The Flemish Sports Compass: from sports orientation to elite performance prediction

The road from beginner to sports champion is a long and unpredictable one. Therefore, choosing a sport that fits their individual characteristics is essential for children to keep them involved in sports. The Flemish Sports Compass is a generic test battery designed to advise children in their sports choice. The test battery includes anthropometric, physical and motor performance measurements and it has the special quality that, in addition to talent detection and talent orientation, it also enhances various derivative test batteries for talent identification. The Flemish Sports Compass consists of field tests appliable in both elementary schools children and in Flemish elite sport schools. On the one hand it is possible to discriminate between different performance levels and on the other this test battery has te ability to detect sport-specific characteristics of an individual. First part of this doctoral dissertation consists of two introductory chapters. The first chapter provides an overview of definitions, theoretical talent models and practical talent systems. The second chapter explains the rationale and the design of the Flemish Sports Compass and displays the preliminary studies for designing the Flemish Sports Compass. In the second part of this dissertation, six original studies are reported. The first study highlights the potential of the Flemish Sports Compass for primary school children. In this study the differences between the sport specific profiles are less pronounced than in the second and the third study, which measured respectively the students of the Flemish elite sport schools and promising athletes of different sports federations. The first three studies indicated that the generic test battery can be deployed on beginners (talent detection) as well as elite athletes (talent identification). The fourth study, with increased specificity, indicates that the generic tests of the Flemish Sports Compass also are able to distinguish between medallists in international competitions and subelite volleyball players. The talent characteristics measured by the Flemish Sports Compass are not only good at predicting and identifying elite level, they also predict attrition in sport. In the fifth study, survival analysis was applied. Parallel to the methods used in medical science where examining the outcome of medication on the participants life expectations is the main goal, survival chances of athletes were calculated in our fifth study. The last study indicated the importance of predictive analytics of a generic test battery. It was shown that artificial neural networks reduce the risk of missing gifted athletes, when selecting the high potential athletes and how the cost of talent development can be reduced without losing talents. In the third part of this dissertation results are discussed and critical reflections and recommendations are given. The different studies provide opportunities to develop a specific talent system for a small country. Flanders’ disadvantage is, that it is hard to compete with giant nations such as China, Russia and the United States. However, the disadvantage of being small is an advantage at the same time. Smallness reduces the risk of missing one single talent. A coordinated approach is necessary, because implementing different talent programs in every single sports federation leads to fragmentation of the scarce resources. First steps have been made by starting up the Flemish sports compass project. Cooperation is the key for small countries. Talent detection in primary schools is the first step to be taken. The advantages are various and children learn to make choices, which is beneficial for their autonomy and competence. Children have different reasons for practicing sports. Some are interested in competition some are not and a few believe in their chances to win medals for their country. Whatever the underlying motivation, we assume that children choose their appropriate sport, although it is obvious that also the sport chooses the child, because the sport demands specific characteristics. This doctoral dissertation intends to to formulate a scientifically based proposal for the implementation of the Flemish Sports Compass. Undermentioned you find the detailed report

Anthropometry, physical performance, and motor coordination of medallist and non-medallist young fencers

Background and Study Aim: Fencing is a sport that relies on a complex intra play of numerous performance characteristics. Evaluation of these characteristics is important in the field of talent identification and talent development. Multidimensional test batteries have proven their value in different sports. The present study aimed to identify anthropometric, physical performance and motor coordination characteristics that discriminate medallist and non-medallist fencers. Material and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 83 young fencers (21 national medallists, 62 non-medallist) between 11 and 16 years old were tested in 2010-2015 using a test battery consisting of four anthropometrical, nine physical performance and three motor coordination tests. The fencers were divided into two groups (medallist and non-medallist at national youth championships). First, descriptive analysis explained their general score (means) for anthropometric, physical performance and motor coordination. Second, MANCOVA (multivariate analysis of covariance) was used to explain to what extent the two groups were different from each other, taking into account the effect of maturity (age at peak height velocity - APHV) and calendar age (CA). Results: Generally, the results showed no differences between medallist and non-medallist fencers in anthropometry, physical performance and motor coordination. APHV significantly affected anthropometry and several strength, speed and explosivity variables. Chronological age affected nearly all indicators of anthropometry, physical performance, and motor coordination. MANCOVA, correcting for APHV and CA showed no significant difference for anthropometric, physical performances and motor coordination between medallist and non-medallist fencers. Conclusions: This study a shows a significant effect of APHV and chronological age in anthropometric, physical performance and motor coordination among young fencers. The possibility that only taking into account anthropometry, physical performance, and motor coordination of young fencers in the talent identification process is limited due to the complexity of fencing is discussed

The relationship between sport-specific training and a perceptuo-motor skills assessment as part of talent identification in young table tennis players (8-10 years)

A perceptuo-motor skills assessment was developed to better estimate the potential of youth table tennis players (8-10 years). Sport-specific training experience might influence the outcomes of this assessment and hinder a fair interpretation. Consequently, the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the training experience (i.e. quantity and quality) and the perceptuo-motor skills assessment outcomes in youth table tennis players. For this purpose, data were collected during the national association’s talent days in the Netherlands (2010-2015). In total, 372 young table tennis players (8-10 years) were assessed by a perceptuo-motor skills questionnaire covering current training (hours/week), total training volume (hours) and quality of the trainer (high versus low). Non-parametric partial correlation analyses showed that training quantity outcomes (i.e. current training and training volume) are significantly associated with the test items of speed while dribbling, aiming at target and eye-hand coordination in both sexes with small to medium effect sizes. The multivariate GLM analyses revealed no significant differences between players receiving high versus low quality training regarding the perceptuo-motor skills assessment. The results indicated only a small transfer of skill and a substantial amount of task specificity; as such it seems legitimate to use the perceptuo-motor skills assessment as part of a talent identification programme. However, it seems sensible to take the training volume into account for a fair interpretation of the estimation of potential, especially when large differences exist between players regarding the training experience. Future studies using a longitudinal design could reveal more about the effect of training

The benefits of the 5-week Table Stars @school program as part of physical education in primary schools – A pilot intervention study

The Table Stars @school program was launched in 2010 to serve as a first introduction to table tennis in primary school children. The main aims of this pilot intervention study were 1. to evaluate the effect of Table Stars @school on the perceptuo-motor skills and selective attention in primary school children in comparison to regular physical education and 2. to find out how many and which children benefited more from Table Stars @school compared to regular physical education. A pilot intervention study was carried out including 177 children between 6 to 12 years from two regular primary schools. All children were tested by means of four perceptuo-motor tests (static balance, walking backwards, speed while dribbling, eye hand coordination) and a selective attention task (map mission). Both schools were exposed to both the Table Stars @school program and regular physical education in a different order. The results revealed no differences between the regular physical education classes and the Table Stars @school program on group level. However, both interventions showed different responders. Consequently, Table Stars @school seems to fit in as it meets the level of improvement of regular physical education classes and it can be of added value by addressing other children to improve perceptuo-motor skills and selective attention. Nevertheless, intensifying the program and/or integrating it into regular physical education is recommended to increase the effects and better add to the broader development of children

Predicting judo champions and medallists using statistical modelling

Background and Study Aim: In the past decade, several studies have convincingly demonstrated that the identification of characteristics in young children can form a solid basis to identify those subjects with the most chance to excel at the international competition level. The present study aims to predict the performance of young male judo athletes with linear and non-linear predictive statistical models. It is hypothesized that a non-sport specific test battery will allocate athletes to their best achievement level at least three years past baseline. Material and Methods: In this retrospective cross-sectional study, 22 trained male Belgian judo athletes U14 (12.675 +/- 0.910 years) were tested in 2009-2011 using a generic test battery consisting of five anthropometrical, seven physical performance and three motor coordination tests. In 2016 they were allocated to one of three groups depending on their achievement level between 2013-2015. First, Kruskal-Wallis was used to discover indicators that significantly differ across the three groups sampled by achievements. Second, linear discriminant analysis (LDA) was applied to discriminate the participants and allocate them to their respective achievement level. Results: The Kruskal-Wallis test showed significant differences for three indicators (sitting height, weight, Body Mass Index). Using all indicators, discriminant analysis correctly classified 95.5% of the participants. Only 36.4% of cross-validated grouped cases were correctly classified based on all indicators. Therefore, a sequential discriminant analysis, containing the significant tests (three indicators) was applied to improve the cross-validated model from 36.4% to 59.1%. Using all indicators makes the model stronger but using a limited number of indicators makes it easier to assign athletes to the right group. Conclusions: Generic talent characteristics (anthropometry) included in the present study allow for a successful discrimination between drop out, sub-elite and elite judo athletes. In addition to the trainer's opinion and the individual screening of judo specific performance characteristics, this generic test battery provides opportunities for predicting judo performance of young athletes

Is the level of eye-hand coordination and executive functioning related to performance in para table tennis players? – An explorative study

The goal of this explorative study was to explore whether eye-hand coordination and executive functions (i.e. cognitive flexibility, attention control and information processing) are related to the performance level in para table tennis players. The data of 11 elite (age 15-54) and 11 non-elite para table tennis players (age 13-49) were analyzed. The results showed that the elite players performed better than the median norm values for cognitive flexibility and attention control while the non-elite players demonstrated slower information processing than the median norm values (p 1000 points scored ≥ 24 catches per 30 s in the eye hand coordination task, whereas the players with 1000 and < 1000 rating scores in the executive functions tests. The results present a first profile of para table tennis players regarding their eye-hand coordination and executive functions and the relationship of these constructs with the performance level. Long-term international cooperation is recommended to understand the value of the measured constructs to predict future successes

Performance characteristics of selected/deselected under 11 players from a professional youth football academy

This study aimed to determine whether players selected for the under 11 team of a professional youth football academy outperform their deselected peers in physical, technical and gross motor coordination skills, or in psycho-social capacities. Of the young players active at different amateur clubs yearly 2% were scouted to participate at trainings and matches from an academy before the first objective baseline testing (season 1 n = 54 boys, season 2 n = 49, age: 9.25 +/- 0.46). Most of the scouted players (n = 103) were born in the first quarter of the year (47.6%) and started playing football at a young age (4.80 +/- 0.84). Mann-Whitney U tests showed that the selected under 11 players (n = 31) from the reduced pool outperformed their deselected peers (n = 72) in the 30-m slalom sprint, dribble test and Loughborough soccer passing test, and on sport learning-, motor-, creative- and interpersonal capacity (P <0.05). A discriminant analysis resulted in a significant discriminant function (Wilks' ? = 0.673, df = 16 and P = 0.002) with 69.6% of players classified correctly. In sum, the current system, tends to scout 9-year old soccer players with multiple years of soccer experience, and well-developed motor skills, who are predominantly born in the first quarter of the year. Of those players, the ones with better physical and technical skills, who are believed to have most potential to become elite in the future are selected. However, 25 of the players with a high probability of being selected were deselected. Whether this system is appropriate serves a broader ethical discussion within contemporary society

Similarities and differences between sports subserving systematic talent transfer and development : the case of paddle sports

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate similarities and differences for 18 sports toward canoe/kayak in order to identify donorsport and/or multisports, based upon a systematic analysis of the task constraints per sport that are assumed to be either crucial or less important from the coaches' viewpoint. Design: Descriptive survey analysis. Methods: 891 certified coaches from 19 sports valued (0-10; not important at all-very important) 15 characteristics by a questionnaire (Flemish Sports Compass) within their sport. Unique sport-profiles (discriminant analysis - DA) were constructed for 19 sports based on these characteristics. Similarities and differences between canoe/kayak and the other 18 sports were analyzed by means of MANOVAs on anthropometric, physical and motor coordination characteristics. Results: Cross validated DA (rcan = 0.660, Wilks' Lambda = 0.564, p < 0.001) showed that 72.1% of the canoe/kayak coaches were correctly assigned to their sport. For canoe/kayak seven characteristics were valued crucial; dynamic balance (8.51 1.69), core stability (8.45 2.27), pulling power (8.12 +/- 1.68), speed (7.54 +/- 2.07), endurance (7.27 +/- 2.03), stature (6.43 +/- 1.41) and rhythm (6.01 +/- 3.01). Least important characteristics were: flexibility (6.16 +/- 1.75), agility (4.27 +/- 3.10), catching (3.90 +/- 3.22), climbing (2.45 +/- 3.05), jumping (1.81 +/- 2.11), throwing (1.60 +/- 2.24), hitting (.94 +/- 1.77) and kicking (.61 +/- 1.04). Conclusions: This novel approach to determine important characteristics per sport makes identifying similarities and differences between sports possible. Similarities might enlarge talent-pools for possible talent transfers. Differences can help identify sports based on complementary characteristics for the construction of broad motor development programs. From this viewpoint gymnastics can serve as potential donorsport (similarities) for canoe/kayak, while handball and tennis can subserve broad development for young canoe/kayak athletes. (C) 2020 Sports Medicine Australia. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license

Anthropometric Characteristics, Physical Fitness and Motor Coordination of 9 to 11 Year Old Children Participating in a Wide Range of Sports

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate to what extent 9 to 11 year old children participating in a specific sport already exhibit a specific anthropometric, physical fitness and motor coordination profile, in line with the requirements of that particular sport. In addition, the profiles in children with a different training volume were compared and possible differences in training hours per week between children from a low, moderate, and high level of physical fitness and motor coordination were investigated.Methods and resultsData of 620 children, 347 boys and 273 girls, who participated in the Flemish Sports Compass were used. Only the primary sport of each child was considered and six groups of sports (Ball sports, Dance, Gymnastics, Martial arts, Racquet sports and Swimming) were formed based on common characteristics. Measurements consisted of 17 tests. Independent T-tests and Mann-Whitney U-tests revealed few differences between the groups of sports and the discriminant analyses with the moderate and low active group did not show any significant results (p > .05). However, when discriminating among the high active children, a 85.2 % correct classification between six groups of sports was found (Wilks' Λ = .137 and p DiscussionThe study showed that in general, children at a young age do not exhibit sport-specific characteristics, except in children with a high training volume. It is possible that on the one hand, children have not spent enough time yet in their sport to develop sport-specific qualities. On the other hand, it could be possible that they do not take individual qualities into account when choosing a sport

A coaches’ perspective on the contribution of anthropometry, physical performance, and motor coordination in racquet sports

Differences and similarities between table tennis and other racquet sports exist, but are not well documented in the literature, in spite of the relevance for talent identification. In this study we aimed at identifying the key characteristics of table tennis in comparison with tennis and badminton based upon a survey in coaches. A total of 177 licensed coaches from all across the world and with diverse professional backgrounds completed a survey on anthropometric measures, physical performance, and motor coordination skills. On a scale from 1 to 10, coaches indicated to what extent a talent characteristic was important for their sport. MANOVA identified key differences as well as similarities between all three racquet sports and a subsequent discriminant analysis allocated coaches correctly for table tennis, tennis, and badminton 81.01%, 55.6%, and 71.4% respectively. Our results show that table tennis and other racquet sport coaches are well aware of differences between the racquet sports and also the importance and value of testing and assortment of skill components. These findings can assist coaches in future talent orientation and transfer in racquet sports