., Chapman, C., & Cooke, C. (2013a). An individualized longitudinal approach to monitoring the dynamics of growth and fitness development in adolescent athletes. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, 27(5): 1313-1321. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e31828a1ea7
  45. Till, K., Cobley, S., O'Hara, J., Chapman, C., & Cooke, C. (2013b). A longitudinal evaluation of anthropometric and fitness characteristics in junior rugby league players considering playing position and selection level. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 16(5): 438-443. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2012.09.002
  46. Till, K., Morley, D., O'Hara, J., Jones, B.L., Chapman, C., Beggs, C.B., Carlton, C., Cobley, S. (2017a). A retrospective longitudinal analysis of anthropometric and physical qualities that associate with adult career attainment in junior rugby league players. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 20(11): 1029-1033. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2017.03.018
  47. Till, K., Morley, D., O'Hara, J., Jones, B.L., Chapman, C., Beggs, C.B., Carlton, C., Cobley, S. (2017b). A retrospective longitudinal analysis of anthropometric and physical qualities that associate with adult career attainment in junior rugby league players. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 20(11): 1029--1033. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2017.03.018
  48. Toselli, S., Mauro, M., Grigoletto, A., Cataldi, S., Benedetti, L., Nanni, G., Riccardo D.M., Paolo A., Davide G., Fischetti, F. Gianpiero G. (2022). Maturation Selection Biases and Relative Age Effect in Italian Soccer Players of Different Levels. Biology, 11(11): 1559. https://doi.org/10.3390/biology11111559
  49. Trecroci, A., Longo, S., Perri, E., Iaia, F.M., & Alberti, G. (2019). Field-based physical performance of elite and sub-elite middle-adolescent soccer players. Research in Sports Medicine, 27(1): 60-71. https://doi.org/10.1080/15438627.2018.1504217
  50. Vaeyens, R., Malina, R. M., Janssens, M., Van Renterghem, B., Bourgois, J., Vrijens, J., & Philippaerts, R. M. (2006). A multidisciplinary selection model for youth soccer: the Ghent Youth Soccer Project. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 40(11): 928-928. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.2006.029652
  51. Vandorpe, B., Vandendriessche, J., Vaeyens, R., Pion, J., Matthys, S., Lefevre, J., Renaat P., Lenoir, M. (2012). Relationship between sports participation and the level of motor coordination in childhood: A longitudinal approach. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 15(3): 220-225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2011.09.006
  52. Viero, V., Triossi, T., Bianchi, D., Campagna, A., & Melchiorri, G. (2020). Physical and performance variables for talent identification in water polo. The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness.
  53. Williams, A.M., & Reilly, T. (2000). Talent identification and development in soccer. Journal of Sports Sciences, 18(9), 657-667. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640410050120041
  54. Zuber, C., Zibung, M., & Conzelmann, A. (2016). Holistic patterns as an instrument for predicting the performance of promising young soccer players - A3-years longitudinal study. Frontiers in Psychology, 7: 1088-1088. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640410050120041