| The purpose of this study was to describe the training factors and resources that affect the developmental patterns of two groups of female distance runners; a group invested in competition and a group that recently ceased their investment. Ten female distance runners competing at the university level (competitors ) were compared with ten females who had withdrawn from competitive running upon entering university (recreational participants). All participants completed a structured retrospective interview used to elicit information about the athletes' development. The variables assessed included contextual variables, developmental milestones, performance milestones, physical build, health, current time involvement, extra-curricular activities, running training information, school physical resources, family background, social support from family, coaches, and peers, as well as motivational orientation and commitment.;The findings show that competition, goal orientation, supplementary training activities, physical build, family support, training partners, parental physical activity, as well as current time management are key variables that are related to decisions by female distance runners to invest in competition in the university years.;The results indicate that competitors participated in competition more through development and also had a greater number of training partners, on average, for each year of their running involvement. The competitors were more ego-oriented throughout development. Competitors were found to rate family support higher and had parents that were less involved in their own physical activities. In addition, competitors were taller than their peers throughout development. Recreational participants began non-sport specific training (e.g., weight training) earlier in development. |
