ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the potential relevance of the windows of optimal development and vulnerability notions to talent identification and development in sport. In his work on the development of expertise in sport, Ericsson has maintained that an early start is often necessary because certain anatomical and physiological adaptations necessary for elite performance can be most easily made during sensitive phase or sensitive period (SPs) that occur during physical maturation. A clear implication of the aforementioned research on potential SPs for anatomical, physiological, psychological, and motor skill development is that parents need to be educated about the consequences of early environmental enrichment and deprivation for child development to ensure that the pool of potentially talented athletes is as large as possible. Two potential risks of starting sport participation too early are the development of bad habits in perceptual and cognitive processes.
