The Sony Ericsson WTA tour 10 year age eligibility and professional development review

Otis, C. L. and Crespo, M. and Flygare, C. T. and Johnston, P. R. and Keber, A. and Lloyd-Kolkin, D. and Loehr, J. and Martin, K. and Pluim, B. M. and Quinn, A. and Roetert, P. and Stroia, K. A. and Terry, P. C. (2006) The Sony Ericsson WTA tour 10 year age eligibility and professional development review. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 40 (5). pp. 464-468. ISSN 0306-3674

Abstract

Concerns have long existed over the participation of adolescent athletes in the world of professional sports. In 2004, the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour (WTA Tour) commissioned a Professional Development Advisory Panel (PDAP) to evaluate the Tour's Age Eligibility Rule (AER) and Professional Development Programs (PDP) for female tennis players since their inception in 1995. More than 75% of the 628 respondents supported the principles of the AER and 90% indicated a need for PDP. Statistical analysis of WTA Tour players' careers found premature retirements (players leaving the Tour at or before age 21) decreased significantly from 7% pre- AER to less than 1% afterward, and players' career length increased by 43%. The PDAP recommends the WTA Tour continue a phasedin,developmentally appropriate AER, enhance the PDP, and work with other sport-governing bodies to coordinate rules and programs at earlier ages to aid the transition of adolescents into adult sports.

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Item Type:	Article (Commonwealth Reporting Category C)
Refereed:	Yes
Item Status:	Live Archive
Additional Information:	Deposited in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.
Faculty/School / Institute/Centre:	Historic - Faculty of Sciences - Department of Psychology (Up to 30 Jun 2013)
Faculty/School / Institute/Centre:	Historic - Faculty of Sciences - Department of Psychology (Up to 30 Jun 2013)
Date Deposited:	15 Nov 2007 23:48
Last Modified:	04 Sep 2013 02:52
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Sony Ericsson; WTA; professional development; age eligibility rule; AER; sport; tennis
Fields of Research (2008):	11 Medical and Health Sciences > 1199 Other Medical and Health Sciences > 119999 Medical and Health Sciences not elsewhere classified 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1701 Psychology > 170114 Sport and Exercise Psychology 11 Medical and Health Sciences > 1106 Human Movement and Sports Science > 110601 Biomechanics
Fields of Research (2020):	42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4299 Other health sciences > 429999 Other health sciences not elsewhere classified 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5201 Applied and developmental psychology > 520107 Sport and exercise psychology 42 HEALTH SCIENCES > 4207 Sports science and exercise > 420701 Biomechanics
Socio-Economic Objectives (2008):	C Society > 92 Health > 9205 Specific Population Health (excl. Indigenous Health) > 920505 Occupational Health
Identification Number or DOI:	https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.2005.023366
URI:	http://eprints.usq.edu.au/id/eprint/3133

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