Conceptualizing the systemic interplay of athlete development

The current article argues that future investigations of athlete development should include both environmental and genetic factors, as well as consider the interplay among these factors. First, the athlete systemic development (ASD) model is introduced and discussed relative to existing models of athlete development. Next, literature relevant to the ASD model from the disciplines of sport psychology, developmental psychology, and genetics are furnished in order to provide lines of evidence in support of the factors comprising the ASD model. Third, two statistical conceptualizations (i.e., structural equation modeling and hierarchical linear modeling) are presented in a manner that supports the efficacy of the structure of the ASD model. Throughout this review the authors advocate and argue for a systemic approach to better understand athlete development.