title: Long-term athletic development- part 1: a pathway for all youth.
abstract: The concept of developing talent and athleticism in youth is the goal of many coaches and sports systems. Consequently, an increasing number of sporting organizations have adopted long-term athletic development models in an attempt to provide a structured approach to the training of youth. It is clear that maximizing sporting talent is an important goal of long-term athletic development models. However, ensuring that youth of all ages and abilities are provided with a strategic plan for the development of their health and physical fitness is also important to maximize physical activity participation rates, reduce the risk of sport- and activity-related injury, and to ensure long-term health and well-being. Critical reviews of independent models of long-term athletic development are already present within the literature; however, to the best of our knowledge, a comprehensive examination and review of the most prominent models does not exist. Additionally, considerations of modern day issues that may impact on the success of any long-term athletic development model are lacking, as are proposed solutions to address such issues. Therefore, within this 2-part commentary, Part 1 provides a critical review of existing models of practice for long-term athletic development and introduces a composite youth development model that includes the integration of talent, psychosocial and physical development across maturation. Part 2 identifies limiting factors that may restrict the success of such models and offers potential solutions.
authors.affiliation: 1Youth Physical Development Unit, School of Sport, Cardiff Metropolitan University, Cardiff, United Kingdom; 2Department of Health and Exercise Science, The College of New Jersey, Ewing, New Jersey; 3Department of Kinesiology, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; 4School of Sport and Exercise, University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham, United Kingdom; 5Children's Health and Exercise Research Center, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom; 6Department of Family Medicine, Division of Sports Medicine, Sports Health and Performance Institute, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio; 7Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions, Provo, Utah; 8Department of Orthopaedics, Division of Sports Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts; 9Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts; 10The Micheli Center for Sports Injury Prevention, Boston, Massachusetts; 11Department of Trauma and Orthopaedics, University of Wales, Cardiff, United Kingdom; 12Department of Kinesiology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, Rhode Island; 13Sport Performance Research Institute New Zealand, AUT University, Auckland, New Zealand; 14School of Exercise, Health and Biomedical Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Australia; 15Division of Sports Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio; 16Department of Pediatrics and Orthopaedic Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio; and 17Sports Health and Performance Institute, Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.
authors.forename: Rhodri S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Lloyd
authors.forename: Jon L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Oliver
authors.forename: Avery D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Faigenbaum
authors.forename: Rick
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: Mark B A
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: De Ste Croix
authors.forename: Craig A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Thomas M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Best
authors.forename: Brent A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Alvar
authors.forename: Lyle J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Micheli
authors.forename: D Phillip
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.forename: Disa L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Hatfield
authors.forename: John B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Cronin
authors.forename: Gregory D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Myer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D054874:Athletic Performance; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009048:Motor Skills; D064797:Physical Conditioning, Human / Q000379:methods*; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D010809:Physical Fitness; D013177:Sports / Q000502:physiology*