ECSS Paris 2023: CP-AP11
INTRODUCTION: The ratio between the lengths of the index and ring fingers (2D:4D) defined as a biological indicator for athletic performance; it is considered a potential marker for prenatal testosterone exposure. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between 2D:4D ratios, physical fitness, and specific soccer skill in young male soccer players. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-two young male soccer players aged 13-15 years old were recruited for participation and categorized according to three distinct playing positions: defenders, midfielders, and forwards. Anthropometric profiles, including height, weight, body fat percentage, and 2D:4D finger length ratio, were evaluated. Furthermore, acceleration ability; 10m, 20m, and 30m sprint; VO2max; Yo-Yo intermittent level-1 test; and change of direction; arrowhead agility tests were assessed. We used the Loughborough soccer passing and dribbling protocol to measure each player’s soccer-specific performance. RESULTS: A significant positive correlation between the right and left digits’ ratios (r = 0.644, p < 0.001) was observed, indicating a strong linear relationship. The analysis revealed that the 2D:4D ratio of both hands demonstrated no significant differences between playing positions. Furthermore, arrowhead agility tests showed a weakly positive, correlation with right 2D:4D (r = 0.251, p = 0.004). Moreover, we detected strong significant correlations between agility and acceleration ability (10m; r = 0.750, 20m; r = 0.763, and 30m; r = 0.760). The associations between both right and left 2D:4D and 10m, 20m, and 30-m sprint times were statistically insignificant. We observed that the VO2max had a weakly negative correlation with dribbling time (r = −0.257, p = 0.003) and a positive correlation with long passing capacity (r = 0.312, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our results provide strong evidence regarding the utility of the 2D:4D ratio in the identification of talent and performance optimization of young male soccer players. Our detection of the strong correlation of the 2D:4D ratio with change of direction ability and aerobic endurance can also ultimately serve as a key predictor of passing and dribbling performance in young male athletes.
Read CV Chanawat SanpasittECSS Paris 2023: CP-AP11
INTRODUCTION: Besides athletes’ physical and mental long-term development, talent identification and development (TID) rely on a complex interaction between different stakeholders [1]. Three key stakeholders – parents, youth coaches, and national team coaches – have been identified. The alignment of the stakeholders’ views on TID requires a better understanding of how each stakeholder perceives key constructs of talent identification and development, such as sport specialization and selection, training, athlete development, youth and adult success, and the role of stakeholders [2], and the coherence of this understanding, remains insufficiently explored. The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge of these three stakeholder groups regarding the principles of TID in German youth ice hockey. Specifically, the study investigated (1) occurrence and magnitude of either agreement or disagreement between the different stakeholders and (2) whether there is sufficient consensus among the stakeholders in order to guarantee TID. METHODS: A total of 138 stakeholders, divided into three groups: parents (n=107), youth coaches (n=22), and national team coaches (n=9), completed an online questionnaire (adapted from Pankhurst et al., 2013 [1]) comprising 33 items in five subcategories (sport specialization and selection, training, athlete development, youth and adult success, and the role of stakeholders) that asked participants to rate their degree of agreement or disagreement with researched principles of TID on a 6-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree; 6 = strongly agree). RESULTS: The results indicate that 30 out of 33 items received an overall agreement (>3) from over 50% of the participants. Two items in the construct of youth and adult success (24.4 % and 26.4%) and one item in the construct of athlete development (31.1%) only received low agreement ratings. The highest overall percentage of agreements were observed in the construct of training, while the lowest occurred in the construct of youth and adult success. There were no significant differences between the three groups, except for two out of 33 items (item 4 in subcategory the role of stakeholders p=0.03; item 2 in subcategory sport specialization and selection; p=0.03), where the national team coaches showed a significant higher level of agreement with the principles of TID compared to the other groups. CONCLUSION: Parents, youth coaches, and national team coaches in German youth ice hockey mostly, but not entirely, agree with the principles of TID research. In contrast to further research in other sports [1], there is a broad consensus among the investigated groups. However, recognizing the agreements and disagreements is only the first step. Further research is needed to gain a better understanding of how to achieve stakeholder alignment in the process of TID. References: [1] Pankhurst, A. et al., J Sports Sci. 2012 [2] Pankhurst, A., Collins, D. Quest. 2013
Read CV Florian MickeECSS Paris 2023: CP-AP11
INTRODUCTION: In addition to motor skills and psychological factors, the social environment is a common and relevant topic in identifying talent in sport (1). The most studies focus on predictive values for talent identification in clubs or junior sports performance centers. Mostly unknown is the influence of sports socialisation on motor skill performance in talent identification in school. The aim of this study was to analyse the relationship of different social factors on motor skill performance in talent identification in school children. METHODS: A total of 106 pupils (63 male, 43 female) aged 10-12 years from two regular schools in Germany were investigated. A standardised test battery (Deutscher Motorik-Test 6-18) was used to assess motor skill performance. Data including sports socialisation in the family environment (eg. sports activity of parents and siblings) and the extent and membership of sports activities outside of school were collected by a basic questionnaire. A correlation analysis (eta coefficient and Spearman) was performed to detect relationships of the sports socialisation and motor skill performance. RESULTS: The Spearman correlation analyses showed a moderate effect between the total score for motor skill performance and the parents sports activity for the entire sample (r=0.260, p=0.010). Additionally, the eta coefficient demonstrated a moderate effect between sports activity of the siblings (r=0.277, p=0.009) as well as club membership (r=0.295, p=0.003) and the total score of the motor skill performance test. No correlation was found between the amount of time spent on sports activities outside school and motor skill performance, as indicated by the Spearman correlation analyses. CONCLUSION: The results show a moderate correlation between motor skill performance and the sports activity of both parents and siblings. Pupils with active parents and siblings in sports demonstrated higher overall sports performance (total score). In addition, pupils who were in sports clubs achieved better results. The results highlight the impact of the social environment on the sport performance of pupils in school. These results align with previous studies (1). The sports socialisation of pupils is a pertinent aspect in identifying sports talent in school. For this reason, sports socialisation should be given more consideration in the identification of sports talent in future studies. (1) Xiang et al. (2023). Structural analysis of environmental factors of sports talent development.
Read CV Nele SökerECSS Paris 2023: CP-AP11