Although there are numerous studies on talent, especially talent identification, development, and selection, both on influencing factors and model construction or talent prediction, they have relatively independently explored some of its stages. Undeniably, talent development is continuous and phased, with specific tasks to be completed at each step, and these steps have certain differences and relationships. The aim of this review is to provide a clear distinction between the entire talent cultivation process, with the purpose of having better methods and measures for each stage to minimize the turnover rate and ensure the integrity of the talent development process. Through searching the Web of Science ™ database, this review was performed according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Selected were original articles in English containing data or models related to talent detection/identification/development/selection in sports. A total of 16 articles were included in the study by reviewing the literature. This overview presents the differences and relationships between the four stages of talent cultivation, where these different aspects are aim, purpose, approach, and emphasis. The relationship is characterized by continuity, progressive, complementary, and mutually. This finding shows that each stage is not developed independently, but is an integral part of the talent training process. Additionally, better differentiation and strengthening of the links between the various talent cultivation stages are considered to contribute to elite athlete development. This review highlights the differences and relationships that exist at each stage of talent cultivation. Meanwhile, some measures are also proposed to strengthen the connection of these phases and how to reduce the turnover rate of talent, which can provide theoretical references for coaches or stakeholders. Based on the results of the review, it is also recommended that future research on talent cultivation could take into account the intrinsic linkages between the various stages and develop talent training programs in a multidimensional way.

China strives to become a leading sports nation. Through implemented policies and programs, Chinese children and adolescents have shown notable advancements and improvements in their engagement in physical activity in recent years, indicating an overall positive trend. However, some indicators exhibit a concerning “inversion phenomenon”. This study utilizes data from three surveys conducted between 2016 and 2022 by the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance. By comparing current ratings with those from 2016 and 2018, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally, significant obstacles in promoting physical activity and health among Chinese children and adolescents are revealed, with persistently low scores. The 2022 Global Matrix 4.0 report ranks Chinese children and adolescents 53rd out of 57 surveyed countries, with an overall average physical activity score of D. Similarly, the average score for sources of influence ranks at 53rd. Consequently, the establishment of an integrated school, family, and social sports promotion mechanism, led by the government, becomes an imperative prerequisite for enhancing the levels of physical activity and overall health among children and adolescents.

This systematic review and meta-analysis examines the effects of strength training (ST) and plyometric training (PT) on vertical jump (VJ), linear sprint (LS), and change-of-direction speed (CODS) in female adolescent team sport athletes. Additionally, it explores potential moderator variables, such as programming variables and participant characteristics, that may influence these training effects. Eligibility criteria: Randomized controlled trials examining the effects of ST or PT interventions lasting ≥4 weeks on VJ, LS, or CODS in female adolescent team sport athletes (aged 10-19 years) were included. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane, Embase, and SPORTDiscus from inception to August 28, 2024. The risk of bias of the included studies was assessed using the latest version of the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool for randomized trials (ROB-2). Meta-analyses were performed in Stata15.0 using random-effects models. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on the participant characteristics (age, height, weight, and type of sports) and programming variables (duration, frequency, and total sessions). Twenty-six studies involving 705 female adolescent team sport athletes were included. Meta-analyses revealed that ST and PT exhibited significant (p < 0.05) and moderate to large effects on VJ (ST, ES: 0.74, moderate; PT, ES: 0.87, moderate), LS (ST, ES: -1.26, large; PT, ES: -1.23, large), and CODS (ST, ES: -1.16, moderate; PT, ES: -1.20, moderate). Subgroup analysis indicated that for ST, training protocols of ≥ 10 weeks, ≤ 2 sessions/week, or ≤ 20 sessions were more effective. ST also showed greater benefits for athletes > 15 years old (LS), ≥ 163 cm (LS, CODS), ≥ 63 kg, and handball players. For PT, protocols of > 9 weeks, > 14 sessions (VJ), or ≥ 18 sessions (CODS) were more effective, with handball players responding best to PT. The overall risk of bias of the included studies was judged as moderate. The certainty of evidence was rated as moderate to high based on the GRADE approach. Both ST and PT are effective in improving VJ, LS, and CODS in female adolescent team sport athletes. Longer duration, lower frequency, or fewer sessions of ST produce better effects. Older and more mature athletes are better adapted to ST, likely due to increased muscle mass, hormonal factors, and neuromuscular adaptations. Longer duration or more sessions of PT produce better effects. Handball players showed a greater response to both ST and PT than athletes of other sports, according to observed trends.

Athlete selection, as a crucial step for the success of competitive sports, is the last hurdle in the whole sports talent cultivation chain, which is related to the stability and sustainable development of the sports. In athlete selection, coaches play the role of decision-makers in selecting the most suitable athletes for a specific sport or competition from a large pool of talented athletes. Therefore, understanding how coaches’ decisions impact athlete selection is crucial in establishing selection rules, formulating effective decision-making, and developing accurate athlete development policies. This review was conducted by searching the Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus databases for English-language literature on coaching decision-making and talent selection, and screening and categorizing the literature according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A total of 10 articles were included in this review. Based on the meta-synthesis findings, coaches’ decision-making styles, intuition, and abilities play a significant role in athlete selection. Additionally, coaches’ personalities are also an important factor that influences their decision-making process in identifying and selecting talented players. This review also emphasizes that coach decision-making is essential not only in athlete selection, but also in athlete detection, identification, and development, as coach behavior affects the success of the entire team. In addition, reinforcement of professional competence development and maintenance of continuous learning for coaches is the requirement of the times and the key to the success of athlete selection.

Perception is an essential component of children’s psychological development, which is foundational to children’s ability to understand and adapt to their external environment. Perception is also a crucial tool for understand and navigating one’s surroundings, enabling children to identify objects and react appropriately to settings or situations. Substantial evidence indicates that engaging in physical activity is beneficial for the development of children’s perceptual abilities, as the two are closely intertwined. Still, more research is necessary to gain a full understanding of the impact of physical activity on children’s perception. To further identify and quantify the effects of physical activity on a number of specific perceptions in children. Systematic review and meta-analysis. Searches were performed using five online databases (i.e., PubMed, SPORTDiscus, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library) for articles published up to and including June 2023 to identify eligible citations. A total of 12 randomized controlled trials, encompassing 1,761 children under the age of 12, were analyzed. Overall, physical activity as an intervention showed a notable effect on the development of children’s perceptions. The meta-analysis indicated that participating in physical activity for 30 minutes around, daily, had a greater impact on children’s visual perception and executive functioning than on their motor perception, body perception, and global self-worth (SMD = 1.33, 95% CI: 0.75, 1.91, p < 0.001). The effects of physical activity on children’s perception performance varied by participant characteristics, with physical activity having better effects on body perception and overall self-worth in children who were obese or overweight. Furthermore, physical activity can also enhance executive function and attention in children with developmental coordination disorders. The effects of physical activity on children’s perception performance varied according to the intervention time, with different activity durations resulting in different perception performances. Therefore, parents and educators must prioritize an appropriate length of physical activity time for children to ensure their optimal growth and development. Registration and protocol CRD42023441119.