Patrícia Coutinho

Talent development in sport: A critical review of pathways to expert performance:

This review aims to examine the most significant research regarding the development of talent in sport, with a focus on the quantity and type of practice necessary for the attainment of expertise. A total of 54 peer-reviewed empirical articles were collected and analysed for their content. The literature reveals considerable evidence demonstrating that both early specialization and early diversification can lead to expertise development. However, the contrasting views of deliberate practice and deliberate play do not provide a sufficient spectrum of different learning activities for talent development. Furthermore, the content analysis highlights some inconsistencies in the criteria used to characterize different types of learning activities, pointing to the need for a more rigorous and detailed characterization of activities that affect talent development throughout the lifespan. Finally, this review underscores the need for different methodological approaches to complement athletes’ perceptions of their past practice experiences gathered from retrospective interviews. The potential value of using systematic observations to provide a detailed examination of the microstructure of different learning activities is discussed.

Influences of population size and density on birthplace effects

ABSTRACT Contextual influences on talent development (e.g., birthplace effects) have become a topic of interest for sport scientists. Birthplace effects occur when being born in a certain city size leads to participation or performance advantages, typically for those born in smaller or mid-sized cities. The purpose of this study was to investigate birthplace effects in Portuguese volleyball players by analysing city size, as well as population density – an important but infrequently used variable. Participants included 4062 volleyball players (Mage = 33), 53.2% of whom were men. Using Portuguese national census data from 1981, we compared participants (within each sex) across five population categories. In addition, we used ANOVAs to study expertise and population density. Results indicated that men and women athletes born in districts of 200,000–399,999 were 2.4 times more likely to attain elite volleyball status, while all other districts decreased the odds of expert development. For men, being born in high-density areas resulted in less chance of achieving expertise, whereas there were no differences for women. The results suggest that athletes’ infrastructure and social structure play an important role in talent development, and that these structures are influenced by total population and population density, respectively.

How players exploit variability and regularity of game actions in female volleyball teams

Abstract Variability analysis has been used to understand how competitive constraints shape different behaviours in team sports. In this study, we analysed and compared variability of tactical performance indices in players within complex I at two different competitive levels in volleyball. We also examined whether variability was influenced by set type and period. Eight matches from the 2012 Olympics competition and from the Portuguese national league in the 2014–2015 season were analysed (1496 rallies). Variability of setting conditions, attack zone, attack tempo and block opposition was assessed using Shannon entropy measures. Magnitude-based inferences were used to analyse the practical significance of compared values of selected variables. Results showed differences between elite and national teams for all variables, which were co-adapted to the competitive constraints of set type and set periods. Elite teams exploited system stability in setting conditions and block opposition, but greater unpredictability in zone and tempo of attack. These findings suggest that uncertainty in attacking actions was a key factor that could only be achieved with greater performance stability in other game actions. Data suggested how coaches could help setters develop the capacity to play at faster tempos, diversifying attack zones, especially at critical moments in competition.

Entropy measures reveal collective tactical behaviours in volleyball teams: how variability and regularity in game actions influence competitive rankings and match status

Abstract This study analysed and compared the influence of match status and final team rankings on variability of tactical performance behaviours within side-out phase, in female volleyball teams of different competitive levels. Performance data were analysed from matches (n = 8 for each level) in the 2012 Olympic women’s volleyball competition (elite level) and the Portuguese women’s league (national level) in the 2014–2015 season, with a total of 1496 rallies observed. Variability of setting conditions, attack zone, attack tempo and block opposition were assessed using Shannon entropy measures. Magnitude-based inferences were used to analyse and compare values of selected variables. Results showed that current match status had no influence on tactical performance of elite teams showing that they adapted their collective organisation without losing their game patterns. Analysis of final team rankings showed that, at national level, the highest ranked teams revealed greater unpredictability in all tactical performance measures (mainly in attack tempo and block opposition), emphasising the importance of the setter to differentiate performance of national teams. These findings may guide coaches in designing practice contexts for developing specific game patterns (setting conditions) and in seeking greater variability in other game actions (in attack), regardless of competitive level of performance.