10 Key Points that Best Describes LTAD:
- Athlete progression
- Scientific research
- The art of the coach
- Chronological v developmental age
- Windows of optimal trainability
- Importance of physical literacy (0-12 years old)
- Early v late specialization
- Planning and periodization
- Competition structure
- System alignment
What is LTAD?
Long-term athlete development (LTAD) is an athlete progression model from playground to podium. LTAD was developed by a group of Canadian sport scientists, and was adopted by Sport Canada in 2005. All recognized Olympic sports, water polo for example, was asked to create its own unique LTAD model based on the Canadian Sport for Life Document- the generic LTAD. LTAD is based on scientific research and the art of the coach. LTAD differentiates between chronological age and developmental age. LTAD highlights specific windows of opportunity to optimally train an athlete’s skill, strength, stamina, speed, and suppleness (flexibility). LTAD explains concepts of physical literacy (0-12 years old) and the importance of late specialization of water polo and position specific training. LTAD also highlights the importance of proper planning and periodization given the developmental age, and level of competitiveness of the athlete. LTAD incorporates the mental, emotional, and cognitive development characteristics of an athlete and the implications for their coaches. Finally, LTAD promotes and aligns sport systems at all levels- community, elementary and secondary schools, clubs, university level, and high performance levels (National and Provincial Teams)- by segmenting the level of competition into 3 categories- Active for Life, Competition, and Excellence.
Figure 1- Pyramid of Segregated Levels of Competition
Figure 2- System Alignment
What Is Physical Literacy (PL)?
PL is the combination of developing fundamental movement and fundamental sport skills. Fundamental movement skills are important movements that form the base for all other sports. For example, how many sports involve running, throwing, and catching? For this reason, those skills are fundamental movement skills and must be developed prior to the age of 12, and before athletes learn their fundamental sports skills- treading water, head up front crawl, ball skills, etc. PL refers to competency in movement and sports skills. Fundamental movements and sport skills should be developed through fun and games, and before the onset of adolescent growth. PL also includes the ability to “read” what is going on around them in an activity setting and react appropriately to those events. The myth that it “just happens”, that children do develop good physical skills on their own by trail-and-error is not true; there are many who do not, and for those the consequences can be severe. It is important to understand that all adult parties surrounding the child take part in developing the child’s basic movement skills. Water polo programs targeted at this age group should focus on cross-training and not solely water polo specific training. Finally, it has been proven that being physically active later in life depends on feeling confident in an activity setting- and that confidence as an adult- comes from having learned fundamental movement skills and fundamental sport skills.
Figure 3- Fundamental Movement Skills
Figure 4- List of Fundamental Movement Skills