Argue the Case for Integration of Knowledge in Applied Practitioners in Soccer. Highlight the Extent to Which Integrated Sport Science Support Programmes Currently Operate in Soccer.

ssociation football, or soccer, is arguably the most popular sport in the world. The professional game has become one of the most competitive and lucrative industries not only within sport, but as a business in general. The First World Conference of Science and Football was held in 1987, it was this conference that represented a major step forward in effecting a link between theory and football practice (Reilly & Gilbourne, 2003). In the years since 1987 there has been a "systemization of sport science support" ( Reilly & Gilbourne, 2003 p.693) for football teams, especially at professional and elite levels. Areas focused on within the realm of applied sport science in soccer include biomechanics, nutrition, physiology, psychology and sociology. As football teams look for that competitive edge to push for success in soccer the need for applied practitioners is somewhat paramount for this advancement in performance. I shall present the argument for this integration of knowledge in applied practitioners by highlighting some examples of applied sport science support in soccer through some of the various disciplines, and how they contribute to the advancement of football practices.

Stolen et al. (2005) suggest that soccer performance depends on a myriad of factors such as technical/biomechanical, tactical, mental and physiological areas and that soccer in itself is not science, but that "science may help improve performance"(p.501). Efforts to improve football had often focused on technique and tactics, ignoring the importance of physical fitness. An example of how applied support has been used in support in a physiological context can be seen in Mohr et al.'s (2004) study of muscle temperature and sprint performance during soccer matches. They identified top class players perform less high intensity running in the initial phase of the second half compared to the first half. The investigation looked at whether this was tactical, caused by fatigue or lack of... [continues]

Read full essay