Factors influencing talent development of elite athletes in Hong Kong

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to investigate how intrapersonal and environmental factors shape the beliefs and experiences of talented athletes in Hong Kong, using a case study approach. The four participants involved in the study were elite athletes recognised for their outstanding sporting achievements. A literature review of previous studies suggested that genetic and environmental factors influence talent development in the sporting domain, with four key themes worthy of further investigation: self-perceptions of natural abilities in sport (talent), self-motivation, coach, and family and school. To achieve a deeper understanding of these variables, a qualitative approach involving semi-structured interviews was used to examine the nature and complexity of the process of talent development. The results indicated that the participants did not tend to perceive themselves as significantly talented or “very special”. However, there was evidence that the four factors identified above critically influenced the development of their talent, both positively and negatively. Based on the participants’ stories, a conceptual framework was constructed to represent the interplay among the major influences on talent development. The findings have implications for improving or modifying the strategies commonly used to maximise talent development in elite athletes in Hong Kong. However, the limitations of this small-scale research study are acknowledged.