Expertise and expert performance in sport

摘要

We review contemporary research focusing on expertise and expert performancein sport. The deliberate practice theoretical framework is presented, and the levelof investment in purposeful practice needed to reach the elite level in sport isillustrated. We highlight some of the adaptations that occur as a result ofextended engagement in practice and training, with particular reference toperceptual-cognitive skills, such as anticipation and decision-making. Thesepsychological adaptations are explained through reference to long-term workingmemory theory. Finally, the expert performance approach is presented as aguiding framework for studying expertise in sport, and some suggestions forfuture research are proposed. The study of expertise and expert performance insport offers a unique source of data that help promote understanding of thefactors that constrain human achievement and the extent to which these may beovercome by systematic engagement in practice and training.