Talent identification in gymnastics : an individual and multidimensional approach

Louer, L. (Lisa) (2013) Talent identification in gymnastics : an individual and multidimensional approach. thesis, Human Movement Sciences.

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Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify individual differences of talented gymnasts with a multidimensional and individual approach. Twenty-two female gymnasts in the age of 6-8 years participated in this study. A multidimensional test battery was conducted to measure anthropometry, physiological and psychological characteristics. Gymnasts were divided by their potential level of performance at age categories 11pupil2" and 11Senior", based on the judgment of five coaches. Two gymnasts were judged as being potential elite gymnast, the remaining twenty gymnasts as being potential sub-elite gymnasts. The results showed no major differences regarding anthropometry and the two potential elite gymnasts outscored the potential sub-elite gymnasts on almost all physiological tests. Both potential elite gymnasts scored high on motor coordination (physical characteristic with predictive value of performance 2 years later) and practiced more creative (psychological characteristic) compared to potential sub-elite gymnasts. The main differences between the best and second best potential elite gymnast were the superior performance of the best potential elite gymnast on the TOL-test and the time spent practicing gymnastic related activities (both psychological characteristics). Currently, the interpretation of these psychological characteristics related to level of performance and whether these could be characteristics of talented athletes remains unclear. Future research should be focused on the role of psychological characteristics in talented gymnasts, thereby using a multidimensional, individual approach and take also into account the potential of a gymnasts.

Item Type:	Thesis (Thesis)
Supervisor name:	Supervisor: and Elferink-Gemser, dr. M.T. and University of Groningen and Centre for Human Movement Sciences
Faculty:	Medical Sciences
Date Deposited:	25 Jun 2020 10:51
Last Modified:	25 Jun 2020 10:51
URI:	https://umcg.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/1185

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