Elite sailing is a complex sport that requires the combination of many factors (Sjøgaard et
al., 2015). In particular physical characteristics have become more important, as recent
format changes in elite sailing have resulted in a more competitive and physically
demanding environment (Bojsen-Mӧller et al., 2014). Considering the increased
competitiveness of elite senior sport (DeBosscher et al., 2007) maintaining a constant
stream of athletes capable of elite success must be achieved for success (Vaeyens et al.,
2009). This thesis aimed to improve the understanding of physical development below
Olympic level to optimise the British Sailing Team’s Olympic pathway programme.
The first experimental chapter identified components of fitness and anthropometrical
characteristics of successful elite development in sailing using semi-structured interviews
with a sample of experienced elite coaches and top world ranked sailors, including multiple
Olympians. Commonality was observed across the majority of physical characteristics,
revealing a high level of agreement, increases in physical demands at transition points
emerged as a key aspect. The second experimental chapter investigated the reliability,
validity and inter-relationships of upper body strength assessments for inclusion in the
Olympic pathway physical testing battery. Press-up and Supine pull tests were shown to be
reliable (ICC = 0.98) and valid when correlated to 1RMs (r = 0.92 to 0.98). This combined
with the time-conscious environment of mass field testing within the Olympic pathway,
resulted in these tests chosen as upper body strength testing methods within the physical
testing battery. The third experimental chapter explored methods used to predict Peak
Adult Height (PAH), establishing the approach of Khamis and Roche (1995) to best predict
PAH and estimate maturation status in Olympic pathway sailors. Confidence in these
methods enables greater individuality in the monitoring of sailor progression. Using the
physical profiling testing battery, the next chapter identified the physical characteristics of
elite Junior and Youth sailors, filling the gap of understanding below Olympic level. The final
experimental chapter identified the intra- and inter-individual variation of physical
development in pathway sailors relative to biological age-derived benchmarks.
This thesis provides a detailed understanding of the physical development of elite sailors
within the British Sailing Team’s Olympic pathway, confirming key characteristics of successful elite development and a sailing-specific physical testing battery to enable
assessment of a broad set of physical competencies required to meet the changeable
Olympic class environment. Application of this physical testing battery has generated a
novel cross-sectional analysis of pathway sailing classes in males and females, providing the
first insight into physical requirements of sailors below Olympic level. The individual
variation in physical development though the Olympic pathway has been highlighted,
reflecting the need for longitudinal monitoring of sailors relative to biological age.