A systematic review of talent identification practices in table tennis

JOURNAL of Applied Sports Sciences 9(2)/2025 3 OPEN ACCESS Submitted: 02 April 2025 Accepted: 31 July 2025 ORCID Rich Kite https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9336-4625 Harry O’Brien https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4295-8431 Emma Vickers https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0421-9926 Cite this article as: Kite, R., O’Brien, H., Vickers, E. (2025). A systematic review of talent identifi cation practices in table tennis. Journal of Applied Sports Sciences, 9(2), pp. 3 - 26. DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2025.09.02.1 Th is work is licensed under a Attribution-Non Commercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-SA 4.0) 3 Article Classifi cation: Review article A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF TALENT IDENTIFICATION PRACTICES IN TABLE TENNIS Rich Kite1, Harry O’Brien2, Emma Vickers3 1Bournemouth University, Bournemouth, United Kingdom 2Loughborough College, Loughborough, United Kingdom 3Table Tennis England, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom ABSTRACT Talent identifi cation (TID) within sport provides extensive development opportunities to enhance the potential for senior success. However, little is known about the eff ectiveness of TID in table tennis. Therefore, the objective of this systematic review is to examine current research and practice in TID in table tennis, identify commonalities, disparities, and gaps in the literature, and provide directions for future research on TID in table tennis. A search of the electronic databases (EBSCOhost, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and SPORTDiscus) was conducted from September 2023 to March 2025. The search terms utilized represented table tennis, talent, performance, giftedness, and athlete selection. In accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, 31 articles were thoroughly reviewed. The results established three common themes: morphological qualities, performance profi les, and player characteristics. A key fi nding established maturation bias as a limitation in talent identifi cation within table tennis, highlighting the importance of maturational assessments in future initiatives. Furthermore, given that most studies used a cross-sectional design, future research should consider longitudinal designs to provide a more accurate assessment of talent and development. Keywords: perceptual-motor skills, physical, maturation, racquet sports, performance testing, giftedness. INTRODUCTION Identifying and developing the best athletes is the overall pursuit of elite sport organizations. Given the extensive time requirements for the development of expertise (Baker & Young, 2014; Vaeyens et al., 2009) young athletes are often prioritized, given that they have the greatest opportunity to undertake longer-term systematic development (Vaeyens et al., 2009). In searching for young prospective athletes, talent identifi cation (TID) protocols are commonly used to recognize and subsequently develop individuals perceived as having the highest potential for senior success (Johnston et al., 2018; Vaeyens et al., 2008). Whilst the eff ectiveness of TID protocols remains relatively unknown, such practice will likely remain a cornerstone of sporting recruitment. Therefore, TID protocols and assessments warrant extensive investigation to ensure accurate understanding and interpretation of performance, whilst mitigating against potential bias or error. Table tennis is an open-skilled sport characterized by unpredictable and dynamic actions, demanding reactions within limited time frames (Doherty et al., 2018). Specifi cally, research in table tennis has identifi ed high demands for perceptual-cognitive and perceptual-motor abilities (Faber et al., 2015), emphasizing the importance of game understanding, decision-making, and anticipation skills, as well as a mastery of associated movement patterns (e.g., footwork, technical ability, bal- R. Kite, H. O’Brien, E. Vickers A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF TALENT ... 4 ance, etc.) (Faber, Bustin, et al., 2016; Faber et al., 2015). Thus, TID protocols in table tennis are inherently complex due to the need for diverse skill sets and advanced perceptual-cognitive abilities. Additionally, table tennis is considered an early specialization sport, whereby engagement within the sport from an early age is thought to be necessary to attain subsequent senior success (Faber et al., 2017a; Koopmann et al., 2023). Previous research has reported that athletes as young as 8-12 years are considered a special interest for TID purposes (Koopmann et al., 2023). However, this age range aligns with key developmental stages in youths (e.g., the growth spurt), whereby significant physical advancement occurs (Myburgh et al., 2019). Therefore, in the absence of such an acknowledgment, TID in table tennis is likely to be influenced by physical maturation. With the above-mentioned in mind, this review seeks to synthesize current research and practice of TID in table tennis. More precisely, the research seeks to investigate: i) the variations of methodological design (e.g., cross-sectional, retrospective, or longitudinal) and the focus of assessment (i.e., singular domain or multifaceted) used in literature to distinguish key performance attributes of table tennis; ii) the range of assessment instruments used to measure and assess performance (i.e., physical, cognitive and anthropometric profile); and iii) characteristic differentiation in identifying talent (e.g., age, sex, nationality). By highlighting the commonalities, disparities, and gaps in current knowledge, this review aims to offer future directions for refining and advancing TID offerings within table tennis, benefiting practitioners and organizations in identifying talent effectively and improving their talent identification processes. METHODOLOGY Search Strategy: Databases & Eligibility Criteria A systematic review was conducted to examine the current practice of talent identification in table tennis. The procedures were established prior to conducting the review, whereby relevant literature was determined following the Preferred Reporting of Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines (Page et al., 2021). Preliminary searches were conducted in August 2023 to identify standard search terms for distinguishing talented table tennis players. The electronic databases EBSCO Host, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and SPORTDiscuss were searched from September 2023 until March 2025, using the following search terms: ‘Table Tennis AND Talent*’, ‘Table Tennis AND Gift*’, ‘Table Tennis AND Select*’, and ‘Table Tennis AND Performance*’. Boolean operators (“AND”) and wildcards (“*”) were used to enhance the breadth of the search. To ascertain the appropriateness of the literature, an inclusion criterion was established: i) research must be relevant to talent identification in table tennis. Comparison of purely technical or tactical superiority was excluded as these were deemed irrelevant to identifying talent (typically focused on game strategy); ii) studies must be related to table tennis (i.e., not other racket sports); iii) studies must be available as full text; iv) studies must be written in English; and, v) studies must have been published within the last 10 years, for contemporary relevance. Study Selection Two reviewers (RK and HOB) assessed the articles following the PRISMA process. The literature was imported into an online systematic review management tool (Covidence, JOURNAL of Applied Sports Sciences 9(2)/2025 5 Australia), and duplicates were removed prior to screening. For the screening process, each reviewer worked independently. Using the inclusion criteria throughout, titles and abstracts were first assessed, and studies that met the criteria underwent full-text screening. At both screening stages, any conflicts regarding the eligibility of the research articles were resolved through discussion between the reviewers (RK and HOB). Lastly, data were extracted independently by both authors (RK and HOB). Quality of Literature To assess the methodological quality of the extracted literature, the McMaster critical review form was used (Law et al., 1998). The form assesses against 16 items, although the present study removed the application of point 9 (intervention applied) as deemed irrelevant to the reviewed literature, which aligns with previous studies (Faber, Bustin, et al., 2016; Sarmento et al., 2018). Articles were assessed on: 1) study objective; 2) a review of relevant literature; 3) appropriate research design; 4) sample description; 5) sample size justification; 6) informed consent procedure; 7) reliability assessment of outcome measures, 8) validity assessment of outcome measures; 10) statistical reporting; 11) analysis approach; 12) practical importance; 13) drop-out reporting; 14) appropriate conclusions; 15) practical implications; and 16) research limitations. Each item was scored with either a 1 (meets criteria), a 0 (does not meet criteria), “NA” (not applicable), or “?” (undetermined rating). Overall scores were presented as a percentage and were derived by summing the scores of all items and dividing them by the number of relevant scored items for each research article. This study adopted cut-off points set as ≤ 50% = low methodological quality, 51% to 75% = good methodological quality, and >75% = excellent methodological quality, in line with similar studies (Faber, Bustin, et al., 2016; Sarmento et al., 2018). Throughout the process, one reviewer conducted the methodological quality screening (HOB), and another reviewer verified the outcomes (RK). Disagreements between reviewers were resolved through discussion. The quality assessment established a mean value for all the studies of 73%, where 17 studies were considered excellent quality (> 75%), 12 studies considered good quality (51 to 75%), and two studies considered low quality (< 50%), with quality percentages summarised in Table 1. On further observation, low-quality studies were typically characterized by methodological issues (i.e., failure to report consent and/or the use of unreliable or invalid measures) and by outcome commentary (i.e., lacking statistical reporting and not highlighting study limitations). RESULTS Systematic Search The initial search identified 1822 manuscripts within the aforementioned databases. Following the removal of duplicates (n = 575), 1246 studies were eligible for review. Initial screening consisted of evaluating the relevance and eligibility of literature titles and abstracts, after which 1185 studies were removed. The remaining 61 manuscripts underwent full-text review, during which each study was assessed against the eligibility criteria, resulting in 30 additional exclusions. The systematic review identified 31 studies eligible for in-depth review (Figure 1). Exclusion of literature consisted of studies lacking full-text availability (n = 10), wrong study design (n = 12), wrong outcomes (n = 5), manuscript retraction (n = 1), methodological concerns (n = 1), or not being written in English (n = 1). R. Kite, H. O’Brien, E. Vickers A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF TALENT ... 6 Synthesis of Literature Upon reviewing the literature, three themes emerged (with additional sub-themes) outlining the variables reported to distinguish talent in table tennis: Morphological Qualities (anthropometrics and maturation); Performance Profile (components of fitness, perceptual-motor skills, and psychometric evaluation); and Player Characteristics (training history, handedness, and birth date distribution). A summary of the instruments used in the literature reporting significant results related to TID is presented in Figure 2. Figure 1. PRISMA flowchart outlining the review process JOURNAL of Applied Sports Sciences 9(2)/2025 7 Table 1. An overview of the reviewed literature Authors Title Population Sample Size Research Design (t1-t2)Overview of Research and Findings Quality Score Abazi et al. (2023) A cross-country validation between Kosovo and the Netherlands of the Dutch perceptual-motor skills assessment for talent detection in table tennis. 7-9-year recreational players from Kosovo and the Netherlands 391 MD + CSD The research aimed to compare performance on the Dutch perceptual-motor skills assessment across countries (the Netherlands and Kosovo) and identify significant differences. Moreover, country-specific normative values are required to enhance talent identification 80% Bilgiç & Güvenç (2024) The prevalence of relative age effects in a nationwide analysis of racket sports: Happy birthday? 5-85-year-old Turkish racket sport players 57476 UD + CSD Investigating the relative-age effect among racquetsport players, significant biases were observed in table tennis, suggesting that selection processes may inadvertently favor relatively older players within the same age group. 92% Coelho-esilva et al. (2022) Growth and maturity status of young male table tennis players. 8-15-year Portuguese and Polish competitive players 99 UD + CSD The research sought to identify the trend in maturity status among competitive table tennis players, noting that biological ages typically exceed chronological ages at landmark ages (i.e., the onset of PHV). 92% Djokić et al. (2017) Anthropometric characteristics of top-class world and European male table tennis players. World’s top 100 ITTF senior male players 75 UD + CSD The analysis of anthropometric profiles of the top 100-ranked male ITTF players found no differences between profiles and performance. 33% Doherty et al. (2018) Determinants for table tennis performance in elite Scottish youth players using a multidimensional approach: A pilot study. Scottish top 25-ranked Junior players 14 MD + LD (2016 - 2017) A multidimensional assessment model was developed and compared over a 1-year period. Maturation status was a confounding factor of performance, as was sprint ability and self-regulation capacity. 79% Elferink-Gemser et al. (2018) Higher-level cognitive functions in Dutch elite and sub-elite table tennis players Elite and sub-elite Dutch competitive players (NTTA) 60 UD + CSD Comparing cognitive functions in elite and sub-elite players, both groups outperformed average norms. When comparing the two groups, no significant differences emerged after controlling for training hours, suggesting that sport exposure may play a key role in cognitive development. 80% Faber et al. (2014) Does an eye-hand coordination test have added value as part of talent identification in table tennis? A validity and reproducibility study. 6-12-year Dutch (NTTA) recreational, regional, and national players 43 UD + CSD A hand-eye coordination test distinguished local training centers from players at regional and national standards. 80% R. Kite, H. O’Brien, E. Vickers A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF TALENT ... 8 Faber et al. (2015) The Dutch motor skills assessment as a tool for talent development in table tennis: a reproducibility and validity study. 6-10-year Dutch (NTTA) talent pathway players 113 MD + CSD The Netherlands table tennis motor skills assessment was measured for reliability and consistency, establishing acceptable reliability and good reproducibility. 73% Faber et al. (2016) Can perceptuo-motor skills assessment outcomes in young table tennis players (7-11 years) predict future competition participation and performance? an observational prospective study. 7-11-year-old Dutch (NTTA) talent pathway players 48 MD + LD (2011 – 2014) A motor skills assessment was compared with five sporting performance markers (competition outcomes) every 6 months (totaling 2.5 years). The assessment demonstrated 51-53% of performance outcomes, indicating it is a suitable instrument for assessing talent in table tennis. 71% Faber et al. (2017) Can an early perceptuo-motor skills assessment predict future performance in youth table tennis players? An observational study (1998-2013). 7-10yrs Dutch (NTTA) talent pathway players 1191 MD + CSD Of the four tests assessed (sprint, agility, speed while dribbling, and throwing a ball), all but agility were re lated to performance in girls, and all but agility and speed while dribbling in boys. However, the model’s accuracy was low, casting doubt on the use of the tests in isolation. 77% Faber et al. (2018) Does a perceptuomotor skills assessment add value in detecting table tennis talent in primary school children? 8-10-year Dutch talent pathway (NTTA) and recreational players 267 MD + CSD The assessment of 8 perceptuomotor skills (sprint, agility, vertical jump, speed while dribbling, aiming at a target, ball skills, throwing a ball, eye-hand co-ordination) identified primary-age children who possess the necessary skills to become gifted table tennis players. 71% Faber et al. (2020) Are performance trajectories associated with relative age among French top-100 youth table tennis players? – A longitudinal approach 13-18-year French Top 100 national players (FFTT) 1000 UD + LD (2013 – 2017) A longitudinal retrospective study design sought to acknowledge the influence of the relative age effect on performance. Only the U18 demonstrated a relative age bias. However, the small sample size and lack of Q4 participants challenge the findings. 79% Faber et al. (2020) The interaction between within-year and between-year effects across ages in elite table tennis in international and national contexts – A further exploration of relative age effects in sports. U15-Senior top 100 world, European, and national (France and the Netherlands) ranked players 1509 UD + CSD A retrospective cross-sectional design investigating relative age effects (RAE). The study found both within-year and between-year effects, identifying greater prominence of RAE in males than in females. 75% Faber et al. (2023) Can perceptuo-motor skills outcomes predict future participation in, drop-out from, and competition performance in youth table tennis players? A 9-year follow-up study. 7-10-year Dutch talent pathway (NTTA) players 57 MD + LD (2011 – 2020) Using a 9-year follow-up, the research found that perceptuo-motor skill assessments identified potential for drop-off whilst aligning with performance outcomes. The assessments ‘aiming at targets’ and ‘eye-hand coordination’ (when controlled for age and sex) were found to be the best predictors of performance, with an R2 of 36.4. 79% JOURNAL of Applied Sports Sciences 9(2)/2025 9 Katsi ka delis et al. (2014) Test-retest reliability of the “table tennis specific battery test” in competitive-level young players. Greek adolescent ranked players (HTTF) 30 MD + CSD In assessing the “table tennis specific battery test”, the findings suggest that this tool is reliable for assessing technical skills and tracking performance progress. 53% Koopman et al. (2023) Exploring the subjective beliefs of expert coaches on ‘talent’ and player selection in German table tennis German national and international coaches 15 MD + CSD Following in-depth interviews, coaches demonstrated a view of talent as dependent on multiple factors (profile, practice and experience, individual skills, and environmental factors). 83% Loffing & Schorer (2021) Handedness and Relative Age in International Elite Interactive Individual Sports Revisited. Top 200 senior international players between 2007 and 2016 942 MD + LD (2007 – 2016) Using a retrospective design, handedness and relative age bias were assessed in senior and youth athletes across a range of sports, spanning 10 years. Table tennis athletes had a higher proportion of left-handed players than the population estimate. A small relative age bias was also identified, but only in women. 64% Martinent et al. (2018) The prognostic relevance of psychological factors for participation and success in table tennis. 11-19yrs French competitive players (FFTT) 159 UD + LD (2009 – 2016) Analyzing psychological factors, the study found that sporting retention and performance were aligned with lower amotivation, disengagement-oriented coping, sport devaluation, and lower accomplishment scores. 86% Nikolić et al. (2019) Anthropometric characteristics and motor abilities of young female players in relation to competitive success. U11 Croatian female competitive players (CTTA) 40 MD + LD (Nd) Over a 2-year span, athletes were assessed using a wide battery of anthropometric and motor competency measures. Physical profile and agility tests distinguished relationships with performance. 58% Padula et al. (2016) Task complexity reveals the expertise of table tennis players High-level Italianranked players to nontable tennis play ers 28 UD + CSD In testing reaction speed and perceptual-cognitive reactions, reaction time differentiated only between table tennis players and non-players, whereas ball speed identified the standard of players. 67% Picabea et al. (2021) Physical fitness profiling of na tio nal category table tennis players: implications for health and per formance U12-senior Spanish mixed gender players 71 UD + CSD Components of fitness (strength, power, speed, flexibility) are influenced by age, with improvements observed from U12 to U20, whereas beyond this, performance declined. 80% Pion et al. (2014) Generic anthropometric and performance characteristics among elite adolescent boys in nine different sports. U18 Belgium national male players 141 MD + CSD Using the Flemish Sports Compass, a non-sport-specific assessment battery, the research sought to allocate participants to various sports (n=9) correctly. Table tennis showed no discrimination by anthropometric or physical fitness tests. Motor coordination tests discriminated between sporting allocation. 79% Pluta et al. (2020) The motor and leisure time conditioning of young table tennis players’ physical fitness. 9-17-year-old Polish regional and talent pathway players 87 UD + CSD The research primarily looks at associations between physical fitness tests and lifestyle determinants. Only the bent-arm hang test and the standing long jump distinguished performance standards. 79% R. Kite, H. O’Brien, E. Vickers A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF TALENT ... 10 Pluta et al. (2021) Somatic characteristics and special motor fitness of young top-level Polish table tennis players 9-17-year-old Polish regional talent pathway players 87 MD + CSD Anthropometry was determined to influence table tennis performance across a range of movements. Likewise, a dominant morphological structure was established, characterized by a mesomorphic physique. 87% Pradas et al. (2021) Anthropometric profiles in table tennis players: analysis of sex, age, and ranking. 7yrs - senior Spanish top-50 nationally ranked players (RSTTF) 495 UD + CSD Assessing eight skinfold measurements, the results indicated that healthy body composition was associated with table tennis involvement. Additionally, higher upper-body lean mass was associated with player rank, establishing morphological influence on performance 80% Pradas et al. (2022) Analysis of specific physical fitness in high-level table tennis players – sex differences Elite senior Spanish players 48 MD + CSD Assessing components of fitness in both men and women, the research found that men outperformed women across most assessments, except reaction time. A range of similar racket sports is discussed, considering normative values and the various differences with table tennis performance. 73% Robertson et al. (2018) A coach’s perspective on the contribution of anthropometry, physical performance, and motor coordination in racquet sports. Licensed table tennis coaches worldwide 177 MD + CSD Coach perceptions of racquet sports established table tennis as requiring the lowest demands in anthropometry, physical performance, and motor coordination. Although hand-eye coordination was the highest in table tennis. 73% Romann & Fuchslocher (2014) The need to consider relative age effects in women’s talent development. 10-20-year Swiss rec reational and talent pathway 3675 UD + CSD The relative age effect was assessed in table tennis, revealing a reverse effect: an overrepresentation of Q4 athletes. 46% Siener & Hohmann (2019) Talent orientation: the impact of motor abilities on future success in table tennis U13-U17 German club to national standard players 225 MD+ LD (2010 – 2014) In assessing motor skills, the study identified key performance indicators of later success in table tennis, with push-ups and sideward jumping as strong predictors of performance. 57% Widodo (2024) Developing reaction time measurement tool norms for table tennis athletes 17-18-year-old table tennis players 90 UD + CSD The study focused on developing a reaction time assessment instrument. The instrument demonstrated strong validity and reliability. Therefore, reaction times can be assessed and tracked. 54% Zhao et al. (2019) Physiological, anthropometric, and motor characteristics of elite Chinese youth athletes from six different sports. U15 & U16-aged Chinese national and international players 15 MD + CSD In reviewing a range of different sports, attempting to detect qualities aligned to each, table tennis was distinguished by lower leg length as the only anthropometric variable, dynamic back strength in motor qualities, and vital capacity as a physiological determinant. 86% Notes: Quality of studies was scored as >75% = excellent quality, 50-75% = good quality, and <50% = low quality. UD = Unidimensional, MD = Multidimensional, CSD = Cross-sectional design, LD = Longitudinal design, t1 - t2 = time point 1 to time point 2, Nd = No date stated. JOURNAL of Applied Sports Sciences 9(2)/2025 11 Figure 2. A summary of the instruments used within the literature. The number corresponds to each article that applied such an instrument (please see ‘study key’ for article numbers). R. Kite, H. O’Brien, E. Vickers A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW OF TALENT ... 18 the same age category. Beliefs of relative age advantages include the benefit of greater physical and cognitive development (Hill et al., 2020; Towlson et al., 2021). However, the constructs of somatic maturation and RAE should be viewed separately (Hill et al., 2020; Malina et al., 2019; Towlson et al., 2021). Given that maturational timing can significantly vary (as discussed above) (Malina et al., 2019), assumptions about maturation based on birth timing are flawed. Moreover, maturation should be assessed independently and used in conjunction with talent identification assessment and talent development tracking. In contrast, RAE may be worthwhile to track to determine whether this is a constructed bias on the part of selectors. Moreover, at present, the investigation into Player Characteristics has utilized limited inputs. Learning from other research in TID, it may be of interest to further explore an athlete’s wider sporting history (MacNamara & Collins, 2015), or even extend explorations to acknowledge parent and sibling sporting endeavors (Koch & Krenn, 2021; Tranckle & Cushion, 2006). It may be of further interest to understand the effectiveness of talent transfer, such as in other racquet sports, and how this may aid player history information. Limitations of the Literature A contentious issue highlighted throughout the reviewed literature is the sheer lack of longitudinal assessment. Reports have highlighted how utilizing cross-sectional designs to measure and compare talented players with less talented players is problematic, and instead, change over time (e.g., monitoring performance trajectory) is likely more informative to identify talent (Baker et al., 2018; Till & Baker, 2020; Vaeyens et al., 2008; Williams et al., 2020). Of the 31 studies reviewed, 8 used a longitudinal approach. Future research should be mindful of the issues raised, and whilst longitudinal research designs are inherently challenging to complete (with considerations for drop-out, ongoing participant access, etc.), the outcomes provided are potentially more informative for accurate talent assessment. Sample size and characteristics are further areas of challenge throughout the literature. Studies have reported small sample sizes (e.g., one study with 6 participants), casting doubt on the statistical findings. Likewise, when considering the sample characteristics, there has been a disparity in methods accounting for sex differences, with current results typically exhibiting either singular sex or mixed-sex outcomes. Understanding sex-specific criteria is highly informative, given the probable variations in abilities. Likewise, ages have ranged from youth to senior age. However, without further research to investigate these potential variations, development plans and performance assessments will likely remain generic across age and sex, potentially increasing the risk of misidentification. Therefore, caution must be taken when comparing non-homogeneous groups, whereby research has reported participants by a variation of different standards (e.g., school students, recreational, national, talent pathway athletes, regional, etc.) and nations (China, Poland, France, Scotland, etc.), which must account for the differing player demands and needs. Practical Applications In light of this study’s findings, several re com mendations can be made to support TID initiatives in table tennis. Given that ta- JOURNAL of Applied Sports Sciences 9(2)/2025 19 ble tennis has highlighted a focus on young players near the average age of PHV (boys = 13.8 yrs; girls = 11.9 yrs) (Cumming et al., 2017), and an acknowledgement of a potential maturational bias, a direction for talent identification initiatives in table tennis would be for the inclusion of maturation assessment and the use of allometric scaling (accounting for maturation) where appropriate. Whilst a range of non-invasive, simple-to-administer somatic maturation prediction equations exist, practitioners should be both cautious and diligent when choosing the methods used to assess maturity status. Whilst beyond the scope of this paper, readers are referred to research by Malina et al. (Kozieł & Malina, 2018; Malina et al., 2006, 2007, 2015) that discusses the benefits and limitations of various simple, non-invasive methods of assessing maturation. The present findings may offer insights towards TID initiatives, accounting for sex and age variations and performance expectations. Whilst merely speculative, TID programs emphasizing ‘talent detection’ – the detection of new players not currently participating in the sport (anticipated to be from early ages), who may benefit from specific components of fitness tests, psychometric assessments of motivation, as per findings by Martinent et al. (2018), and various perceptual-motor assessments (Faber et al., 2015). Conversely, TID programs that emphasize talent selection – the selection of currently competitive players into performance pathway squads (anticipated older ages), may benefit more from the application of more longitudinal assessment of holistic performance, over isolated assessments of abilities, as per TID research insights (Vaeyens et al., 2008). Further understanding is required to distinguish sex differences. Given the inconsistency in testing outcomes or poor-quality scores presented in articles, specific test recommendations are unknown and warrant further research. Study Limitations This study is not without its limitations. One such limitation is the restriction on the sources used to collect literature, thereby neglecting the use of grey literature. Furthermore, it may be suggested that a broader range of databases is used in future research to ensure a full breadth of literature is attained. In summary, whilst best efforts were made to obtain relevant literature through resources accessible to the authors, the use of additional grey literature and databases may have further aided the collection of literature. Finally, given that some of the studies were determined as poor-quality (exhibiting a score <50%) (i.e., Djokic et al. 2017; Romann & Fuchslocher, 2014), this may challenge the established findings for the broader population. CONCLUSION The literature review on the processes for identifying talented table tennis players yielded a wealth of conflicting findings. Multifaceted assessments are required to identify talented players, yet the current findings reveal disparities by age and ability. However, selection bias was acknowledged and must be accounted for, namely, within maturational assessment. 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