The Role of Coordinated Sports Science Support - Coursework Example

A critical review of the role of coordinated sports science support and its importance to elite level performance Introduction: Recent researches have proved that the service of coordinated sports science support can be an effective integrated training program to ensure the discipline of physiology and psychology among athletes and sports teams. Implementation of fundamental and research informed approaches plays a vital role in sporting performance of athletes and training professionals. Players and athletes to achieve peak level of performance because of injuries and stresses. Necessity of higher performance always forces the people to invent new approaches and methods. Jan Borms et al state: “The quest for higher levels of performance leads to innovations in the process of training and thus to deeper understanding of coaching and further development of coaching science/theory” (Borms et al p.125). It requires the service of training program, having advanced technologies and medical facilities, to keep them fit. Sport science support gives excellent athlete support services and it includes sport medicines along with the assistance of surgeons and doctors. Studies have proven the fact that coordinated sports performance works directly with the most excellent service contributors in various institutions in the North West and North Wales. In the light of various practical barriers, the service of sports science programs contributes for the physiological and psychological support for contemporary sports. Significance of coordinated sports science support programs in sports: Sport occupies a prominent place in current culture and high performing athletes receive a high level of monetary and social return. So, there is considerable motivation which is essential for athletes to do well. Present sports training programs are not sufficient to meet the physiological and psychological needs of athletes. On the other hand, e sports science program gives support to athletes by boosting up sports values and ideologies. The article, Latest News mentions: “This new programme will equip students with knowledge and skills to provide support in the sport, exercise and health and science industries.” (New degree in applied sport and exercise science. n.d). In elite sporting surroundings every person has to work in a multi-disciplinary group under of a performance chief, head trainer or administrator. Participants hopeful of elevation to elite rank are expected to want their services in a regular manner. It also provides the best environment in which to address appropriate performance impacting problems. Coordinated sports science support programs are quite different from existing sports training programs and it includes the services of nutritionist, psychologist and neurologist in its package. Sport science is now geared towards a technological outlook and tailor made to meet individual requirements. The book entitled Power and global sport: zones of prestige, emulation and resistance by Joseph A. Maguire remarks; “Sports sciences equipped with a multidisciplinary perspective on studying people ‘in the round ‘would then be better placed to explore aspects of human development more generally.” (Maguire 2005, p.170). The progress of performance in competitions can be attained only through training practice that is capable of to encouraging and optimizing automation of ability and metabolic functions. Training enhances the confidence of athletes and inculcates in them a keen sense of self discipline, which are imperative traits when participating in competitions. Sport activities are an amalgamation of power, speed and patience. The article, Sport Science Support attributes: “Scientific assessment, intervention and various modifications can be used to monitor fitness, alter training, prevent injury, improve performance, alter technique, monitor the effectiveness of coaching and improve physical and psychological preparation prior to competition.” (Sport science support, n.d). Good coaching is essential for an excellent performer, especially in sports. The book entitled The Global Sporting Arms Race: An International Comparative Study on Sports states that:” On average, three out of four elite athletes gave a good or satisfactory rating to the level of support received from their various coaches.” (Bosscher, Bingham & Shibli 2008, p.104). Professionals in coordinated sports support settings use most of their time on the cognitive or planned fundamentals, whereas coaches of beginners focus mainly on the essentials of the sport.. The concept of support team, comprising of coaches, team doctors, team of physiotherapists, team physiologists, and especially only just Athlete Career and Education (ACE) administrators. Is this gaining popularity? At the same time they ensure possible training and support for athletes. Governments in various countries have given specific and flexible support to elite sport development. In their collaborative effort entitled, Elite sport development: policy learning and political priorities Mick Barrie Houlihan attribute: “In addition the government is funding the establishment of up to 400 specialist sports collages (SSCs) (DfES/DCMS2003), which have, among their various functions, the responsibility to act as the first rung on the talent development ladder and thus form an important part of a planned, co-ordinated and integrated organizational and administrative model of elite sport development.” (Green & Houlihan 2005, p.60). Sport presentation has mainly four different characteristics which again can be divided into a number of subcategories. Several categories are rooted in physical confidence while the other aspect is tending according to needs and deficits. In sports science support program, one can notice the search for presentation development among the candidates that make improvement in individual work or performance. Even though a participant or the trainer can separate areas on which to focus in exercise, the final result is possible to be enhanced. Wendy Melissa Williams comments that; “If all possible changes in performance related to training are attained after a fairly limited period of practice, this argument logically implies that individual differences in final performance must reflect innate talents and natural abilities.” (Williams 1999, p.205). Some evidence point out to the fact that total quantity and quality of training are significant variables in accepting how one reached the position of ‘specialist or expert’ in any field. There are important ecological issues that too contribute to the growth of outstanding performance. The accessibility of vital resources, such as instruction and training can considerably manipulate the ability to take on the essential amounts of elevated excellence training. One more factor that emerges to influence the attainment of expertise is the relative age factor. A scholarly article, Nurturing sport expertise: factors influencing the development of elite athlete, purports that “Research on the relative age effect suggests that the development of elite athletes is based in part on age differences and unequal access to training opportunities.” (Baker et al 2003, p.4). Areas and issues that may hinder the efficient coordination of sport science support: There are lots of barriers that hinder the success of athletes. They continue to face larger challenge than ever before. Sport performance includes a combination of moving factors, biomechanical function, and guidance systems. Even though implementation of coordinated sports science support gives great results in sports, hindrance in some areas like funds, availability of medical professionals, empirical support and programs will affect the implementation of coordinated sports science support programs. There are many features that can add to success but these will be different depending on the particular sport. Absence of studies in the field of elite athletics creates problems in implementing coordinated sports science support program. “One challenge facing those who seek to apply science to sports performance is the fact that essentially all of the published research is based on non-elite athletes.” (Maughan 2009, p.3). The main social issues concerning sports are the sub-disciplines of sport science which are divided into three areas that are biophysical area, psychosocial area and socio-cultural area. Biophysical area: In the fields of biophysical area coordinated sports science program focuses on biomechanics, physiology and medicine. It recognizes how the body uses importance, inertia, balance, force and power. Exercise physiology is the study of human systems to improve speed, power and stamina. Sports medicine observes the treatment, care, and avoidance of injuries reasoned by contribution in physical movement and sport. The main concern in this area is the absence of trained professionals. Various physiological functions such as the functioning of the glands, contraction of muscles etc are also significant in daily exercise of athletes and it requires effective electrolytes. “Electrolytes are also important in maintaining acid –base balance.” (Jenkins 2005, p.91). Psychosocial area: Psychosocial area focuses on physical movement. It includes spot psychology, motor learning and behaviour and pedagogy. “Sport psychology is the study of human behaviour in sports.” (Woods 2007, p.12). It needs enough empirical support from athletes, authorities and social organizations. Various social institutions such as schools and colleges can make available numerous helps in various training programs. Socio-cultural area: Socio-cultural area focuses on physical activity and it needs professionals in philosophy and sociology. Their major area of sport history describes the custom and performance of physical activities in different countries. The web article Sports History Training Programs and Requirements attributes: “Students study the history and historical relevance and context of popular sporting pastimes and recreational events.” (Sports History Training Programs and Requirements, 2010). Sport sociology describes sport and physical activity in social settings and society in which people live. Limited studies and researches in this field often prevent evaluation of scheduling of appropriate training programs. “It is an example of a so-called theme, integration, interdisciplinary and cross disciplinary scientific field in contrast to the long established sciences like philosophy, medicine, law and mathematics which can be called discipline-oriented sciences.” (Borms, J., 2009, p.82). Problem of sufficient fund or sports expenditure in the field of coordinated sports science support: Lack of financial monitoring and funds have prevented the smooth functioning of coordinated sports science support programs in existing sports settings. At present, in many countries, government resources and funds are not sufficient for sports and games. Russell Hoye et al report that; “As a result, sport assistance cannot always be guaranteed and it must compete with defense, health, policing, social welfare and education.” (Hoye et al. 2009, p.19). Existing sport training programs are subjected to defective monitoring and lack of medical support. Government and sports authorities should take immediate actions for collecting sustainable funds for sport science support programs. An online article titled, Excellence strategy, remarks: “Implement multi-year funding to sport organizations to promote effective long-term planning and implementation.” (Sport excellence strategy, 2005, p.6). Conclusion: There exists ample evidence to support the fact that coordinated sports science support can ensure structured performance and effective service in the field of contemporary sports. It motivates both athletes and sports training professionals. The International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching points out that” Scientific research is embraced in the quest to uncover, understand and develop the processes involved in sports coaching and elite performance.” (Jenkins, 2010). It also enhances the performances of athletes and training professionals. As a field which have moved from its own initial stage, coordinated sports science faces some obstacles in different areas such as financial monitoring, lack of trained professionals, Socio-cultural area, socio-cultural area, psychosocial area, absence of empirical support and limited studies in elite athletics. Absence of researches and studies in the field of sport science support hinder the effective coordination of various programs. Therefore, more through and specific research will be requires in this field. Reference List Baker, J. et al., 2003. Nursing sports expertise: Factors influencing the development of elite athlete. [Online] Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, p.4. Available at: http://www.jsportscimed.org/vol2/n1/1/v2n1-1pdf.pdf [Accessed 27 November 2010]. Borms, J., 2009. Directory of sport science: A journey through time: The changing face of ICSSPE. [Online] Human Kinetics, p.82. Available at: http://books.google.co.in/books?id=bazlQ7WHu0C&pg=PA84&dq=areas+and+issues+of+the+sport+science+support&hl=en&ei=GwnvTKDzEtDzccylxbEK&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDAQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=areas%20and%20issues%20of%20the%20sport%20science%20support&f=false [Accessed 27 November 2010]. Bosscher, V. D. Bingham, J. & Shibli, S., 2008. The global sporting arms race: An international comparative study on sports policy factors leading to international sporting success. [Online] Meyer & Meyer Verlag, p.104. Available at: http://books.google.co.in/books?id=41PXkIRtgSMC&pg=PA102&dq=coordinated+sports+science+to+elite+level+performance&hl=en&ei=DgvuTIaGIpGsugOZueHQDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CDgQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q&f=false [Accessed 27 November 2010]. Green, M. & Houlihan, B., 2005. Elite support development: Policy learning and political priorities. [Online] Routledge, p.60. Available at: http://books.google.co.in/books?id=ikt38lcoC3oC&pg=PA60&lpg=PA60&dq=role+of+coordinated+sports+science+support+and+its+importance+to+elite+level+performance.%E2%80%9D&source=bl&ots=2NQiWS0iOd&sig=UYyDlBTSk5CdTk7X9_02ETV8oU&hl=en&ei=2vtTLKPG426ugPI1uHODQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&sqi=2&ved=0CCgQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q&f=false [Accessed 27 November 2010]. Hoye, R. et al., 2009. Sports management: Principles and applications. [Online] Butterworth Heinemann, p.19. Available at: http://books.google.co.in/books?id=nxWQ_nE1wZsC&pg=PA18&lpg=PA18&dq=coordinated+sports+science+support+program&source=bl&ots=d28TguPfJb&sig=fKFztIw-dzCCslNzU7A9PL1EsE&hl=en&ei=q7bvTJpKM3zccyGoZcK&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CDMQ6AEwBTgK#v=onepage&q&f=false [Accessed 27 November 2010]. Jenkins, Simon, 2010. Vision and Mission Statement. International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching. [Online] Available at: http://www.multi-science.co.uk/sports-science&coaching.htm [Accessed 27 November 2010]. Jenkins, SP. R., 2005. Sports science handbook: I-Z. [Online] Multi-Science Publishing, p.91. Available at: http://books.google.co.in/books?id=6ZwlbDxHK_UC&pg=PA97&lpg=PA97&dq=coordinated+sports+science+support&source=bl&ots=am5BlD0WtN&sig=kfPM0bC0gQnVxPRfJxZell_mxmo&hl=en#v=onepage&q&f=false [Accessed 27 November 2010]. Maguire, J. A., 2005. Power and global sport: zones of prestige, emulation and resistance. [Online] Routledge, p.170. Available at: http://books.google.co.in/books?id=sPW0qL6ECm4C&pg=PA163&dq=sports+science+support+in+++sport%E2%80%99&hl=en&ei=lCvuTJjlN4uMvQOHvODIDQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&sqi=2&ved=0CDsQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=sports%20science%20support%20in%20%20%20sport%E2%80%99&f=false [Accessed 27 November 2010]. Maughan, R. J., 2009. The Olympic textbook of science in sport. [Online] Wiley-Blackwell, p.3. Available at: http://books.google.co.in/books?id=5ONZx_Y_lC4C&pg=PA1&dq=what+is+sport+science&hl=en&ei=QPuTOi8Bcv4ca6V_Y8K&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CEoQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q&f=false [Accessed 27 November 2010]. Sport excellence strategy, 2005. [Online] Canadian Heritage: Patrimoine Canadian, p.6. Available at: http://www.pch.gc.ca/pgm/sc/pubs/excllnc/sport_excellence-eng.pdf [Accessed 27 November 2010]. Sports History Training Programmes and Requirements, 2010. [Online] Educational Portal.com available at: http://education-portal.com/sports_history_training.html [Accessed 27 November 2010]. Sport science support, n.d. [Online] University of Chester. Available at: http://www.chester.ac.uk/departments/ses/support [Accessed 27 November 2010]. New Degree in Applied Sports and Exercise Science. n.d. [Online] University of the West of Scotland. Available at: http://www.uws.ac.uk/schoolsdepts/science/sports-studies/news.asp [Accessed 27 November 2010]. Williams, W. M., 1999. The nature-nurture debate: The essential readings. [Online] Wiley-Blackwell, p.205. Available at: http://books.google.co.in/books?hl=en&lr=&id=orvNvg5R06IC&oi=fnd&pg=PA200&dq=A+critical+review+of+the+role+of+coordinated+sports+science+support+and+its+importance+to+elite+level+performance&ots=90c-AtL16J&sig=KfZHp7Wq7euM4LbhPKi1Ct1CCq0#v=onepage&q&f=false [Accessed 27 November 2010]. Woods, R., 2007. Social issue in sport. [Online] Human Kinetics, p.12. Available at: http://books.google.co.in/books?id=Krclca7m_z0C&pg=PA12&lpg=PA12&dq=areas+and+issues+of+sport+science&source=bl&ots=W_advdCGc-&sig=aGpjykmpW0XjhBQWRIJtcq2g&hl=en&ei=zEjvTM6MH8rXcZ_nqIUK&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CEEQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=areas%20and%20issues%20of%20sport%20science&f=false [Accessed 27 November 2010]. Read More