Study looks at how nations develop a competitive edge
Russia is known for its chess champions. China for its table tennis. The U.S. has won more than three times as many Olympic swimming medals than any other country. What makes a country an international powerhouse in a given sport? Tradition, genetics, training? An Indiana University study suggests it could come down to numbers.
The U.S. is known for its highly competitive swimmers.
Larger numbers of participants in a sport produce more elite athletes in that sport.
"The findings have "strong implications for national sport strategic policy," the IU researchers report. "Efforts to improve performance should be focused upon maximizing participation and minimizing dropout."
About the study:
- The researchers used USA Swimming data for the study because the organization divides the country into 59 regions for competition and collects performance and participation records for each region. The researchers analyzed the data for the 50-yard freestyle event along with the number of registered swimmers in 2008 for five different age groups, ranging from the 10 and under age group to the 17-18 age group. Their statistical analysis found that participation rates are a significant predictor of maximal athletic performance in that region.
But culture could play a role.
"If a sport is important to an area, there could be more support for the sport, more facilities, so more people can do it," said Andrew Cornett, a doctoral student in the Department of Kinesiology at IU's School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation.
Cornett discussed his study during a poster presentation in June at the American College of Sports Medicine's annual meeting. Coauthor of the study is Joel Stager, Department of Kinesiology, School of HPER.
To read more articles from the Department of Kinesiology in the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation, visit http://newsinfo.iu.edu/cat/page/normal/356.html.
