1. SPORT SCIENCE
Goran Sporiš

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

3. 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

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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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)

16. Sports Science – What is it?

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

18. Biology: interdisciplinary study of life

19. 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

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

21. 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

22. 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.

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

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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

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

29. 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

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

31. TESTING/RESEARCH/PROGRAMME PLANNING: TWO IMPORTANT CONCEPTS

32. EXERCISE CONTINUUM
STRENGTH
EXERCISE
POWER
EXERCISE
ENDURANCE
EXERCISE ?
STRENGTH
TRAINING
POWER
TRAINING
ENDURANCE
TRAINING

33. RECOVERY RECOVERY RECOVERY

34. 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

35. 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