SPORT SCIENCE Goran Sporiš

Foundations of Exercise and Sports Science Introduction Science of Human Movement Interdisciplinary Science Multiple Applications

Foundations of Exercise and Sports Science Emergence of a Scientific Discipline Scientific discipline has a central focus Merging disciplines create new ones More advances with combined research Common interests are sometimes the cause

Foundations of Exercise and Sports Science Exercise Science and Related Disciplines Multiple parent disciplines including: Physics Chemistry Physiology/Anatomy Medicine

Creation and growth of a new “discipline” or an “interdisciplinary” area of study occurs as a result of the interaction of previous work and the growth of related disciplines – this interaction can be noted from a historical perspective

The scope of Exercise and Sports Science –three primary areas Psychology: deals with the behavioral aspects of exercise and sport including the learning aspects Physiology: how physiologic systems respond and adapt to human movement Biomechanics: the study of physical/mechanical principles that underlie human motion

Foundations of Exercise and Sports Science Exercise and Sports Science— “New” Interdisciplinary Sciences Characteristics of Science A “science” needs objectivity and evidence There is a need to distinguish between anecdotal and scientific evidence

Foundations of Exercise and Sports Science In search of Truth in Science (and Advertising) Testimonial approach – often incorrect assumptions Tenacity - Propaganda Knowledge of authority Rationalistic method – may lead to a right or wrong hypothesis A scientific method can alleviate inappropriate conclusions

Foundations of Exercise and Sports Science The Scientific Method The goal is to discover what is true – science is not a philosophical debate Basic tenet – the truth is out there and it can be measured Questions lead to research Observation: A phenomenon to be explained Hypothesis: A logical explanation Experiment: A scientific study to verify hypotheses The statistical approach A mathematical tool to understand the evidence

The Research Continuum: a generalization Basic Applied performance mechanisms Translational Sports Scientists Exercise Scientists

Foundations of Exercise and Sports Science Basic Versus Applied Research Basic Research To acquire new knowledge Knowledge has to be developed before it can be applied Translational Research: bridging the gap between basic and applied – “assigns” mechanisms to applied findings Applied Research Obvious applications (sport – health) Answers very specific research question

Foundations of Exercise and Sports Science Animal Research in Exercise and Sports Science Many advances obtained through research on animals Animals have also benefitted Often combined with human research The goal is to enhance the knowledge of Exercise and Sports Science

Foundations of Exercise and Sports Science The Research Continuum Questions may lead to other areas of science Need basic, translational and applied research Maximum usefulness when adjacent levels understand and communicate the issues of other levels

Foundations of Exercise and Sports Science Movement at Every Level Performance continuum: Individuals at different levels Three categories Subnormal Normal Supernormal Studying all three categories yields a better understanding of Exercise Science

Professional and Interest Group Organizations Associated with Exercise and Sports Sciences (Examples) American Alliance of Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD) American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) European College of Sports Medicine (ECSM) International Society of Biomechanics in Sports (ISBS) National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) United Kingdom Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA)

Sports Science – What is it?

SPORTS SCIENCE MECHANISMS PERFORMANCE EXERCISE SCIENCE ADULT FITNESS/ MEDICAL ASPECTS PAEDIATRIC FACTORS GERIATRIC FACTORS ERGONOMICS NUTRITION PERFORMANCE

Biology: interdisciplinary study of life

EXERCISE SCIENCE: GENERAL TERM - study of biological responses and adaptations to exercise and training depends upon the disciplines of biomechanics, physiology, psychology, sociology, mechanical, electrical, and computer engineering includes various specialities

SPORT SCIENCE: enhancement of sport performance and sport equipment through the application of scientific methods and principles

EXERCISE SCIENTISTS: - use exercise or training to understand biology SPORT SCIENTISTS: - use biology to understand sport function to bridge the gap between science and sport

To be a better sport scientist: 1. be a very good scientist 2. be interested in the sport(s) and the development of elite performance 3. have a knowledge of the sport(s) – a personal interest 4. have a knowledge of the training practices and outcomes 5. be willing to do the training – to better understand the sport 6. organize regular discussions with athletes and coaches 7. understand the politics 8. provoke thought and challenge Become part of the sport.

SPORTS SCIENCE: BASIC FUNCTIONS 1. EDUCATION 2. SPORTS TESTING AND FEEDBACK 3. RESEARCH

EDUCATION 1. coach (coaching the coach) the students 2. athlete 3. other sports scientists – be a mentor to the junior scientists

SPORTS TESTING AND FEEDBACK INTEGRATED APPROACH PICK THE BEST TESTS – BUT: - a relatively simple test - good reliability - insure fast and reliable feedback for coaches and athletes - make sure the results are comprehensible and usable ONGOING RE-EXAMINATION OF TESTING SERVICE

RESEARCH a diligent and systematic enquiry or investigation in order to discover facts or principles to investigate carefully SEARCH FOR THE TRUTH AND CLARITY CURRENTLY - WITHOUT RESEARCH – SPORT RARELY ADVANCES

RESEARCH AND SPORT SCIENCE 1. Practical 2. How can it be applied? – Not always apparent to the coach/athlete 3. Performance oriented - coach - sport scientists interaction - results should be reported as soon as possible - often carried out within the sports testing programme

DEVELOP INNOVATIVE TESTING-RESEARCH PROGRAMMES Example: Make sure the coaches are involved in collecting data - sport testing - research - talent identification

A NECESSITY: INTEGRATED PROGRAMME PLANNING Why should coaches be interested in Sport Science? – a good coach does not simply imitate but innovates Art and Science IDEALLY- SPORT SCIENCE , the NGB’S AND COACHES WORK TOGETHER TO FORMULATE A TRAINING/TESTING PROGRAMME

THE IDEAL: DELIVERING SPORT SCIENCE TO THE ELITE ATHLETE AND COACHES NGB COACH/ATHLETE USOC SPORT SCIENCE DATA COLLECTION NGB SS COMMITTEE

TESTING/RESEARCH/PROGRAMME PLANNING: TWO IMPORTANT CONCEPTS

EXERCISE CONTINUUM STRENGTH EXERCISE POWER EXERCISE ENDURANCE EXERCISE ? STRENGTH TRAINING POWER TRAINING ENDURANCE TRAINING

RECOVERY RECOVERY RECOVERY

Foundations of Exercise Science Summary Points Exercise Science and Sports Science are new fields of study formed by merging other disciplines The major areas of concentration include: physiology, biomechanics and psychology Anecdotal evidence can be presented through: the testimonial approach, tenacity, knowledge of authority, and rationalistic method

Foundations of Exercise Science Summary Points (cont.) Scientific method uses : controlled observation, hypothesis, and experimentation Basic research lays a foundation for Applied and “Translational” research, which allows for improvements to specific areas of Exercise and Sports Science