Deliberate Practice, Functional Performance and Psychological Characteristics in Young Basketball Players: A Bayesian Multilevel Analysis

Ahlan B. Lima, Juarez V. Nascimento, Thiago J. Leonardi, André L. Soares, Roberto R. Paes, Carlos Goncalves and Humberto M. Carvalho
Additional contact information
Ahlan B. Lima: Department of Physical Education, School of Sports, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina SC 88040-900, Brazil
Juarez V. Nascimento: Department of Physical Education, School of Sports, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina SC 88040-900, Brazil
Thiago J. Leonardi: School of Physical Education, Physiotherapy and Dance, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul 90690-200, Brazil
André L. Soares: Department of Physical Education, School of Sports, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina SC 88040-900, Brazil
Roberto R. Paes: Faculty Physical Education, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo 13083-851, Brazil
Humberto M. Carvalho: Department of Physical Education, School of Sports, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Santa Catarina SC 88040-900, Brazil

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 11, 1-14

Abstract: Background: Early sport specialization has increased its popularity mostly based on the deliberate practice theory premises. In this study, we examined the influence of the age of onset of deliberate basketball practice on body size, functional performance (countermovement jump, line drill and yo-yo intermittent recovery level 1), motivation for achievement and competitiveness, motivation for deliberate practice and sources of enjoyment among young Brazilian basketball players. In addition, we adjusted for the influence of gender, age group, maturity status and state basketball federation on the outcomes. Methods: The sample included 120 female and 201 male adolescent basketball players aged 14.0 (1.7) years, on average. We grouped players by the age of onset of deliberate basketball practice as related to biologic maturation milestones (pre-puberty deliberate practice onset, mid-puberty deliberate practice onset and late-puberty deliberate practice onset). Results: There was no substantial variation among contrasting players by the onset of deliberate practice in all of the outcomes. Adjusting for gender, male players with late-puberty deliberate practice onset had better functional performance than players with pre- and mid-puberty onset of practice. Females players with late-puberty deliberate practice onset had slightly worst functional performance than players with pre- and mid-puberty onset of practice. Conclusions: Early deliberate basketball practice does not appear to provide an advantage for the development of physiological functions. Likewise, enjoyment, motivation for deliberate practice and motivation for achievement and competition do not appear to be negatively influenced by early deliberate basketball practice. The debate about the relationship between time spent in deliberate practice and performance development in young athletes will need to emphasize the coaching pedagogical quality and the training environment and account for informal practice and deliberate play.

Keywords: youth sports; maturation; motivation; talent development; specialization (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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