Bradley W. Young and John H. Salmela
University of Ottawa, Canada
Citation
W. Young, B., H. Salmela, J. (2010). Examination of practice activities related to the acquisition of elite performance in Canadian middle distance running. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 41(1), 73-90.
Abstract
Ericsson, Krampe, and Tesch-Römer’s (1993) framework for the acquisition of expertise was examined using three global metrics for cumulative practice, including an exclusive sport-specific and a priori defined metric for deliberate practice (Young & Salmela, 2002). Based on practice histories for 48 national, provincial and club middle distance runners, between-group analyses were conducted separately for each of the global measures and also for accumulations in each of 12 specific individual training activities across the initial seven years of a career. Each of the global measures failed to discriminate between groups, with cumulative DP demonstrating the smallest effect sizes. National athletes reported more technique practice than Club runners across the first 5 yrs of a career, and more endurance weights than lesser-skilled groups after 3 yrs and onwards in a career. Provincial runners accumulated more work with a coach than Club runners across the first 5 yrs. Discussion focused on whether an exclusive a priori defined cumulative deliberate practice metric advances work in the area, as well as how the three significant individual training activities contribute to acquired expertise in running.
Keywords: Deliberate practice, Expertise, Running