Abstract des Autors

The author holds that the belief that genetic or geographic origin brings with it athletic advantage may have led to attitude and behavioural changes in sport. For example, in the light of the dominance of African athletes in endurance events some European countries have substantially reduced the extent of participation in cross-country and the longer endurance events. However, according to the author, to acknowledge the dominance of athletes on genetic and geographic grounds a priori and to take it for granted, must be regarded as a non-scientific and counter-productive point of view. Against this point of view the author brings the following theses to bear: 1. A human being is extremely adaptable. Adaptability takes place in accordance with the dominant development stimulus, and young people are the most sensitive and responsive to stimuli, especially during pre- and post-pubescent development stages. 2. If, even under optimal conditions of support, it is impossible to integrate children and young people in a purposeful and systematic training programme, then the negative performance trend described above can neither be stopped nor reversed. 3. Training for athletes and young people has to be adapted to the biological/physiological development process. 4. In future, the importance of speed parameters will increase in all athletic events. The proportion of sprint training within overall training will be substantially increased. Verf.-Referat