ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the historical evolution of the nature versus nurture debate, particularly in sport, before highlighting evidence for an interactionist perspective. Understanding the foundations of this debate will help scientists, coaches and athletes develop a more informed understanding of the range of influences affecting human performance and sporting achievement. Proponents of learning in sport have championed the deliberate practice (DP) perspective because it places at the fore processes associated with acquired characteristics necessary to adapt and respond to unique demands to become an elite athlete. A question that may be presently posed is whether the DP framework is suitable for explaining phenomena related to the road to excellence or whether it is a highly compartmentalised paradigm for testing highly-specific phenomena of only the most exceptional performers. Renewed focus should be granted to using the DP framework to better understand the possibilities of practice and practice-related factors in the process of talent development.
