Sports science focuses on four main sciences: psychology, physiology, biomechanics, and motor learning/control. With a deeper understanding of sports, exercise, and how humans perform, sports scientists can evaluate, design, and monitor sports training programs. The goal is to help coaches and athletes achieve peak performance. Many clubs work with sports scientists for their NFL expert picks.
These specialists may also study the body’s physiological response to exercising from a health angle. Additionally, many exercise and sports scientists study how physical activity can help major athletes prevent and treat chronic illnesses. These diseases include cardiovascular diseases, cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, obesity, and diabetes.
Here are some interesting facts you probably didn’t know about sports science.
1. It is an ancient field
Sports science can be traced back to the first Olympics games, believed to have occurred in 776 BC in the ancient city of Olympia in Greece. Since then, people have consistently studied how to enhance their athletic performance and have an edge over their competition. Sports science was born as a result. Although it originated hundreds of years ago, it wasn’t until the 20th century that it became a discipline.
The application of sciences in sports peaked in the Eastern Bloc nations and the former Soviet Union. During this age, numerous scientists began looking into the application of physics to body movements as well as the physiological disciplines involved in exercise. That spread to the United States, and by the ’60s, many specialists were investigating sports-specific phenomena.
2. Sports science is heavily reliant on technology
Experts usually use several 3D cameras to capture how athletes move when playing various sports. These 3D cameras have different sensors to measure these athletes’ acceleration, forces, pressure, and movements. Their primary function is to measure the distances, speeds, and positions. This is generally known as the 3D motion analysis and is a key aspect of sports science.
Scientists can now use computers to monitor and study recorded athletes’ movements, to improve their performance and techniques.
3. It is a multidisciplinary science
Sports science doesn’t solely study how the body works during exercise. It is a multidisciplinary subject focusing on the science behind performance in sports. It incorporates various fields, including biochemistry, physiology, anatomy, psychology, nutrition, biokinetics, and biomechanics.
The practicality of sports science means that students can also learn how to use the equipment. These tools are used in sports psychology, injury rehabilitation, exercise physiology, and coaching.
The bottom line
Sports science is instrumental in professional sports. Professional and amateur football, soccer, baseball, basketball, rugby, and other types of clubs all work with teams of sports scientists to ensure that their players are displaying exemplary performance. The goal of professional sports, after all, is to defeat competitors.
Disclaimer:
- As per the Public Gambling Act of 1867, all Indian states, except Goa, Daman and Sikkim, prohibit gambling
- Land-based casinos are legalized, with certain guidelines, in Goa and Daman, as per the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act 1976
- Land-based casinos, Online gambling and E-gaming (games of chance) are legalized in Sikkim under the Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Rules 2009
- Only some Indian states have legalized online/regular lotteries as per and subject to the conditions laid down by state laws. Kindly refer to the same here
- Horse racing and betting on horse racing, including online betting, is permitted only in a licensed premise in select states. Kindly refer to the 1996 Judgement by the Supreme Court Of India here and for more information
- This article does not endorse or express the views of Qrius and/or any of its staff.
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