Comparing the Expertise Acquisition Process among the Young Rock Climbers at Different Levels of Competition, Based on the Evolutionary Model of Sports Participation

The aim of the current study was to compare the expertise acquisition process between provincial and national rock climbing medalists. For this purpose, 50 rock climbing medalists (23 medalists at the provincial level and 27 medalists at the country level) were selected using available and purposive sampling methods. The history of Exercises was recorded using the Hopwood developmental history of athletes’ questionnaire. The obtained data were analyzed using ANCOVA, independent t-test, and the phi coefficient. No significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of the age of beginning rock climbing exercises. About 16% of the national medalists and 24% of the provincial medalists were single-sport athletes. In general, the amount of rock climbing exercises was significantly higher in the national medalists than in the provincial medalists. The average hour of mental skills training was significantly higher in the national medalists than in the provincial medalists in the age range of 16 years and older but no significant difference was observed between the two groups in a comparison between their average hours of performing bodybuilding exercises. The present study provides valuable information about the expertise acquisition process in rock climbers as well as a variety of activities which have been effective in acquiring their skillful performance. This information can help officials in educational planning, and can help parents to put their children in a better athletic path.