Conceptions of athletic excellence among children and adolescents

Youth in grades 3, 6, 9, and 12 were interviewed about their beliefs regarding athletic excellence. A set of open-ended questions assessed beliefs about the source of athletic ability and the differences between excellent athletes and others. Respondents also rated excellent athletes on a checklist containing various physical, cognitive, emotional, and interpersonal traits. Younger children were less likely than adolescents to differentiate excellent athletes. All participants, but especially adolescents, attributed greater physical skills to highly competent athletes. All but the third graders thought excellent athletes were different from others in terms of cognitive skills (e.g., attention, concentration), and adolescents believed excellent athletes also differed from others in terms of attitudes (e.g., motivation, determination). Older males were more likely to believe that athletic excellence was due to natural ability, whereas older females were more likely to attribute excellence to early social support and facilitation.