Consultant: Institute of Child Health, University of London


The Research
This study was commissioned by the Sports Council (now Sport England) in 1986 following growing concern about the negative effects of intensive training on children, particularly in respect of premature retirement from sport through physical and psychological "burn-out". The results of the study also offered a wider picture of the young athlete, examining a variety of areas which affected their progress in sport, for example, family background and lifestyle.

TOYA was a longitudinal study which involved 453 youngsters in four sports: gymnastics, football, swimming and tennis. The youngsters were representative of the elite young athletic population as a whole in these sports and their selection was made by national and regional coaches from each sport. Ages ranged from 8 to 16 years at the start of the study which lasted for a period of three years. During the three years of the study the youngsters underwent a series of annual assessments to measure:

• Growth and maturation
• Injuries, medical history and health
• Muscular strength
• Flexibility
• Respiratory function
• Psychological status
• Lifestyle.

Towards the end of the survey period the athletes' coaches were also interviewed to ascertain details of the athletes' training programmes and also the behaviour and beliefs of the coaches themselves.

Progress to date: Project completed

Reports: (unavailable electronically)
A total of 11 reports have been published as a result of this study.

TOYA and the Identification of Talent (1);
TOYA and the Identification of Talent (2);
TOYA and Lifestyle;
TOYA and Retirement;
TOYA and Intensive Training;
TOYA and Education;
TOYA and Sports Injuries;
TOYA, Physical Fitness and Growth;
TOYA and Health;
TOYA and Coaching;
TOYA and Fair Play.