Current Talent Identification Models, Development of a New Model for Karate in Iran Based on Physical and Mental Readiness

The aim of this research was to investigate the situation of talent identification process and to collect Karate related indexes in Iran. For this purpose, 63 karate subjects, male (N=3) and female (N=32), participated and filled in 3 special questionnaires to identify present and optimal situation of talent identification and most important aspects of biometric, motor capabilities, psychological capacity and skill indexes. The data were analyzed by Pearson coefficient correlation (P≤0.05). The results showed that although the reaction time of hand and foot, flexibility, coordination, hand and foot length, agility and sergeant jump were the most important anthropometrical factors related to successful performance, but the reaction time of hand and foot, flexibility and coordination were significant predicators of discriminating athletes. In motor capabilities, the endurance of cardiovascular system played the main role and was an important predictor. In psychological capacity, two factors of concentration and self-confidence had a critical role and only concentration was a significant predictor. The results of this study showed no pattern for talent identification in Iran from coaches and athletes’ viewpoints.