Comparison of High and Low Responders to a Cross-Country Skiing Talent Transfer Program: A Coach’s Perspective

Abstract

Purpose: To examine how coaches differentiate athletes with successful and non-successful development during a cross-country (XC) skiing talent transfer (TT) program. Methods: We conducted qualitative, semi-structured interviews with seven Norwegian coaches working with a group of 23 Chinese summer endurance athletes transferring from running, rowing, and kayaking to the winter endurance sport XC skiing over a six-month training period. The athletes were grouped as either high (n = 9), moderate (n = 3), or low responders (n = 11) based on objective performance development, quantified using laboratory testing. The interview guide contained six sections: physiological development, technical development, psychological characteristics, training and recovery routines, athlete background, and considerations about the effectiveness of TT initiatives in general. Results: The assessments of the coaches revealed that greater development of both physiological and technical capacities among the high-responding TT athletes were associated with higher motivation, as well as superior ability to deal with adversity in the development process. Conclusion: The coaches considered the TT program to be effective; however, successful transfer of athletes to a world class level in a complex sport such as XC skiing requires a multidisciplinary selection process and a longer time frame than the six-month period used in the current project.

Game changer—talent transfer pathways in sport: a systematic review

“…Importantly, transfer athletes could build upon and adapt skills and characteristics developed in their donor sports, facilitating faster development compared to other athletes ( 10 , 14 , 23 ). The sport background of transfer athletes influenced their development in a recipient sport, with training histories in a specific donor sports having a more positive effect than others ( 63 – 65 ).…”

“…Athletes believed their previously developed psychological and behavioural strengths, such as work ethic and commitment, compensated for deficits in other areas [i.e., anthropometric, physiological; ( 10 )]. Confidence, determination, and athlete identity were among other common facilitative psychological ( 10 , 13 , 14 , 21 , 24 , 61 – 63 , 65 ).…”

“…Age was discussed in four publications as an important consideration in talent transfer (33%; Table 4 ), but findings about the ideal age for transfer were conflicting ( 10 , 24 ). Two studies suggested younger age was associated with enhanced development responses to a talent transfer program ( 14 , 63 ). However, the findings were either not significant [World Cup selected athletes' mean age 22.2 ± 5.1 years, compared to non-selected athletes mean age 25.2 ± 4.6 years; ( 14 )], or subjectively assessed ( 63 ).…”

Special Issue “Talent Identification and Development in Youth Sports”

“…Another approach that has received growing attention, as highlighted by Saether and colleagues [13], is the 'talent transfer'. This refers to the intention of a talented athlete choosing to invest in other sports, such as transferring athletes from donor sports into target sports or the transition from summer (e.g., kayaking or rowing) to winter (e.g., cross-country skiing) sports.…”

Biomechanics of the lead straight punch and related indexes between sanda fighters and boxers from the perspective of cross-border talent transfer

“…Athlete selection and training of athletes are important components of success in international competitive sports ( Pinder et al, 2013 ), and a large number of athletes achieve rapid improvement of their competitive level in new sports through cross-border talent transfer ( Collins et al, 2014 ; MacNamara and Collins, 2015 ; Saether et al, 2021 ). Against the backdrop of the reform of the competitive sports system and the intense Olympic preparation, China is committed to efficiently train athletes with high technical and tactical level for the Olympic Games through the implementation of cross-sport talent transfer.…”