North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity Conference
June 2012, Honolulu, HI, United States of America
Sport expertise development: Skill level differences in practice profiles during
childhood and adolescence
Melissa J. Hopwood 1, Joseph Baker 2, Damian Farrow 1,3 & Clare MacMahon 1
1. Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia
2. York University, Toronto, Canada
3. Australian Institute of Sport, Canberra, Australia
Practice is undoubtedly a significant contributor to sport expertise. Substantial
evidence confirms expert athletes devote more time to practice than lesser skilled
athletes; however, investigations typically involve a single practice factor, ignoring
the multi-faceted nature of the practice environment. This study involved a detailed
analysis of practice types associated with sport expertise development during childhood
and adolescence. Practice histories were collected from 209 adult athletes from three
skill levels (non elite, pre elite, and elite), and participation in 15 practice
types were compared. Analysis was restricted to ages 5-17 to focus specifically on
the childhood and adolescent years. Overall, elite athletes accumulated more hours
of practice during this period than non elite athletes (F(2,206) = 3.26, p > .05).
From age 13, elite athletes participated in more hours per year of sport specific
practice completed in a group with a coach than non elite athletes, and at age 17
they participated in more hours of sport specific practice completed in a group but
without a coach than both non elite and pre elite athletes. From age 15, elite athletes
also participated in more hours per year of sport specific practice completed one-on-one
with a coach compared to non elite and pre elite athletes; however there were no
skill level differences for participation in sport specific practice completed one-on-one
without a coach. Additionally, elite athletes participated in more hours per year
of physical preparation completed in a group with a coach than non elite athletes
from age 15. Participation in mental preparation or sport specific play did not differentiate
elite athletes from lesser skilled athletes during childhood and adolescence, however
elite athletes participated in more training camps per year than sub elite athletes
from age 13, and pre elite athletes from age 16. These findings provide insight into
the practice activities that contribute most to sport expertise development during
childhood and adolescence.
To cite this presentation:
Hopwood, M.J., Baker, J., Farrow, D., & MacMahon, C. (2012). Sport expertise development:
Skill level differences in practice profiles during childhood and adolescence. Journal
of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 34, S236.
