ECSS Paris 2023: CP-AP07
INTRODUCTION: The Japanese national rhythmic gymnastics group team aimed to win a medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics but failed to qualify for the event. In rhythmic gymnastics, scores are published only as broad categories, making it difficult to discern specific details such as the validity of individual elements. To identify areas for improvement, it is essential for individuals with judging qualifications or deep knowledge of the Code of Points to visualize and evaluate the choreography. METHODS: Method and Content of Choreography Recording The visualization and analysis methods used in this study were based on Takahashi (2024), which examined methods for visualizing choreography. The recording sheets used were the "Chronological Arrangement Record Sheet" and the "Apparatus Difficulty (DA) Composition Record Sheet" created by Takahashi and Maeda (2024). The visualization of the choreography was conducted by the author, who holds an International Judge Brevet sanctioned by the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG), while viewing video footage in September 2024. To grasp detailed elements of the choreography that are not recorded during competition judging, the footage was viewed multiple times for precise recording. Analysis Items To clarify the differences in Collaboration composition between Japan and the world's top team, four basic analysis items were established: number of Collaborations, duration, Compositional Value, and Additional Criteria. Furthermore, for CR Collaborations, the type of rotation, method of passing (over a person, under a person, over the apparatus, under the apparatus, through the apparatus, through a thrown apparatus), and the number of gymnasts involved in the Main Action were added to the analysis. RESULTS: Analysis results showed that Japan's compositional value for collaborations was 0.6 points lower than China's, and the total duration was 3 seconds longer. The percentage of "Main Actions" performed by multiple gymnasts (two or more) accounted for approximately 45.7% of all CR collaborations for Japan, whereas it was approximately 9.1% for China. Regarding passing methods, China exclusively utilized methods involving passing through thrown apparatus (valued at 0.3 points). In contrast, Japan also included passing methods valued at 0.1 point, resulting in a composition score for passing that was 0.9 points lower than China's. CONCLUSION: The 2024 comparison of collaborations between Japan and China suggested that Japan should reduce its required duration by 3 seconds, increase its compositional value by at least 0.6 points, adjust the number of gymnasts in main actions to lower the difficulty of obtaining bonus points, and change all passing methods to 0.3-point techniques. Furthermore, it was suggested that to remain among the world's top teams throughout the season, strategies are needed to increase compositional value by 2.0 points or more while limiting the increase in collaboration duration to within 2 seconds during the season.
Read CV Yayoi TakahashiECSS Paris 2023: CP-AP07
INTRODUCTION: Growing domestic and international demand for sport science practitioners is being driven by the ever-increasing focus within the sporting world on optimizing performance. Whilst several countries have rigorous professional standards that underpin the practice of sport science, outline base level knowledge, skills and competencies, and guide certification and accreditation frameworks, this is not the case in all countries where sport science is practiced. Additionally, for a profession that sees its constituents commonly move from country to country, international standards for sport science practice do not exist. In 2025 the International Confederation of Sport and Exercise Science Practice (ICSESP) completed a systematic audit of the existing sport science professional standards used to underpin national certification systems around the world. It was proposed that the audit could set the foundation for developing an international set of sport science professional practice standards that would promote harmonization of the profession across jurisdictions. The purpose of this study was to develop consensus on international professional standards for sport science. METHODS: The study used the 2025 ICSESP sport science standards audit findings and employed a Delphi approach to build a consensus on the international practice standards. An expert working group made up of 22 members from 16 countries reviewed the standards in each round. They considered whether the standards identified in the audit should be included or excluded, and if to be included, whether they should be core or non-core. Additionally, the expert working group were asked to nominate standards that were not identified in the audit and to check the wording of the standards for accuracy. To be included in the final standards and as core, each standard required 80% consensus from the expert working group. Standards that reached the consensus threshold, but not for core, were included as non-core standards. External feedback was sort as the standards approached the final draft. Each phase of the process was guided by a steering committee. RESULTS: The Delphi process found consensus on five overarching professional standard domains for sport science practice: Professional and Ethical Practice, Foundational Knowledge, Performance Assessment, Program Design and Delivery, and Data Anaysis, Research and Technology; and 24 individual standard elements. All bar two of the standard elements were accepted as core, which have been included in the standards since they were close to meeting the 80% threshold and are reflected in countries where sport science professional standards exist. CONCLUSION: The international sport science professional practice standards consensus has been achieved and the ICSESP has published the standards. The standards will help to synchronize approaches to education, support and guide accreditation procedures, and steer the practice of sport science globally.
Read CV Nathan ReevesECSS Paris 2023: CP-AP07