Abstract

Ericsson, Krampe, and Tesch-Römer’s framework for the acquisition of expertise was examined using three global metrics for cumulative practice, including an exclusive sport-specific and a priori defined metric for deliberate practice. Based on practice histories for 48 national, provincial and club middle distance runners, between-group analyses were conducted separately for each of the global measures and also for accumulations in each of 12 specific individual training activities across the initial seven years of a career. Each of the global measures failed to discriminate between groups, with cumulative DP demonstrating the smallest effect sizes. National athletes reported more technique practice than club runners across the first 5 years of a career, and more endurance weights than lesser-skilled groups after 3 years and onwards in a career. Provincial runners accumulated more work with a coach than club runners across the first 5 years. Discussion focused on whether an exclusive a priori defined cumulative deliberate practice metric advances work in the area, as well as how the three significant individual training activities contribute to acquired expertise in running. Verf.-Referat