Long Term Athlete Development - Essay Example

Sports Science(LTAD) Long Term Athlete Development (LTAD) is developed by an internationally recognized coach educator Dr. Istvan Balyi, as a consistent framework for athlete development regardless of field of sports. The objective of LTAD is to provide a systematic structure which can help're-align' the existing system of sports training and expectation by making it more consistent, existing systems and structure. The methodology is based on consensus of evidenced research which is focused about how young people develop sporting ability. The systematic and scientific method is closely linked with coaching practices and aimed at development of players to their optimum physical and psychological growth. Though it not a new theory, yet it should be recognized that majority of research is based on experience from dealing with sporting activities, which have been practiced to underpin physical education for many years. The remarkable theory about LTAD is that it brings the variety of theories practiced by different bodies under one umbrella with codified structures and systems. LTAD has 'packaged' the theories for mass understanding and has adopted more effective mechanism for applying the theories to integrate whole sports system which includes coaching, training, playing and competition. The basic principles on which LTAD is based are: It is necessary to devote 8-12 years of consistent practice in order to achieve the level of an expert in that field. Research confirms that this is true about developing any skill, such as learning to play musical instrument or playing sport. This is also referred to as '10,000 hour rule' which relates to practice of 3hours a day for ten years. This requires focused and consistent commitment, and not most players would achieve it. The objective is to encourage and enable all young people to develop confidence in their basic movement skill which are fundamental. Expose young children to wide variety of sports at an early age, which prepares them with better attitude for lifelong participation in sport, because their self-perception of their sporting ability is positive. It also better prepares them to achieve their full potential. The objective is to identify those stages during child's physical and psychological development that offer optimum opportunities to develop movement skill-agility, balance, co-ordination; basic sport skills like running, jumping, throwing and striking; which are necessary attribute for sports related activities. Missing these optimum stages can have impact on reaching their highest potential. LTAD is systematic training in childhood and adolescence which opens the window of opportunity for future success as an athlete. "A specific and well-planned practice, training, competition and recovery regime will ensure optimum development throughout an athlete's career" http://www.sportdevelopment.org.uk/html/balyi2004.html The ultimate objective to ensure sustained success which comes from training and performing well over long term rather than winning in short term. Athletic preparation is serious commitment and there is no escape from hard and consistent practice. There is no short cut to Athlete training. LTAD is a sports science which is based on training, competition, and recovery plan which is based on the developmental age which is the maturation level of the child rather than the chronological age. "The program is athlete centred, coach driven, and administration, sport science, and sponsor supported. Athletes who progress through LTAD experience training and competition in programs that consider their biological and training ages in creating periodized plans specific to their development needs" http://www.ltad.ca/content/home.asp LTAD has developed two specialization models: Early specialization model focuses on these areas; Training to train stage Training to compete stage Training to win stage Retirement/ retainment Late specialization model, focuses on these areas; Fundamental stage Learning to train stage Training to train Training to compete Training to win Retirement / retainment "The Long Term Athlete Development model, know as the LTAD, has been described as the "Golden Thread" that permeates the 2004 National Framework for Sport, it' appeared as the preferred model (well only model actually) in the Governments (2002) Game Plan National Sports Policy document." http://www.sportdevelopment.org.uk/html/rg_ltad.html This framework is based on a dynamic process which initiates anew way of working in sports through partnership to achieve the vision in sports. Since past strategies often filed to have lasting and measurable impact this framework has been adopted which sets out the vision for sport tin England. The national objective is to be the most active and most successful sporting nation in the world. In this light sports is seen more as a process than a product. Their commitment is to refine the objectives regularly to implant positive outcome. This is vision shared by all sport, and objective is to ensure and whenever possible anticipate changes in social, institutional and environmental sphere which may have an impact on the performance of the athletes and the ability to achieve the objectives through sport. East of England Plan for sports is a very passionate sporting team which aims to be most active and successful. "'the journey' that sports policy and sporting bodies have been travelling in England since the publication of the Government's 'Game Plan - a strategy for delivering the Government's sport and physical activity objectives' in December 2002. An understanding of this journey is important since it provides the essential context for the preparation of the East of England Plan for Sport. The Prime Minister, Rt Hon Tony Blair MP, commissioned Game Plan to provide a high level, dispassionate analysis of sports policy, funding and delivery structures in the UK. It built on, and in many respects, superseded previous Government strategies and action plans for sport, e.g. 'Sporting Future for All', 'Government Plan for Sport', etc and provides clear guidance on the role of Government and Government agencies and the use of public funds for sport." http://www.sportdevelopment.org.uk/eastplan2004.pdf They believe that a sport is the most important key which binds the social fabric and gives opportunity for participation to people of all ages. It provides an opportunity to socialize, be physically active and have fun. It is the essence of good life. Yorkshire Plan for sports is another sport of England endeavour to promote sports in accordance with LTAD philosophy. They have developed a systematic framework for sports through independent analysis of facts and figures. The framework provides systematic basis for testing priorities and influencing change. "The seven main outcomes of the framework have been agreed as the key measures to show the Government that sport is delivering on its objectives. Three of these are high-level sporting outcomes, three are the 'social benefits' that will come from achieving the sporting outcomes, and the final one shows the contribution that sport makes to the economy." .anlysishttp://www.sportdevelopment.org.uk/yorksplan2004.pdf London Plan for Sport and Physical Activity has been produced as a plan for sport in London. The objective which is based on LTAD principles is to show the significance of sports. They aim to raise the standard pf sports to the level where they can show how sports can make major contribution to a range of socio-economic issues. It encourages Government endeavour to join sports policy-making, investment and delivery. "The London Sports Board is committed to the aim of encouraging a more active London population." http://www.sportdevelopment.org.uk/londonplan2004.pdf The initiation of LTAD in sports in UK has had very dynamic impact on many sports governing bodies, which has adhered to adoption of the principles of LTAD to improve and expand the sports interest of the nation. Sports England has been very enterprising in initiating programs under its banner. The objective has been to encourage people to start sport and physical activity by creating a culture that encourages active lifestyles; ensuring all children aged 5-16 have the chance to enjoy at least two hours of high-quality PE and school sport each week and ensuring local opportunities exist to broaden people's sporting experience with an aim to focus on using the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic bid as inspiration. They aim to achieve this by helping people of England get and stay involved in sports and physical activity by building a sports club structure linked with schools and universities throughout London; creating and developing a network of multi-sport clubs; reducing the barriers that limit participation; ensuring that our sports clubs are representative and open to all and promoting Active Work and Active Travel schemes that encourage employees to lead less sedentary working lives. With these guidelines, the objective is to help people succeed in sports by targeted London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic bid to generate an improved system supporting volunteers, coaches and athletes; celebrating our champions and recognising the efforts of elite performers; ensuring appropriate development pathways are available for talented young people; improving the quality of clubs through accreditation schemes; increasing the number of qualified professional coaches actively involved in clubs and increasing the inward investment into sport. LTAD is the key to development of all these sports related guidelines with objective to Creating a sub-regional sports alliance structure within London; using models of good practice to encourage sport and physical activity by partners and encouraging the delivery of sport to hard-to-reach and at-risk groups by local community and special interest organisations as well as working with the five Strategic Health Authorities in London to identify the most effective means of NHS promotion of physical activity. Work Cited (LTAD). Retrieved March 5, 2008, Web site: http://www.ltad.ca/content/home.asp (LTAD, 2008) LONG TERM ATHLETEDEVELOPMENT. Retrieved March 5, 2008, from Sport England Web site: http://www.englandhockey.co.uk/core_files/fileDownload(322).pdf The Framework for Sport in England (2004-2008). Retrieved March 5, 2008, Web site: http://www.sportdevelopment.org.uk/html/nationalframework2004.html THE EAST OF ENGLAND PLAN FOR SPORT. Retrieved March 5, 2008, from sPORT eNGLAND Web site: http://www.sportdevelopment.org.uk/eastplan2004.pdf YORKSHIRE PLAN FOR SPORT. Retrieved March 5, 2008, from Sport England Web site: http://www.sportdevelopment.org.uk/yorksplan2004.pdf THE LONDON PLAN FOR SPORT AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY. Retrieved March 5, 2008, Web site: http://www.sportdevelopment.org.uk/londonplan2004.pdf Read More