Reimagining the athlete development pathway: constraints-led, learning-based, life-long

ABSTRACT

Athlete Development Pathways (ADP) are used worldwide as guides to optimal athlete development. Existing ADPs tend to centre physical development and competition performance and fail to account for the complex interaction of social, emotional, psychological, cognitive-motor, and physical factors in human development. This article reimagines the ADP as a constraints-led, learning-based framework of lifetime periodisation. Synthesizing contemporary multi-disciplinary research and theory it takes a holistic approach to the complex, multi-factor reality of athlete development. It is proposed that such a framework supports a more human-centred and engaging sport pedagogy and may be more effective at improving both athletic performance and retention of athletes in sport. An ADP based on these concepts is presented.

KEYWORDS:

• Athlete development
• constraints-led approach
• coaching
• pathway
• periodization

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).