A critical review of the role of coordinated sport science support
A critical review of the role of coordinated sports science support and its importance to elite level performance
Sport today has changed greatly from 40 years ago where love for the sport and intrinsic rewards were the main motivations (Green & Houliham, 2010). In the present day with mass exposure and popularity of elite level sport along with big financial rewards and losses at the highest levels (Hardman & Jones, 2011), and increased level of performance in sport (Collins, Moore, Mitchell & Alpress, 1999) coaches are under pressure to deliver successful performance results (Richardson, Anderson & Morris, 2008). With this level of investment and interest from the masses, fulltime professional careers for athletes have been created who dedicate their lives to their sports, putting their bodies and minds on the line and increasing risk of negative health effects (Hanstad & Waddington, 2009). According to Pipe (2001), it is sport coaches and sport science support (SSS) responsibility to act as an athlete’s advocate and reduce these negative health effects, protecting their health and well-being. Southgate (2012) highlighted that margins between podium places are getting narrower and the increased need to look at all options to find improvements, requiring specialist sport science skills to be able to measure, interpret and improve particular areas. This pressure from dedication levels of athletes, financial rewards/ loses, smaller winning margins and exposure by the media and the public that stresses the importance of the athlete receiving the most thorough and professional service possible. To provide this service, coaches and sporting organisations are increasingly seeking SSS (Lees, 2003; Collins et al. 1999), and ultimately enhancing athletic performance (Williams & Kendal, 2007; Hooper, 2006). Due to the above-mentioned issues it is essential to consider the most efficient and effective way for coordinated SSS to work, however with coordinated SSS
Sport today has changed greatly from 40 years ago where love for the sport and intrinsic rewards were the main motivations (Green & Houliham, 2010). In the present day with mass exposure and popularity of elite level sport along with big financial rewards and losses at the highest levels (Hardman & Jones, 2011), and increased level of performance in sport (Collins, Moore, Mitchell & Alpress, 1999) coaches are under pressure to deliver successful performance results (Richardson, Anderson & Morris, 2008). With this level of investment and interest from the masses, fulltime professional careers for athletes have been created who dedicate their lives to their sports, putting their bodies and minds on the line and increasing risk of negative health effects (Hanstad & Waddington, 2009). According to Pipe (2001), it is sport coaches and sport science support (SSS) responsibility to act as an athlete’s advocate and reduce these negative health effects, protecting their health and well-being. Southgate (2012) highlighted that margins between podium places are getting narrower and the increased need to look at all options to find improvements, requiring specialist sport science skills to be able to measure, interpret and improve particular areas. This pressure from dedication levels of athletes, financial rewards/ loses, smaller winning margins and exposure by the media and the public that stresses the importance of the athlete receiving the most thorough and professional service possible. To provide this service, coaches and sporting organisations are increasingly seeking SSS (Lees, 2003; Collins et al. 1999), and ultimately enhancing athletic performance (Williams & Kendal, 2007; Hooper, 2006). Due to the above-mentioned issues it is essential to consider the most efficient and effective way for coordinated SSS to work, however with coordinated SSS
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