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Great British medalists: Response to the commentaries
Lew Hardy1, Matthew Barlow1, Lynne Evans2
1Bangor University, Bangor, Wales, United Kingdom.
Progress in Brain Research
|June 27, 2017
Summary
Super-elite (SE) and elite (E) athletes share many commonalities, but key differences distinguish SE performers. This study explores necessary conditions and mediating variables for achieving elite athletic performance.
Area of Science:
- Sport Science
- Performance Psychology
- Talent Identification
Background:
- Elite athletes represent the pinnacle of human performance.
- Understanding the distinctions between elite and super-elite athletes is crucial for targeted development.
- Previous research has identified commonalities but requires deeper exploration of discriminators.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the commonalities and discriminators between super-elite (SE) and elite (E) athletes.
- To respond to critical commentaries on the original findings regarding elite performance.
- To discuss necessary and sufficient conditions, mediating variables, and methodological aspects of elite performance.
Main Methods:
- Large-scale, multisource, qualitative study comparing SE and E athletes.
- Matching athletes on gender, sport, discipline, and era for robust comparison.
- Inclusion of critical commentaries from fifteen research teams actively engaged in the domain.
Main Results:
- The study identified shared characteristics and specific differentiators between SE and E athletes.
- Commentaries addressed necessary/sufficient conditions, mediating variables, and methodological considerations.
- A high degree of consensus was found between the original study and the commentaries.
Conclusions:
- Elite performance is multifactorial, influenced by a complex interplay of factors.
- Distinguishing between elite and super-elite requires nuanced understanding beyond basic commonalities.
- Further research should focus on specific differentiating factors and methodological rigor.
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