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The relative age effect is a well-researched phenomenon, however there is still a dearth of understanding in track and field and female sport. This study investigated the role of relative age on selection for international competition of Spanish age group athletes between 2006-2014. Six hundred and forty two athletes competed for Spain at U20 or U18 age group international competition (n = 359 males; 283 females) across 9 years. The birthdates of these athletes were compared against the population of registered athletes at that time (14,502 males; 10,096 females). The results highlighted the influential role of relative age on selection to these opportunities. In line with previous research, this effect was mediated by age and gender, with stronger effects for both males and younger athletes (U18). The data best supported the 'maturation-selection' hypothesis as a mechanism for RAEs. These results highlight the need to carefully consider the role and need for international competitive opportunities at different age groups. A number of possible context relevant solutions are discussed, including correction adjustments techniques and competition structure within track and field.

This study aimed to translate the Talent Development Environment Questionnaire into Spanish and provide an initial validation. A recommended methodology for translation and cultural adaptation of questionnaires was applied. Once this had been completed, three hundred and thirty-two young athletes completed the Talent Development Environment Questionnaire. The results revealed that the five factor solution Talent Development Environment Questionnaire was confirmed. With the exclusion of one item due to low factor loading, the Talent Development Environment Questionnaire-5 had robust statistical support for its factor structure (χ2 (df = 305) = 499.64, p

The transformation of talented youngsters into senior world-beaters is a topic of interest for practitioners and researchers alike. Unfortunately there is a dearth of research to guide the optimization of this process. Accordingly, this paper offers an overview of key themes apparent in the literature that have relevance to the effective development of talent. The five key generic features that emerge consistently include long-term aims and methods; wide ranging coherent messages and support; emphasis on appropriate development rather than early selection; individualized and ongoing development; and finally, integrated, holistic, and systematic development. In addition to the review, exemplars of current worldwide practice are used to further highlight both the need and direction for further research and more broad education of an effective talent development model. (Contains 1 figure.)

Objective/Background: Parents have been shown to be highly influential in the development of sporting talent, however the relationship between sibling characteristics and talent development is comparatively under-researched. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the associations between athlete skill level, birth order, sibling's participation, and achievement in sport in the UK. Materials and Methods: The methodology by Hopwood et al. (2015) was followed for the purpose of the current study One hundred and eight UK based athletes competing at three different skill levels (elite, pre-elite, non-elite) divided according to the Athlete Development Triangle (Gulbin et al., 2010) reported data concerning their own and siblings' participation in sports using the Developmental History of Athletes Questionnaire (Hopwood, 2013). A Pearson's chi-square test for independence was used to assess skill level differences in categorical independent variables. Results: Results reinforced previous findings from Hopwood et al. (2015) demonstrating that elite athletes were more likely to be later-born siblings, than pre-elite and non-elite athletes (p = .007). Elite athletes were also more likely to have siblings who were involved in competitive sport (p = .005), competed at elite level (p = .001) in the same sport (p < .001) than siblings of pre-elite and non-elite athletes. Conclusions: The findings revealed that siblings may influence the development of sporting talent and involvement in sport by facilitating the growth of key psychological characteristics and providing additional support and opportunities. Therefore, incorporating those relationships within talent development environments coupled with the concept of role models could be a positive influence aiding towards effective talent development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is scarcity of research examining the physiological and psychological effects of ultra-endurance racing on athletes in extreme conditions. The purpose of the current study was to identify common injury patterns and illness, profile mood states and sleep patterns and finally examine the relationships between mental toughness, sleep, mood and injury rates during a 120 mile, three-day Arctic ultra-marathon. Twelve participants (3 females, 9 males) with a mean age of 42 ± 5.35 yrs participated in the study. Mental toughness was measured using the MT18 questionnaire. Injuries were clinically assessed and recorded each day. Temperatures ranged from −20 to −6 degrees Celsius throughout the race. Sleep quantity and mood state were recorded using the BRUMS questionnaire. 10 out of the 12 participants experienced injuries; almost half of the participants had injuries that carried over a number of days. Mean sleep duration over the three days was 4.07 h, with an average of 0.78 injuries per day. Significant changes in mood were recorded across the three days, specifically a reduction in vigour (p =.029) and increase in fatigue (p =.014). Neither sleep quantity nor mental toughness was correlated with injury rate. Interestingly, sleep quantity was not related to changes in mood, as previously shown in ultra-marathons. Mental toughness had a moderate negative correlation (p < 0.01) with depression (−.623), reduced anger (−.616), confusion (−.558), increased vigour (.497) and tension (−.420) during the race. Success in this type of event involves significant psychological and physiological preparation to minimize the effects of sleep deprivation and avoidance of injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Examining the influence of the talent development environment on athletes is crucial for understanding sport participation and the identifying the characteristics of effective talent development. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to explore the relationship between the talent development environment and youth athletes' goals, life aspirations, commitment, and confidence. Methods: One hundred and twenty-six development Greek athletes aged 12 - 17completed a combination of five questionnaires(Talent Development Environment Questionnaire, Basic Psychological Needs Scale, Achievement Goal in Sport Questionnaire, Life Aspiration Inventory, and Mental Toughness Questionnaire)that measured the key environmental and personal characteristics in question. The data analysis included descriptive statistics, correlation, internal consistency, and hierarchical regressions. Results: Long-term development focus was a positive predictor of intrinsic goals (p=.04) and was associated, positively and negatively respectively, with relatedness and mastery-avoidance goals (p<.05). Lack of quality preparation predicted extrinsic goals (p<.01) and mastery-avoidance goals (p<0.01) but was negatively related with mastery-approach goals (p<.05). Long-term fundamentals predicted commitment (p<.05) and communication was positively associated with relatedness, but negatively related to extrinsic goals (p=.02) and mastery avoidance goals (p<.05). A mastery-approach promoted intrinsic goals (p<.04) and performance-avoidance orientation predicted extrinsic goals (p<.01).However, interestingly the environment did not predict confidence. Conclusions: Implications regarding the types of environments to facilitate successful development of young athletes were presented to provide coaches, teachers, and parents with the knowledge for effective talent development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High rates of occupational training-related lower-limb musculoskeletal (MSK) overuse injuries are reported for British Army recruits during basic training. Foot drill is a repetitive impact loading occupational activity and involves striking the ground violently with an extended-knee (straight-leg) landing. Foot drill produces vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) equal to or greater than those reported for high-level plyometric exercises/activities. Shock absorbing footwear aid in the attenuation of the magnitude of vGRF, resulting in a reduced risk of lower-limb MSK overuse injury when running. The potential shock absorbing characteristics of standard issue British Army footwear on the magnitude of vGRF and temporal parameters of foot drill are scant. Therefore, this study sought to determine the magnitude of and examine changes in vGRF and temporal parameters of foot drill across 3 types of British Army footwear. Sampled at 1,000 Hz, the mean of 8 trials from 15 recreationally active men were collected from 4 foot drills; stand-at-ease, stand-at-attention, quick-march (QM), and halt. Analysis of a normal walk was included to act as a comparison with QM. Significant main effects (P ≤ 0.05) were observed between footwear and foot drill. The training shoe (TR) demonstrated significantly greater shock absorbing capabilities when compared with the combat boot and ammunition boot. Foot drill produced peak vGRF and peak vertical rate of force development in excess of 5 bw, and 350 bw·s, respectively. Time to peak vGRF ranged from 0.016 to 0.036 ms across foot drills, indicating that passive vGRF may not be under neuromuscular control. The marginal reductions in the magnitude of vGRF and temporal parameters in foot drill associated with the TR may act to reduce the accumulative impact loading forces experienced by recruits, subsequently minimizing the severity and rates of lower-limb MSK overuse injuries and recruit medical discharges during basic training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies the theory of dislocation blocking in strained-layer heterostructures. Use of scanning cathodoluminescence microscopy techniques to image the misfit dislocations; Confirmation of the model proposed by L.B. Freund.

The relative age effect is a well-researched phenomenon, however there is still a dearth of understanding in track and field and female sport. This study investigated the role of relative age on selection for international competition of Spanish age group athletes between 2006–2014. Six hundred and forty two athletes competed for Spain at U20 or U18 age group international competition (n = 359 males; 283 females) across 9 years. The birthdates of these athletes were compared against the population of registered athletes at that time (14,502 males; 10,096 females). The results highlighted the influential role of relative age on selection to these opportunities. In line with previous research, this effect was mediated by age and gender, with stronger effects for both males and younger athletes (U18). The data best supported the ‘maturation-selection’ hypothesis as a mechanism for RAEs. These results highlight the need to carefully consider the role and need for international competitive opportunities at different age groups. A number of possible context relevant solutions are discussed, including correction adjustments techniques and competition structure within track and field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the impact of relative age effect (RAE) on selection to the Spanish National Athletics Federation (RFEA) training camps (TC) between 2006 and 2013. Overall, 1,334 selected athletes at U15 years (cadet) and U17 years (juvenile) were compared against 27,711 licensed but unselected athletes for the same age groups. The results highlighted the influential role of the RAE on selection to national level track and field training camp opportunities. Interestingly, this effect was mediated by age and gender, where effects were stronger for both males and younger athletes (U15), with no evidence of RAE for older (U17) female athletes. These results support the "maturation-selection" hypothesis as a mechanism for RAE. Particularly given the long-term goals of RFEA (e.g., production of successful senior elite athletes), these results highlight the need to consider the impact of current selection processes on effective provision of opportunities to those athletes with most potential to succeed in the long term. A number of possible context-relevant solutions are discussed, including education and awareness raising, using holistic selection criteria and correction adjustments techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to translate the Talent Development Environment Questionnaire into Spanish and provide an initial validation. A recommended methodology for translation and cultural adaptation of questionnaires was applied. Once this had been completed, three hundred and thirty-two young athletes completed the Talent Development Environment Questionnaire. The results revealed that the five factor solution Talent Development Environment Questionnaire was confirmed. With the exclusion of one item due to low factor loading, the Talent Development Environment Questionnaire-5 had robust statistical support for its factor structure (χ2 (df = 305) = 499.64, p<0.01, CFI = 0.90, RMSEA = 0.045, SRMR = 0.055). It also demonstrated adequate convergent and discriminant validity. While the internal reliability was lower than in previous studies, it revealed acceptable levels. Specifically the overall 27 item Talent Development Environment Questionnaire-5 had a Cronbach α score of .877, and the reliability scores for individual factors 1–5 were .622; .761; .658; .605; .602 respectively. As such, it is recommended that the Spanish Talent Development Environment Questionnaire-5 can be used with confidence in Spain in both applied and research settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical and psychological differences related to birthdate amongst athletes of the same selection year have been characterised as the “relative age effects” (RAEs). RAEs have been identified in a variety of sports, both at youth and adult level, and are linked with dropout of athletes and a reduction of the talent pool. This study examined the existence, mechanisms and possible solutions to RAEs using qualitative methodology. Seven experts in the field of talent identification and development were interviewed. Inductive analysis of the data showed that, while there was mixed evidence for the existence of RAEs across sports, the eradication of RAEs was attributed to controllable features of the development environment. The factors reported included the structure of “categories” used to group athletes within the sport (e.g. age, weight, size, skills), recognition and prioritisation of long-term development over “short term win focus.” Education of relevant parties (e.g. coaches, scouts, clubs) about RAEs and the nature of “talent” within a long-term context was suggested, along with careful consideration of the structure of the development environment (e.g. delayed selection, provision for late developers, focus on skills not results, use of challenge). Implications for research and practice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A simplified procedure for analysis of flat plate structures is presented. The results obtained from this analysis are utilized to control behavior in the structure virtually throughout the loading range. The end result is a simple method for directly designing flat plate structures both of reinforced concrete and prestressed concrete, allowing optimum behavior and maximum material economy to be directly obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]