Abstract

Talent identification and development systems represent a range of activities involving the detection, identification and selection of children as talents in sport. The process of identifying talents within football has been extensively researched, and several literature reviews have aimed to streamline talent systems and predict athletes’ capability. This review investigates the nature and extent of research to critically assess talent identification literature within football. Following guidelines for scoping reviews, a systematic search identified 2,443 studies, of which 73 were included in the analysis. Our review shows that the current literature; (a) seldom defines the identification process, but tends to focus on selection of talents, leaving out de-selection processes, (b) makes use of predominantly quantitative assessments including both cross-sectional and longitudinal approaches, and (c) represents coaches’ rather than athletes’ perspectives of the process. Thus, our review highlights that our understanding of talent identification remains limited, despite the extensive body of literature available. There is a shortcoming of research involving qualitative methods and a lack of literature emphasising child/youth perspectives. Such studies could supplement our current knowledge through providing insight into children’s experiences of identification and selection (as well as de-selection), and how these processes influence their motivation and interest in sport.

摘要

人才识别和发展系统代表了一系列涉及发现、识别和选择儿童作为体育人才的活动。足球内人才的识别过程已被广泛研究，一些文献综述旨在简化人才系统并预测运动员的能力。这篇评论调查了研究的性质和范围，以批判性地评估足球中的人才识别文献。根据范围审查指南，系统搜索确定了 2,443 项研究，其中 73 项被纳入分析。我们的审查表明，目前的文献；(a) 很少定义识别过程，但往往侧重于人才的选择，而忽略了取消选择的过程，(b) 主要使用定量评估，包括横断面和纵向方法，以及 (c) 代表教练而不是运动员对过程的看法。因此，我们的评论强调，尽管可获得大量文献，但我们对人才识别的理解仍然有限。涉及定性方法的研究存在缺陷，并且缺乏强调儿童/青年观点的文献。这些研究可以通过深入了解儿童的识别和选择（以及取消选择）的经历，以及这些过程如何影响他们对运动的动机和兴趣，来补充我们目前的知识。我们的评论强调，尽管可获得大量文献，但我们对人才识别的理解仍然有限。涉及定性方法的研究存在缺陷，并且缺乏强调儿童/青年观点的文献。这些研究可以通过深入了解儿童的识别和选择（以及取消选择）的经历，以及这些过程如何影响他们对运动的动机和兴趣，来补充我们目前的知识。我们的评论强调，尽管可获得大量文献，但我们对人才识别的理解仍然有限。涉及定性方法的研究存在缺陷，并且缺乏强调儿童/青年观点的文献。这些研究可以通过深入了解儿童的识别和选择（以及取消选择）的经历，以及这些过程如何影响他们对运动的动机和兴趣，来补充我们目前的知识。