Research on expertise, talent identification and development has tended to be mono-disciplinary, typically adopting genocentric or environmentalist positions, with an overriding focus on operational issues. In this paper, the validity of dualist positions on sport expertise is evaluated. It is argued that, to advance understanding of expertise and talent development, a shift towards a multidisciplinary and integrative science focus is necessary, along with the development of a comprehensive multidisciplinary theoretical rationale. Here we elucidate dynamical systems theory as a multidisciplinary theoretical rationale for capturing how multiple interacting constraints can shape the development of expert performers. This approach suggests that talent development programmes should eschew the notion of common optimal performance models, emphasize the individual nature of pathways to expertise, and identify the range of interacting constraints that impinge on performance potential of individual athletes, rather than evaluating current performance on physical tests referenced to group norms.
Purpose
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of sports compression tights in reducing muscle movement and activation during running.
Methods
A total of 27 recreationally active males were recruited across two separate studies. For study 1, 13 participants (mean ± SD = 84.1 ± 9.4 kg, 22 ± 3 yr) completed two 4-min treadmill running bouts (2 min at 12 and 15 km·h−1) under two conditions: a no-compression control (CON1) and compression (COMP). For study 2, 14 participants (77.8 ± 8.4 kg, 27 ± 5 yr) completed four 9-min treadmill running bouts (3 min at 8, 10, and 12 km·h−1) under four conditions: a no-compression control (CON2) and three different commercially available compression tights (2XU, Nike, and Under Armor). Using Vicon 3D motion capture technology, lower limb muscle displacement was investigated in both study 1 (thigh and calf) and study 2 (vastus lateralis + medialis [VAS]; lateral + medial gastrocnemius [GAS]). In addition, study 2 investigated the effects of compression on soft tissue vibrations (root-mean-square of resultant acceleration, RMS A
r), muscle activation (iEMG), and running economy (oxygen consumption, V˙O2) during treadmill running.
Results
Wearing compression during treadmill running reduced thigh and calf muscle displacement as compared with no compression (both studies), which was evident across all running speeds. Compression also reduced RMS A
r and iEMG during treadmill running, but it had no effect on running economy (study 2).
Conclusion
Lower limb compression garments are effective in reducing muscle displacement, soft tissue vibrations, and muscle activation associated with the impact forces experienced during running.
Research on the influence of augmented feedback effects on both skill learning and performance has been examined from two differing positions, generally reflective of two core movement science disciplines: motor learning and biomechanics. The motor learning approach has been to examine the content and timing of feedback under tightly controlled laboratory settings, with a focus on simple tasks and the influence of movement outcome feedback. At the other end of the spectrum are biomechanical approaches, which have been primarily devoted to demonstrating the capacity of measurement technology to quantify and report on movement pattern effectiveness. This review highlights the gap left by these two approaches and argues that advancement of our understanding of feedback application in practical settings requires a shift towards a multi-disciplinary focus. A particular focus of the review is on how researchers and practitioners need to harness our understanding and subsequent application of the emergent feedback technologies most prevalent in elite sport settings and clinical sports medicine. We highlight important considerations for future applied multidisciplinary research driven by relevant theory and methodological design to more comprehensively capture how feedback systems can be used to facilitate the development of skilled performance.
It is common for sport science practitioners, including sport biomechanists, to interact with high-performance coaches in the daily training environment. These relationships are beneficial for both scientist and coach, as well as the athletes. However, as indicated by difficulties in transferring new research into coaching practice, these relationships are not functioning as well as they could. The aim of this paper is to examine the various factors that influence the coach–biomechanist relationship in the elite sprinting context and gain an understanding of what impedes and enhances this, which will ultimately maximise an athlete's performance. Sprint coaches ( n = 56) and applied sport biomechanists ( n = 12) were surveyed to determine the participants' experiences working with each other and use of biomechanics in the training environment. Semi-structured interviews with coaches ( n = 8) and biomechanists ( n = 8) were conducted to further explore these ideas. From the biomechanists perspective, the relationship appeared to be less effective than from the coaches' perspective and both groups identified areas for improvement. The coaches had an inconsistent understanding of biomechanics theory and the support a biomechanist could provide in the training environment, while it was acknowledged that biomechanists needed to improve their communication skills. Coach and practitioner education were identified as where these improvements could be facilitated. There are many aspects of the coach–biomechanist relationship that could contribute to establishing optimal practice in the high-performance environment and enhance the transfer of knowledge from scientist to coach. This paper proposes a number of directions that could be taken.
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