Aspects of Developmental Pathways toward World-Class Parasport

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Disability Studies
• Talent Development

Background:

• Elite athlete development models primarily focus on able-bodied athletes.
• Parasport developmental pathways remain under-researched and poorly understood.
• Identifying factors contributing to para-athlete success is crucial for targeted support.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the developmental pathways of para-athletes toward elite performance.
• To understand the factors influencing the progression of athletes with physical disabilities in parasport.
• To inform the creation of tailored developmental models for parasport.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight elite para-athletes.
• Participants were top performers in Paralympic, World, or European Championships.
• Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes in their developmental journeys.

Main Results:

• Early childhood sport encounters within a family environment are significant.
• Sampling diverse organized and coach-led sports during childhood is beneficial.
• Youth sport involves heterogeneous experiences with transitions to elite environments, adapted equipment, and coaching.

Conclusions:

• Para-athlete development is influenced by early experiences, diverse sport sampling, and supportive networks.
• Family, friends, and coaches play a vital role in fostering motivation and progress.
• Findings can inform the development of specific models for elite parasport performance.