At What Stage of Development Should Young Athletes' Athleticism Be Developed?
Are there critical periods, known as windows of opportunity, for the accelerated development of specific motor abilities in young athletes? If such periods exist, does this mean training outside of them is ineffective—or even harmful? Could training certain abilities during a specific stage of development pose risks due to potential overload?
So many questions... and more are likely to arise as we delve into the topic. Let’s begin seeking answers.
Understanding Windows of Opportunity
Every young athlete has periods, varying by gender, during which specific motor abilities can be optimally developed—provided that the right methods and exercises are chosen. Many professional books and articles present charts showing the effectiveness of motor ability training relative to the athlete's chronological age.
However, this is where the first trap lies: connecting critical periods of motor ability development solely to chronological age.
The Role of Biological Age
Sensitive periods for developing motor abilities align with the rapid development of organs and systems associated with those abilities. As we know, this development varies from athlete to athlete, especially between the ages of 10 to 16, when significant differences in physical, emotional, and cognitive traits exist among young athletes of the same chronological age.
Thus, it’s crucial to associate sensitive periods of development with the biological age of young athletes and their stages of growth:
Childhood,
Puberty,
Adolescence.
Evaluating Training Effectiveness
Some tables assess the effectiveness of training motor abilities in young athletes using multiple ratings, such as fast/medium/slow development or stagnation. However, caution is needed for two reasons:
Lack of evidence-based studies supporting such detailed evaluations.
Training programs should not solely rely on sensitive periods. Other factors must be considered, such as:
The physical demands of the training on the young athlete,
Whether specific prerequisites are required to train certain abilities,
The relevance of the ability to the sport in question.
Do Windows Close Completely?
Critical periods—or windows of opportunity—should not be interpreted as periods after which further development of a motor ability is impossible or irrelevant. For example:
Strength training is beneficial throughout all stages of development, starting with intra- and intermuscular coordination and progressing to muscle strengthening.
Aerobic endurance, on the other hand, is considered developmentally neutral and can be improved throughout an athlete’s life.
Key Takeaways
There are periods during which certain motor abilities develop more rapidly.
These sensitive periods should not be strictly tied to chronological age.
The term “windows of opportunity” does not imply that abilities cannot or should not be developed outside these periods.
Motor learning should remain a key focus for young athletes.
Individualized training is essential, as children grow and develop at different rates.
A Reminder for Coaches
Time is limited, and coaches often prioritize teaching numerous technical-tactical skills over developing athleticism. This shortfall is a primary reason many athletes stagnate in later stages of development—they didn’t focus on building motor abilities earlier. Instead, emphasis was placed on competitions and winning.
To ensure your athletes reach their potential, integrate motor ability development into regular training sessions. Understanding the "Formula for Success in Sports" will help you train endurance, strength, coordination, speed, agility, and explosiveness effectively.
The Results?
Enhanced performance on the field.
Increased motivation.
Reduced risk of sports injuries.
Proper athletic development is the foundation of unlocking young athletes' potential.
-written by Igor Macner
