the most "consistent" football

サッカーWorld Cupで使用される公式ボールについて，BBCの記事から。
Fabio Capello said his players gave the new ball bad reviews, with some players saying it moves too quickly. And goalkeepers have claimed the new Jabulani ball is difficult to handle. But engineers at Loughbrough University claim that their tests show it is the most "consistent" football ever manufactured.
さて，このconsistentとはどういう意味で使われているでしょうか。consistentを辞書で調べると，「〈人が〉（主義言行などが）不変の, 首尾一貫した｟in ...｠」あるいは「〈成長などが〉着実な, 安定した」などがありました（『プログレッシブ英和中辞典』小学館）。しかし，この辞書訳をそのまま当てはめても，いまいち据わりがよくありません。そこでさらに記事を読み進めると，以下のような記述がありました。
"Fundamentally, what we are trying to achieve is a ball that is very consistent that allows the very best players in the world to express their skills," he says.
"So we're not looking for a ball that behaves unpredictably which would benefit a player that's not skilful. We want a ball that is very consistent that allows the best players to shine."
つまり，このconsistentは「環境に左右されにくい」という意味で使われていていることがわかります。岡田ジャパンにとってはbad newsかもしれませんね。（ゼミ生　Lbow-shoulder）
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science_and_environment/10231975.stm