Heymans Colloquium, dr. A. Elbe, Athletic Talent Selection and Development: A Sport Psychological Perspective

LECTURER Dr. Anne-Marie Elbe (Associate Professor, Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, University of Copenhagen, Denmark)

TITLE Athletic Talent Selection and Development: A Sport Psychological Perspective

DATE & TIME Tuesday, 1 October 2013, 16.00 – 18.00 hrs

LOCATION Room M.0074, Munting building, Grote Kruisstraat 2/1, Groningen

ABSTRACT Talent selection and development are hotly discussed topics in many sport science disciplines and research aims at providing answers to the questions of how to best select and develop future elite athletes. In order to do this it is important to define athletic talent, to illustrate in which ways psychological factors are important for sport performance as well as critically discuss the relevance of these psychological factors for talent selection. In general, talent development follows a talent selection process, however, there are different models of how to best develop athletic talents once they are selected (e.g early specialization versus early diversification). Data from a retrospective career development study conducted with Danish elite athletes will shed light on this question. Additionally, studies will be presented indicating that psychological factors important for sport performance can be trained in young athletes. Lastly, the question which impact elite sport s! chools h ave on young elite athlete’s personality development will be discussed. In conclusion, some recommendations as well as future research perspectives for athletic talent development will be presented Implications for self-regulation during individual and group action are discussed.

For more information you may contact dr. S. (Sabine) Otten, email address: s.otten rug.nl