DIE INVLOED VAN BIOLOGIESE RYPING OP TALENTIDENTIFISERINGSDETERMINANTE VAN 0/14 PROVINSIALE DOGTER­TENNISSPELERS

Abstract

The importance of ta lent identification in tennis and the role that it plays in the developmentof elite tennis players is strongly accentuated when the performances of these players are placed in the limelight. According to research the final selection phase of the talent identification process must take place between 12 and 15 years(± 14 years) of age with girls. This final talent identification phase of tennis players must be based on the evaluation of certain tennis specific talent identification determinants. According to the literature the following components are used as talent identification determinants: anaerobic capacity, muscle endurance, strength, explosive power, speed, agility, cardiovascular endurance, balance and flexibility. Certain kinanthropometric characteristics can also influence tennis performance and therefore components such as somatotype, fat percentage and muscle mass were calculated from the body stature, body mass, different skin fold-, length-, breadth- and circumference measurements. Because of the fact that talent prediction has a better chance of being accurate if it is based on determinants with well-known development profiles, it is important to take bio logical maturation and genetic stability into consideration during the final talent identification phase. In spite of the fact that a lot of research has already been done on the final talent identification phase of tennis players, the effect of biological maturation on the talent identification determinants have not been taken into account. The same applies for the genetic stability of talent identification determinants. In ignoring the genetic stability during the composition of determinants and not taking biological maturation into account during the final talent identification process, certain ta lented players may be eliminated during the talent identification process. The aim of the study was thus to determine the effect of biological maturation on the kinanthropometric characteristics, physical and motor performance talent identification determinants of u-14 provincial girl tennis players. Twenty-five (25) of the top sixteen (16) provincial female players ( x = 13.21 ± 0.72 years) from the Northern Gauteng and the North West provinces respectively, participated in the study. A comprehensive battery of 28 kinanthropometric measurements was taken as well as 21 physical and motor performance tests were conducted on each subject. The players were asked to complete a biological maturation identification questionnaire (BMIQ) on the stage of secondary sexual characteristics development as well as on their age of menarche. The data was analyzed by means of descriptive statistics and a Kruskal Wallis ANOV A. The girls were grouped into early (n = 4), average (n = 11) and late developers (n = 10) according to the feedback from the BMIQ. No statistical significant differences were found in the kinanthropometric characteristics, physical and motor performance talent identification determinants of the different biological maturation groups. The results did however show that late developing girls do have a body composition that is more favorable for the achievement of success in tennis. The later maturers were also the group who attained the highest speed, speed endurance, muscle endurance, agility and cardiovascular endurance values. The results of this study do indicate that it is important to take biological maturation into consideration during talent identification in tennis, due to the fact that it does influence tennis performance.