By using the six-phase development model, young athletes can reach their peak
LAST WEEK'S article highlighted the importance of developing performance pathways for the effective long-term development of talented athletes, who may become future champions.
In this regard, the National Coaching and Training Centre (Coaching Ireland) in conjunction with leading international expert Dr Istvan Balyi has mapped out the critical phases of a player/athlete's developments in the form of a comprehensive LTPAD model.
This generic model, which is based on emerging scientific research, provides a framework for the mapping of sports- specific LTPAD models and has been adopted by many of the leading Irish sporting bodies.
The LTPAD model, which was the first of its kind to be published, identifies six key phases and defines the critical technical, tactical, mental, physical, lifestyle and personal capacities required at each phase.
Critically, the model has identified key gaps in the Irish sports system, including the need to develop "physical literacy" in children; the imbalance between practice and competition in many underage sports; the lack of experienced and qualified junior coaches. It also says there should be integration of sports science and medical support into sports-specific programmes.
The Six Phases of the LTPAD model are summarised as follows:
Phase 1 - The FUNdamental phase: The first phase targets the six-nine age group and emphasises practising and mastering fundamental movement skills before sports-specific skills are introduced.
Agility, balance, co-ordination and speed are a critical element of this initial phase, which are learned through structured play and practice with emphasis on participation and fun.
Phase 2 - The Learning to Train phase: Once the fundamental movement skills have been mastered, specialised movement and sport-related skills are typically developed from the age of eight to 12 which are cornerstones of all athletic development. Of particular note is the fact that children between the ages of nine to 12 years appear to be a particularly important window for motor skill development.
Phase 3 - The Training to Train phase: Critical to this phase, which typically occurs from the ages of 11 to 16 years, is the emphasis placed on "building the engine" as well as further developing sports-specific skills.
Rates of maturation during this phase are highly individual and need to be taken into account when designing specific endurance and strength training programmes.
A training to competition ratio of 60:40 is generally recommended during this phase.
Phase 4 - The Train to Compete phase: This phase is based around the age range of 15-18 years, which focuses on 'fine-tuning the engine' with the emphasis placed on optimising fitness preparation and sport, individual and position-specific skills as well as performance. During this phase, the training to competition ratio is usually 50:50.
Phase 5 - The Train to Win phase: This phase, which usually occurs from about 17-18 years, represents the final and pinnacle phase of athletic preparation.
It is typified by "optimising the engine" through the maximum development fitness preparation and individual and position-specific sport skills with a view to attaining peak performance.
During this phase, competition and competition-specific preparation takes a higher priority with the training to competition ratio shifting to 25:75.
Phase 6 - The Retirement/Retention phase: The phase emphasises the importance of retaining high performance athletes and players within the sports system. It also emphasises redeploying the transferable skills gained in their athletic careers into areas of influence such as coaching, sports administration as well as acting as mentors and role models for the next generation of athletes and players. Full details of the LTPAD model are available at the Coaching Ireland website, see coachingireland.com
• Dr Giles Warrington is a sport and exercise physiologist and lecturer in the School of Health and Human Performance at DCU