NB: This is a long read, but there’s key information in here that we’ll keep referring to as we go along in the rest of our content. So you can come back to it for a refresher when you need to!
A global standard of development
The Long Term Athletic Development (LTAD) model is a globally recognised model based on scientific principles related to your child’s growth. It’s designed to optimise athletic development, and encourage an ongoing active lifestyle. The core idea is to provide a holistic and individualised plan that considers developmental stages and needs, rather than pushing early specialisation.
It addresses tough questions, such as:
Are we sacrificing the long-term well-being and development of budding athletes for short term success – where early specialisation and intense training at a young age can lead to burnout, overuse injuries and a lack of success over the long term?
Are we, as parents, adequately participating and supporting the physical development of our children – or are we handing the responsibility over to caregivers and teachers?
Are we as committed to giving our children proven, life-long coping tools for managing stress as we are to their academic success?
There are 7 stages to LTAD – all of which matter to your daughter in the long run!
Let’s dig in! (Stick with us)
The 7 Stages of LTAD
The distinct stages of the framework are aligned with the natural development of children and adolescents, ensuring that their physical, mental and emotional needs are addressed at each step. There are different physiological and developmental timelines for boys and girls. This is influenced by the timing of growth spurts, the onset of puberty and the pace at which certain physical and motor skills develop.
The table below focuses on girls only.
Appropriate training for the physical and cognitive abilities of athletes helps to optimise learning and skill acquisition, reducing the risk of injury and ensuring that young athletes develop in a healthy and sustainable manner
PHASE & AGE
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
Active Start
0 – 6
Foundational phase
Engaging children in physical activity through fun and play develop basic motor skills – running, jumping, throwing, catching, kicking ensure a non-competitive environment
Children get to explore their physical abilities and most importantly, have FUN!
This phase is key for overall growth as physical activity during childhood supports brain development and social skills.
FUNdamentals
6 – 9
Continuation of fundamental movement skills development
Begin to learn basic sport-specific skills
Emphasis remains fun and enjoyment
Activities should challenge agility, balance, co-ordination
Participating in a variety of sports is key, with no pressure for specialisation.
This helps to refine essential motor skills and a broad base of physical literacy*, one of the building blocks critical for success in any sport.
This phase is a period of rapid growth in motor skills – an ideal time to develop co-ordination and movement patterns.
Learn to Train
8 - 11
Training more focused and structured;
Develop sport-specific skills whilst building on the physical literacy acquired in earlier stages
Refining technical skills; Introduction of basic training concepts such as warm-ups, cool-downs and stretching
Continue to avoid early specialisation to allow for well-rounded development and prevent overuse injuries
This phase is a period of relatively stable growth before puberty – an ideal time for skills acquisition
The body’s ability to learn new motor patterns is heightened, setting the stage for more advanced training in the future.
Train to Train
11 - 15
The beginning of more serious and structured training with focus on building the physical and mental attributes necessary for success in a chosen sport Increased intensity and volume of training with emphasis on developing endurance, strength and speed.
This stage is when a specialisation in sport typically begins, although variety in training is important for overall athleticism
Mental preparation – the development of focus, resilience and goal-setting – becomes a key component
This phase often coincides with puberty, a time of significant physical and hormonal changes. Training must be carefully managed to account for these changes and to optimise development.
Train to Compete
15 - 18
Athletes have committed to a chosen sport/s and become more specialised and competition-focused.
Time to develop high-level performance skills and prepare athletes for the demands of elite competition
Training intensity increases significantly, refining technical and tactical skills specific to a sport
Learning how to peak for important competitions and manage pressure
This phase corresponds with the period of physical maturity. Periodisation / systematic planning of training becomes essential to ensure that athletes achieve peak performance at the right time.
Train to Win
18+
For athletes competing at the highest level
The culmination of the LTAD model – training is focused on peak performance with athletes receiving specialised and individualised training to fine-tune every aspect of their performance
Support in nutrition, psychology and recovery is provided; Athletes have reached full physical and mental maturity and can perform at their highest potential
At this phase, risk of overtraining and injury are higher at this phase, so careful management is essential.
Active For Life
Any age
This phase emphasises the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle no matter your age!
Includes all ages and abilities, encouraging a lifelong participation in physical activity, the goal being to promote long-term health and well-being;
Regular physical activity has numerous benefits – reduced risk of chronic diseases and improved mental health, contributing to an enhanced quality of life.
The long and the short of it!
We’ve all heard of “literacy” –financial literacy, digital literacy or social literacy – and we need to add another one – physical literacy. This is a person’s ability to perform a wide range of movements with competence and confidence.
And here’s what’s important: Kids who are physically literate are more likely to be active throughout their lives! Which is really what we want at the end of the day.
Understanding the LTAD model and how it is implemented in our schools is important. It’s also important to encourage your kids to enjoy, play and participate when they are young and to try new things without fear of failure (read about mental resilience here)
This will help them enter the later stages of athletic development with a love of exercise and a love of playing in their team – whether it be the 1st or 4th – or taking their talent to professional levels as they get older!