| 1. |
- Henriksen, Kristoffer, et al.
(author)
-
Holistic approach to Athletic Talent Development Environments : A successful sailing milieu
- 2010
-
In: Psychology of Sport And Exercise. - Amsterdam : Elsevier. - 1469-0292 .- 1878-5476. ; 11:3, s. 212-222
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives. Research into the discovery and development of athletic talent has tended to focus on the individual athlete. This study assumes a holistic ecological approach; it focuses on the overall athletic talent development environment (ATDE), presents an analysis of one particular ATDE (the Danish national 49er sailing team) and examines key factors behind its success in creating top athletes. To guide the project, two working models were developed. The ATDE working model serves to describe the environment’s components and structure. The environmental success factors (ESF) working model serves to structure factors contributing to the environment’s success.Method. The research takes the form of a case study. Data were collected from multiple perspectives (in-depth interviews with administrators, coaches and athletes), from multiple situations (observation of training, competitions and meetings) and from the analysis of documents.Results. Empirical versions of the ATDE and ESF models were developed of the investigated environment, which was characterized by a high degree of cohesion, with the relationship between current and prospective elite athletes at its core. A lack of resources was compensated for by a strong organizational culture, characterized by values of open co-operation, individual responsibility and a focus on performance process.Conclusions. The research concluded that the holistic ecological approach constitutes an important supplement to the contemporary literature on athletic talent and career development, that further studies of specific environments are needed to establish the common features of successful ATDEs and that practitioners should look beyond the individual in their attempts to nurture sporting excellence.
|
|
| 2. |
|
|
| 3. |
- Henriksen, Kristoffer, et al.
(author)
-
Riding the wave of an expert : A successful talent development environment in kayaking
- 2011
-
In: The Sport psychologist. - Champaigne, IL : Human Kinetics. - 0888-4781 .- 1543-2793. ; 25:3, s. 341-362
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The holistic ecological approach to talent development in sport highlights the central role of the overall environment as it affects a prospective elite athlete. This paper examines a flat-water kayak environment inNorwaywith a history of successfully producing top-level senior athletes from among its juniors. Principal methods of data collection include interviews, participant observations of daily life in the environment and analysis of documents. The environment was centered around the relationship between prospects and a community of elite athletes, officially organized as a school team but helping the athletes to focus on their sport goals, teaching the athletes to be autonomous and responsible for their own training, and perceived as very integrated due to a strong and cohesive organizational culture. We argue that the holistic ecological approach opens new venues in talent development research and holds the potential to change how sport psychology practitioners work with prospective elite athletes.The holistic ecological approach to talent development in sport highlights the central role of the overall environment as it affects a prospective elite athlete. This paper examines a flat-water kayak environment in Norway with a history of successfully producing top-level senior athletes from among its juniors. Principal methods of data collection include interviews, participant observations of daily life in the environment and analysis of documents. The environment was centered around the relationship between prospects and a community of elite athletes, officially organized as a school team but helping the athletes to focus on their sport goals, teaching the athletes to be autonomous and responsible for their own training, and perceived as very integrated due to a strong and cohesive organizational culture. We argue that the holistic ecological approach opens new venues in talent development research and holds the potential to change how sport psychology practitioners work with prospective elite athletes. © 2011 Human Kinetics, Inc.
|
|
| 4. |
- Henriksen, Kristoffer, et al.
(author)
-
Successful talent development in track and field: Considering the role of environment
- 2010
-
In: Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports. - Copenhagen : Munksgaard Forlag. - 0905-7188 .- 1600-0838. ; 20:Suppl.2, s. 122-132
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Track and field includes a number of high intensity disciplines with many demanding practices and represents a motivational challenge for talented athletes aiming to make a successful transition to the senior elite level. Based on a holistic ecological approach, this study presents an analysis of a particular athletic talent development environment (ATDE) in track and field, the IFK Växjö track and field club, and examines key factors behind its successful history of creating top level athletes. The research takes the form of a case study. Data were collected from multiple perspectives (in-depth interviews with administrators, coaches and athletes), from multiple situations (observation of training, competitions and meetings) and from the analysis of documents. The environment was characterized by a high degree of cohesion, by the organization of athletes and coaches into groups and teams, and by the important role given to elite athletes. A strong organizational culture, characterized by values of open co-operation, by a focus on performance process and by a whole person approach, provided an important basis for the environment’s success. The holistic ecological approach encourages practitioners to broaden their focus beyond the individual in their efforts to help talented junior athletes make a successful transition to elite senior level.
|
|
