GOLD SCORE ATHLETICS: TALENT DETECTION MODEL FOR TRACK AND FIELD

ABSTRACT Introduction: Talent detection is a dynamic and multifactorial process that must start at school. Objective: Create mathematical model for evaluating the sporting potential of schoolchildren athletics in speed, throwing, endurance events to test its psychometric properties. Methods: 2871 both sexes, from 11 17 years old, military school participated. Between 2015 2019, students were submitted multidimensional battery tests containing anthropometric, physical-motor, psychological, socio-environmental, maturational, performance indicators. In addition, ten teachers evaluated regarding intangibles aspects their expectation future success during this period. Adopting analytical heuristic procedures, Gold Score Athletics was created – linear, hybrid (tests + coaches´ eye), weighted index, according each indicator's importance, depending on event type. Results: validation sample (n = 1384), 13.9%, 16.6%, 11.7% boys 10.9%, 10.1%, 9.1% girls classified as high (Gold ≥ 60) throwing events, respectively. Internal consistency (r 0.76 0.82) diagnostic stability 0.72 0.81). The sprinters, throwers, long-distance runners, girls, higher selected national competition when compared those not (p < 0.001; d: 0.95 1.44) construct validity medalists an competition, held two after diagnosis, non-medalists 0.05; 0.62 1.87) predictive validity. Conclusion: valid reliable scientific sport's schoolchildren, being useful talents Athletics. Level Evidence II; Diagnostic study.