Routes to sporting excellence in the UK Flashcards
(22 cards)
Four stages of the performance pyramid (bottom to top)
-Elite
-Performance
-Participation
-Foundation
Importance of the performance pyramid
-The performance pyramid illustrates the development of mass participation of sporting excellence
-The more people participating, the broader the base is
-The broader the base is, the more people will develop into sporting excellence
Roles of UK sport
-Development of English institutes of sport
-Coordination of programmes to attract major sporting competitions
-Running of world-class programmes
-Running of world-class coaching strategies
-Manging national lottery funding
Aims of UK sport
-Identify potential talent
-Support athlete lifestyle
-Support coaching
-Support through research
-Provide world class programmes
How does UK sport distribute funding/ spend their money
-UK sport provides funding for NGBs such as RFU which enables world-class programs to go ahead and ensures the correct support is provided to athletes
-Athletic performance rewards are provided by the national lottery funding via UK sport which supports athletes’ lifestyles
-UK sport has an annual investment of £100 million, which benefits 1300 of the UK’s leading athletes
-This investment guarantees (a) coaching, training, and competition support, (b) research and scientific support, (c) Access to top facilities and (d) acclimatisation training
-Podium level receives 30,000-60,000 per athlete support
-Podium potential receives 23,000-40,000 per athlete support
Skeleton case study UK
The skeleton went from a relatively unknown sport to a high-quality sport; it received £2.1 million in allocated national lottery funding from 2006-2010
-Funding was also provided for talent ID and high-quality sports and medical sciences; 13 different athletes on the world-class program won a total of 76 different medals from 2006-2010
English institute of sport
-English Institute of Sport receives £60 million every 4 years and generates income through NGBs
-EIS worked with 86% of the athletes who won a medal for GB, and 13 different athletes on the world class development programme won a total of 76 different medals from 2006-2010
National institutes
-National institutes e.g Loughborough Performance Centre are run by UK sport and provide:
1) World class facilities
2) Physical and mental sport science support
3) Medical support
4) Talent ID process
5) Complete research into new sports technology
National centre
-Bath University Olympic sized swimming pool
Sport England
-Sport England is a sporting government agency responsible for community sports
-Creates initiatives such as “This Girl Can” which encourages all women to take part in sport
Qualities of Elite sport
-Commitment and self discipline
-Determination to succeed
-High levels of sports confidence and self efficacy
-High levels of physical fitness and natural talent
How can young and talented athletes be helped to become elite
-Correct coaching- effective and efficient coaching
-Correct facilities- Finding the best and most efficient equipment
-Correct training - Organised and time-effective training
World class programmes
-Podium level - for athletes that have realistic chances of competing in the next Olympic Games
-Podium potential - for athletes that have realistic chances of competing in the next but one Olympic Games
Talent ID
-Talent ID is a multi-stage screening for athletes to identify potential athletes for the world class programme
-Talent ID is run by UK sport and has three phases :
1) Physical and skill-based tests as well as analysis of training and competitive history
2) Phase two is when athletes are tested for suitability for sport via physical and medical screening (involves physical and mental testing)
3) Phase 3 is when selected athletes train for 6-12 months; they are continually assessed, and their progress is monitored
Physical testing
-Fitness tests: VO2 Max for endurance
-Anthropometry : measures genetic physical characteristics such as muscle fibre ratios
Mental testing
-Psychological profile: levels of arousal, aggression, and anxiety etc
-Hereditary profile: success of previous family members
-Socialogical profile: age, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic group
Factors of successful talent ID
-Widespread testing- testing all ages, genders, and social groups
-Variety of testing: physical mental and social testing
-High quality systems: Highly skilled coaches, testing and scouts
-Good competition: More potential talent to scout
Evaluations of talent ID (positive)
-More medal winners
-Gives young people and experience
-Rapid progression if selection
-Better use of NGB funding
Evaluations of talent ID (negative)
-No guarantee of success
-If unsuccessful children can become demotivated
-Children can be overtrained
-Potential talent can sometimes be missed out on
-Testing is expensive and tedious
National governing bodies (NGBs)
-Promote and increase participation in sport
-Ensure development of elite athletes
-Provides equal opportunities for all
-Provides regional scouts and talent ID schemes to identify potential young talent
-Decides on funding
-Provides coaching qualifications from lower levels
Why do elite athletes drop out of sport
-Lack of funding
-Injury
-Too much training
-Media pressure- high expectations
-Lack of enjoyment- feels more like a job rather than a passion
-Standard is too high
-Stress- personal or situational
-Poor performance may reduce confidence
Strategies to prevent elite athlete dropout
-Identify the problem - coaches can create programs to evaluate stressors
-Performance lifestyle advice- Athletes can be supported through budgeting and time management advice to support their lifestyles
-Media strategies- Athletes can be trained to cope with media fame and exposure
-Medical strategies- Arrange medical interventions regularly i.e physiotherapy sessions
-Psychological support- Provide psychological support by teaching athletes effective stress management techniques
-Training programme- suggest training improvements/ adaptations
-Future career- Advise players on other careers e.g coaching or sports science jobs
