Multifactorial Patterns of Low Performance Development in German Elite Athletes

TL;DR

This study explores why some elite German athletes underperform, finding that multiple factors like physical, biological, and psychosocial traits combine in complex ways.

Contribution

The study identifies six distinct multifactorial patterns of low performance development in elite athletes.

Findings

Six distinct patterns of low performance were identified based on combinations of physical, biological, and psychosocial factors.

Generalizations about low performance are limited, highlighting the need for individualized approaches.

Cross-disciplinary patterns at the group level have limitations in explaining low performance.

Abstract

Low performance development (LPD) has been related to several training-related, biological or psychosocial factors. However, there is still hardly any comprehensive research on its multifactorial nature. This study explored whether factors previously associated with LPD manifest as cross-disciplinary pattern combinations across such athletes.

Cluster analyses were computed based on performance-related (speed and strength of the lower body), biological (ratio TNFα:IL10; fT3, leptin, insulin) and psychosocial (perceived social support; mental well-being) data from 62 of 296 elite athletes whose performance development was below the samples' average range. Group comparisons were calculated for demographic, anthropometric, nutritional and sleep-related variables, as well as for additional psychosocial (critical life events; perceived stress) and biological (single inflammatory markers) variables.

Six patterns were identified, which could be described via domain-specific characteristics (lower body dynamics and social support), via an interdisciplinary combination of factors (social support, mental well-being and/or lower body dynamics) or by no characteristic pattern at group level.

In general, this study extends research on LPD and illustrates the limited validity of generalisations while emphasising the additional value of individualisation for athletes who drop behind their peers. Moreover, the identified patterns point to the limitations of taking a cross-disciplinary approach at group level.

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