ECSS Paris 2023: OP-AP09
INTRODUCTION: Current literature identifies biological [1], psychological [2] and social characteristics [2,3] possessed by elite endurance runners. However, there is a lack of consensus on which characteristics are important for achieving podium success as an elite endurance runner. Improved understanding of the biopsychosocial profile of elite endurance-based runners can guide ongoing athlete development and allocation of resources when targeting international podium success. The aim of this study is to understand characteristics experts believe are important or essential for achieving international podium success as an elite endurance runner. METHODS: Fourteen middle distance running (MDR) and 10 long distance running (LDR) experts participated in Round 1 and 12 MDR and eight LDR experts participated in Round 2 of a Delphi survey. Experts included coaches and practitioners who work with elite Australian able-bodied endurance-based runners. Experts were asked to rate, using a Likert scale (range:0= completely irrelevant to 5= essential), how important they believed each characteristic was for achieving international podium success in MDR and LDR. The list of characteristics presented was based on the findings of a systematic review and expert interviews, outcomes of a larger project. Characteristics endorsed as ‘essential’ or ‘important’ by >80% but <60% of experts in Round 1 were taken to Round 2. Characteristics were classified as important if ≤80% of experts endorsed the characteristic as ‘essential’ or ‘important’ [4]. Consensus was not sought beyond two rounds. RESULTS: Of the 188 biopsychosocial characteristics presented 154 were endorsed or rejected in Round 1, hence 34 characteristics were included in Round 2. After Round 2, 22 MDR related biological, 19 LDR related biological, 30 psychological and 10 social characteristics were endorsed as being important or essential for international podium success. Biological characteristics endorsed by all MDR experts included; capacity to run rounds, maximal aerobic speed, tactical awareness and capacity to recover from training. Biological characteristics endorsed by all LDR experts; capacity to tolerate high training loads, capacity to pace, maximal oxygen uptake, capacity to recover from training, running economy and efficiency. Psychosocial characteristics endorsed by all endurance-based running experts included; ability to cope with pressure, dedication, resilience, self-belief, coach-athlete relationship and training environment. CONCLUSION: Findings highlight the importance of a biopsychosocial approach to the development of elite endurance-based runners. These findings may be useful in continuing to profile elite endurance-based runners to better inform athlete development. Ongoing efforts to use these findings to monitor athlete progression in an effort to differentiate between those who do and do not achieve podium success, is warranted. 1.Hanley et al. (2023) 2.Vernacchia et al. (2000) 3.Huxley et al. (2017) 4.Weber et al. (2022)
Read CV Tarryn Margaret ElvishECSS Paris 2023: OP-AP09
INTRODUCTION: Periodisation frameworks in individual sports describe the organisation of training to achieve physiological adaptations which drive improvements in key qualities such as strength, power and endurance. Few frameworks address the organisation of training for the acquisition of technique and skill, particularly in track and field. Therefore, the purpose of this research project was to elicit insights into the practices and perspectives of world class coaches regarding training design for the development of technique in sprinters. METHODS: A qualitative research design was employed using semi-structured interviews. Seven elite sprint coaches were recruited. To be eligible, coaches must have coached at least one sprint athlete to qualification for a major international championship. Questions related to micro and macro aspects of training designed to develop and refine sprint technique. Inductive thematic analysis was used to analyse the interview transcripts (Braun & Clarke 2006). RESULTS: Emergent themes indicate that coaches commonly manipulate constraints to develop and refine sprint technique, including the use of sprint drills. All coaches deliberately target elements of sprinting technique multiple times per week during both preparation and competition cycles, although the temporal organisation and progression of this dedicated practice over time differs. Progressions in skill training are typically represented by increases in intensity or complexity. Multiple coaches articulated difficulties creating robust changes in technique which transfer to race performance. While coaches identified common objectives for different sprinting skills, some emphasized that there is no single model that they orient their athletes towards and instead combine their understanding of biomechanics with the unique characteristics of each individual to inform areas of focus and the subsequent prescription of training. Overall, coaches rely largely on experiential knowledge when prescribing technical training, and strategies to monitor and evaluate the outcomes of this training are varied and sometimes absent. CONCLUSION: These insights reveal common approaches shared by elite sprint coaches regarding skill acquisition in sprinting, highlight the complexities of refining sprint technique and indicate an absence of clear framework for progressing technical training over time. This demonstrates a need for coaches to have a strong understanding of the general biomechanical features underpinning sprint performance to appropriately identify the needs of the athlete and subsequently accommodate and exploit their organismic constraints. Future research should build on traditional skill acquisition research to design ecologically valid models for the development of sprinting technique to maximise the transfer of training to race day. Reference Braun, V. and Clarke, V., 2006. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative research in psychology, 3(2), pp.77-101.
Read CV Joel MasonECSS Paris 2023: OP-AP09
INTRODUCTION: The role of the football-focused tactical analyst is a work area that has been in high demand in recent years (1). Key skills such as a broad knowledge of the game, being an expert in the interpretation of the opponents and ones own play, as well as strong observational skills are required (2). However, there is limited scientific information to be found on the processes of analysis and how they have incorporated eminently objective data in a profession with such an important subjective component. The study aims to analyse the resources used by analysts in their daily performance, as well as their relationship with data within the analysis process. METHODS: The data collection was carried out employing semi-structured interviews, which were specifically designed for this field, being checked by 4 experts, and passing a pilot interview, being modified according to the feedback received. The inclusion criteria determined were (i) Spanish speakers and (ii) experience in first divisions or national teams. A total of 18 analysts participated in the study; to contact them, we used a first contact through social networks (LinkedIn, Whatsapp, Twitter,...) and then a snowball sampling, recommending colleagues who met these criteria. The interviews were conducted by video call, where the analysts allowed to record the content and its subsequent analysis. The content analysis was carried out by two researchers, triangulating the results with a third qualitative researcher. RESULTS: The analysts subjective perception of the opposing team is the most reliable information for them, alluding to their experience to detect important aspects of them. The objective data can offer them a different perspective to the conclusion reached by them, or contrast their original idea, being an element of secondary consultation complained by the lack of general context. This may contrast with a social moment in performance analysis where it may seem that data is the most important factor in explaining performance. Likewise, there are minimal skills in video editing software, written reporting, and data provider consultation. They report no use of predictive game algorithms. CONCLUSION: Tactical analysts rely more on their knowledge of game interpretation to develop their work, although they accept and value positively the use of the data, they do not believe it is blindly reliable due to the lack of context in which it is given. 1. Francis JW, Kyte J, Bateman M. The role of the analyst: comparative analysis of applied performance analyst job advertisements in the UK and Ireland (2021-2022). Int J Perform Anal Sport [Internet]. 2023;00(00):1–30. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1080/24748668.2023.2299178 2. Aguado-Méndez RD, González-Jurado JA, Reina-Gómez Á, Otero-Saborido FM. Perceptions of football analysts goal-scoring opportunity predictions: A qualitative case study. Front Psychol. 2021;12.
Read CV Adrián Martín CastellanosECSS Paris 2023: OP-AP09