I went to Korea Institute of Sport Science (KISS) and Japan Institute of Sports Sciences (JISS) in March-April to understand what they are doing in terms of sprorts information database.
It was a good experience to meet new people and look facilities.
06 May 2007
British talent ID
The 2012 X Factor@BBC
Back in February, British Olympic legend Sir Steven Redgrave launched an appeal for tall, sporty types with a hankering for Olympic glory in 2012.
It was not an open-ended appeal - the glory on offer was in handball, rowing and volleyball, and you had to be between 16 and 25 years old, 6ft 3in or taller for a man and 5ft 11in or taller for a woman.
Back in February, British Olympic legend Sir Steven Redgrave launched an appeal for tall, sporty types with a hankering for Olympic glory in 2012.
It was not an open-ended appeal - the glory on offer was in handball, rowing and volleyball, and you had to be between 16 and 25 years old, 6ft 3in or taller for a man and 5ft 11in or taller for a woman.
13 April 2007
'Quiet Eye' helps elite athletes
'Quiet Eye' helps elite athletes@CNN
The technique is a measure of visual focus, recorded with a variety of technologies, which, according to Vickers, gives an athlete insight into their actions.
The "Quiet Eye" is based on key elements of data:
1. the optimal location of the eyes' focus in space
2. when the eyes begin to focus
3. when the players' gaze leaves the "optimal location"
4. the duration of the quiet eye's period
The technique is a measure of visual focus, recorded with a variety of technologies, which, according to Vickers, gives an athlete insight into their actions.
The "Quiet Eye" is based on key elements of data:
1. the optimal location of the eyes' focus in space
2. when the eyes begin to focus
3. when the players' gaze leaves the "optimal location"
4. the duration of the quiet eye's period
09 April 2007
new AIS hub
Fact sheet: new AIS services hub for sports science and medicine@ASC
• The $17 million Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Hub is a major part of the Australian Government’s commitment to the AIS redevelopment project (announced in the May Federal Budget of 2002) to ensure the future success of Australian sport.
• The AIS Hub provides new improved facilities for the testing and development of Australia’s elite athletes.
• It is designed to integrate a range of sports science and sports medicine specialists and coach and athlete services under one roof. Staff will be located in a three-storey extension to the existing Sports Science and Sports Medicine (SSSM) building.
• This includes physiology, performance psychology, skills acquisition, biomechanics and performance analysis. There is also provision for national coach and athlete career and education services. Sports medicine, physical therapies and nutrition will remain located in the current SSSM building.
• Improvements in this facility include new physiology laboratories, an enhanced strength and conditioning gymnasium and an indoor 110-metre running track (with jumping pit) and new altitude house complex.
• The AIS is a world leader in key areas of Sports Science and Sports Medicine. The AIS is renowned for conducting innovative and cutting-edge sports science and medicine, research and technology development. This includes conducting groundbreaking research and innovation in micro-technology applications for athlete monitoring and performance.
• Coaches and sports scientists will be equipped with powerful tools to observe, analyse, fine tune and perfect the technique, actions and performance of Australian athletes and teams.
• Over 26 years, the AIS has evolved into the nation’s premier sports training institution, making a major contribution to Australia’s sporting success by identifying, developing and producing champions.
• AIS staff expertise contributes to the success of Australian athletes and teams at the Olympics Games in roles as scientists, doctors, nutritionists, physiotherapists, massage therapists and a range of other important support services.
• The new facility will play an integral part in preparing Australian athletes and teams for competition in the lead-up to World Championships and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
• Other key improvements include the AIS Recovery and Swimming Centre (which boasts a new high-tech 10-lane, 50-metre pool) and new athlete residences which will boost the capacity of the Institute to service and support the training needs of Australian athletes and teams.
• New athlete residences will accommodate up to 144 AIS scholarship holders and support staff which includes a new improved dining room and study hall expected to be completed later this year.
• The $17 million Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Hub is a major part of the Australian Government’s commitment to the AIS redevelopment project (announced in the May Federal Budget of 2002) to ensure the future success of Australian sport.
• The AIS Hub provides new improved facilities for the testing and development of Australia’s elite athletes.
• It is designed to integrate a range of sports science and sports medicine specialists and coach and athlete services under one roof. Staff will be located in a three-storey extension to the existing Sports Science and Sports Medicine (SSSM) building.
• This includes physiology, performance psychology, skills acquisition, biomechanics and performance analysis. There is also provision for national coach and athlete career and education services. Sports medicine, physical therapies and nutrition will remain located in the current SSSM building.
• Improvements in this facility include new physiology laboratories, an enhanced strength and conditioning gymnasium and an indoor 110-metre running track (with jumping pit) and new altitude house complex.
• The AIS is a world leader in key areas of Sports Science and Sports Medicine. The AIS is renowned for conducting innovative and cutting-edge sports science and medicine, research and technology development. This includes conducting groundbreaking research and innovation in micro-technology applications for athlete monitoring and performance.
• Coaches and sports scientists will be equipped with powerful tools to observe, analyse, fine tune and perfect the technique, actions and performance of Australian athletes and teams.
• Over 26 years, the AIS has evolved into the nation’s premier sports training institution, making a major contribution to Australia’s sporting success by identifying, developing and producing champions.
• AIS staff expertise contributes to the success of Australian athletes and teams at the Olympics Games in roles as scientists, doctors, nutritionists, physiotherapists, massage therapists and a range of other important support services.
• The new facility will play an integral part in preparing Australian athletes and teams for competition in the lead-up to World Championships and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
• Other key improvements include the AIS Recovery and Swimming Centre (which boasts a new high-tech 10-lane, 50-metre pool) and new athlete residences which will boost the capacity of the Institute to service and support the training needs of Australian athletes and teams.
• New athlete residences will accommodate up to 144 AIS scholarship holders and support staff which includes a new improved dining room and study hall expected to be completed later this year.
25 March 2007
Loughborough University Sports Technology Institute
Loughborough University to open Sports Technology Institute@pocket-lint
Industrial collaborators include adidas, Callaway Golf, Canterbury of New Zealand, Head, New Balance, Nike, Reebok, Sports World International (Dunlop Slazenger) and Umbro. Recent high profile projects include partnering adidas in the development and validation of their revolutionary 2006 World Cup football; development of personalised football boots for premiership players, using state of the art rapid manufacturing technologies; and work with Nike and Umbro on next generation garments for England’s rugby and football teams.
Industrial collaborators include adidas, Callaway Golf, Canterbury of New Zealand, Head, New Balance, Nike, Reebok, Sports World International (Dunlop Slazenger) and Umbro. Recent high profile projects include partnering adidas in the development and validation of their revolutionary 2006 World Cup football; development of personalised football boots for premiership players, using state of the art rapid manufacturing technologies; and work with Nike and Umbro on next generation garments for England’s rugby and football teams.
16 March 2007
Director of Sports Science Appointed at Irish Institute of Sport
Director of Sports Science Appointed at Irish Institute of Sport@Irish Sports Council
Sean Kelly, Executive Chairman of the Irish Institute of Sport, announced today (February 1, 2007) that Professor Greg Whyte has been appointed Director of Sports Science at the Institute.
Professor Whyte, one of four key appointments to be made at the Irish Institute of Sport, will be responsible for coordinating delivery of sports science services to Ireland’s elite athletes. This includes nutrition, psychology, strength and conditioning, performance analysis, biomechanics and exercise physiology. He will be responsible for identifying the needs of individual athletes, in cooperation with their Performance Director, and ensure each athlete is supported by a team of experts working together to maximize the performance of that athlete.
Sean Kelly, Executive Chairman of the Irish Institute of Sport, announced today (February 1, 2007) that Professor Greg Whyte has been appointed Director of Sports Science at the Institute.
Professor Whyte, one of four key appointments to be made at the Irish Institute of Sport, will be responsible for coordinating delivery of sports science services to Ireland’s elite athletes. This includes nutrition, psychology, strength and conditioning, performance analysis, biomechanics and exercise physiology. He will be responsible for identifying the needs of individual athletes, in cooperation with their Performance Director, and ensure each athlete is supported by a team of experts working together to maximize the performance of that athlete.
10 March 2007
Singapore launches sports scholarships for undergraduates
SSC launches country's first sports scholarships for undergraduates@CNA
The Singapore Sports Council (SSC) says two local and two overseas scholarships will be awarded each year, in the areas of Sports Science, Sports Management/Marketing, and Sports Media and Broadcasting.
More information on the scholarships can be found on the SSC website www.ssc.gov.sg/scholarship
The Singapore Sports Council (SSC) says two local and two overseas scholarships will be awarded each year, in the areas of Sports Science, Sports Management/Marketing, and Sports Media and Broadcasting.
More information on the scholarships can be found on the SSC website www.ssc.gov.sg/scholarship
01 March 2007
Singapore funding for targeted sports
More Sports Associations see higher funding from Sports Council@CNA
SINGAPORE: $31.9m will be disbursed to National Sports Associations (NSAs) this year - that is about $800,000 more than last year's budget.
Sailing once again will take the lion's share, receiving more than $3m, while badminton will receive between $2m and $3m.
Bowling, football, shooting, swimming and table tennis will each receive between $1.5m and $2m.
SINGAPORE: $31.9m will be disbursed to National Sports Associations (NSAs) this year - that is about $800,000 more than last year's budget.
Sailing once again will take the lion's share, receiving more than $3m, while badminton will receive between $2m and $3m.
Bowling, football, shooting, swimming and table tennis will each receive between $1.5m and $2m.
23 February 2007
UK started talent trasfer programme
Talent Transfer in Full Swing@UK Sport
The Talent Transfer Programme aims to recruit athletes already retired, or nearing retirement, and provide them with a ‘second chance’ opportunity to switch sports and directly contribute to Team GB success in 2012.
To kick-start the transfer process, over the next few days 150 athletes previously funded on the World Class Programme will receive a letter, inviting them to pursue their Olympic dream – by switching sports. This group were chosen from 1,200 who have been through the lottery funded programmes since 1997. If they get through the initial screening exercise and are identified as potential medal-winners, they will be put on fast-track programmes for their new sport.
The Talent Transfer Programme aims to recruit athletes already retired, or nearing retirement, and provide them with a ‘second chance’ opportunity to switch sports and directly contribute to Team GB success in 2012.
To kick-start the transfer process, over the next few days 150 athletes previously funded on the World Class Programme will receive a letter, inviting them to pursue their Olympic dream – by switching sports. This group were chosen from 1,200 who have been through the lottery funded programmes since 1997. If they get through the initial screening exercise and are identified as potential medal-winners, they will be put on fast-track programmes for their new sport.
21 February 2007
Australian targets for the talent ID programme
ASC looks to next generation of talented athletes@ASC
A total of 17 sports are involved in the project, funded by the Australian Government to the tune of $20 million dollars over the next four years.
A major part of the initial four year project is the identification and development of indigenous athletes in the sports of boxing, track and field, hockey, basketball and field hockey.
Money will also be invested in developing Australian talent in sports that are popular and successful in Asia, including judo, badminton and short-track skating.
At a function at the AIS in Canberra today the ASC’s NTID program demonstrated some of these talent search initiatives in shooting, indigenous boxing, tae kwon do and badminton.
A total of 17 sports are involved in the project, funded by the Australian Government to the tune of $20 million dollars over the next four years.
A major part of the initial four year project is the identification and development of indigenous athletes in the sports of boxing, track and field, hockey, basketball and field hockey.
Money will also be invested in developing Australian talent in sports that are popular and successful in Asia, including judo, badminton and short-track skating.
At a function at the AIS in Canberra today the ASC’s NTID program demonstrated some of these talent search initiatives in shooting, indigenous boxing, tae kwon do and badminton.
20 February 2007
brain monitoring?
The brain scan that can read people's intentions@Guardian
A team of world-leading neuroscientists has developed a powerful technique that allows them to look deep inside a person's brain and read their intentions before they act.
The research breaks controversial new ground in scientists' ability to probe people's minds and eavesdrop on their thoughts, and raises serious ethical issues over how brain-reading technology may be used in the future.
The team used high-resolution brain scans to identify patterns of activity before translating them into meaningful thoughts, revealing what a person planned to do in the near future. It is the first time scientists have succeeded in reading intentions in this way.
A team of world-leading neuroscientists has developed a powerful technique that allows them to look deep inside a person's brain and read their intentions before they act.
The research breaks controversial new ground in scientists' ability to probe people's minds and eavesdrop on their thoughts, and raises serious ethical issues over how brain-reading technology may be used in the future.
The team used high-resolution brain scans to identify patterns of activity before translating them into meaningful thoughts, revealing what a person planned to do in the near future. It is the first time scientists have succeeded in reading intentions in this way.
19 February 2007
vaccinations for Austlaian athletes before Beijing Olympics
Immunisation program for 2008 Australian Olympic Team@AOC
one thousand potential team members will be offered vaccinations for Hepatitis, Typhoid, Polio, Tetanus, Whooping Cough and Diphtheria, Measles-Mumps-Rubella and Influenza to avoid any infection that might have an adverse effect of their performance.
one thousand potential team members will be offered vaccinations for Hepatitis, Typhoid, Polio, Tetanus, Whooping Cough and Diphtheria, Measles-Mumps-Rubella and Influenza to avoid any infection that might have an adverse effect of their performance.
17 February 2007
WADA new coaches tool kit
WADA Launches Its New Coaches Tool Kit@WADA
The WADA Coaches' Tool Kit is designed to assist World Anti-Doping Code signatories meet their responsibility to educate athletes, coaches and other athlete support staff about the dangers and consequences of doping in sport. The Coaches Tool Kit is available in English, French and Spanish.
The WADA Coaches' Tool Kit is designed to assist World Anti-Doping Code signatories meet their responsibility to educate athletes, coaches and other athlete support staff about the dangers and consequences of doping in sport. The Coaches Tool Kit is available in English, French and Spanish.
USOC training centre in China
USOC UNVEILS CHINA TRAINING CENTRE@sportbusiness
The US Olympic Committee has confirmed it is to spend $500,000 on establishing a training centre in China ahead of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
USOC chiefs confirmed the high-performance centre at the Beijing Normal University which will accommodate 400 athletes.
The US Olympic Committee has confirmed it is to spend $500,000 on establishing a training centre in China ahead of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
USOC chiefs confirmed the high-performance centre at the Beijing Normal University which will accommodate 400 athletes.
10 February 2007
monitor readiness to perform with software
Fitness becomes a matter of computing@The Australian
While the Sydney Swans were reaping the benefits of their Italian job, St Kilda was developing software of its own in partnership with Athletic Logic, a Sydney based IT company.
The Saints' software is purpose designed to keep more players on the field for more of the season.
The difference with the Sydney system - or the reams of information collected and analysed by Adelaide Crows coach Neil Craig and his sports science team - is that the players enter the data themselves, after every training session, via a touch-pad screen on one of four computer tablets.
Whenever a St Kilda player finishes a training session, he must tell the computer how he is feeling, how well he is sleeping, and answer other questions about his general well-being.
This subjective information is then collated with more objective measures of weight loss, training loads, distances run and heart-rate fluctuations to give an overall picture of how each footballer's body is standing up to the demands of training.
While the Sydney Swans were reaping the benefits of their Italian job, St Kilda was developing software of its own in partnership with Athletic Logic, a Sydney based IT company.
The Saints' software is purpose designed to keep more players on the field for more of the season.
The difference with the Sydney system - or the reams of information collected and analysed by Adelaide Crows coach Neil Craig and his sports science team - is that the players enter the data themselves, after every training session, via a touch-pad screen on one of four computer tablets.
Whenever a St Kilda player finishes a training session, he must tell the computer how he is feeling, how well he is sleeping, and answer other questions about his general well-being.
This subjective information is then collated with more objective measures of weight loss, training loads, distances run and heart-rate fluctuations to give an overall picture of how each footballer's body is standing up to the demands of training.
01 February 2007
Australian funding for Beijing Olympics
AOC funding increased@AOC
Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) costs for the 2008 Beijing Olympics have climbed to almost $33 million as a result of a larger team and higher preparation costs
Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) costs for the 2008 Beijing Olympics have climbed to almost $33 million as a result of a larger team and higher preparation costs
29 January 2007
UK Sport goes global on anti-doping
UK Sport goes global on anti-doping@UK sport
The Drug Information Database has been an overwhelming success since its launch in 2002, and we’re delighted that the Olympic Council of Asia have joined Canada in adopting it for their own athletes. The provision of this information is vital in minimising the number of competitors who fall foul of the rules by inadvertently taking a prohibited substance contained in a prescribed or off-the-shelf medicine.
The Drug Information Database has been an overwhelming success since its launch in 2002, and we’re delighted that the Olympic Council of Asia have joined Canada in adopting it for their own athletes. The provision of this information is vital in minimising the number of competitors who fall foul of the rules by inadvertently taking a prohibited substance contained in a prescribed or off-the-shelf medicine.
22 January 2007
use of IT for monitoring training
NICTA and the ASC to use technology to improve athletes' performance@ASC
NICTA's core capabilities in data clustering, optimisation, visual pattern recognition, planning and scheduling under uncertainty and wireless signal processing will be used to assist in the enhancement and development of training methodologies and equipment."
The collaboration between the two organisations is planned to include work on projects with the rowing and swimming teams.
In the rowing project, AIS scientists will work together with researchers from NICTA’s Wireless Signal Processing Program to improve the capability of the devices for the transmission of wireless information from a small device on the rower’s boat to a device the coach can use to interpret the information.
The wireless transmission of this information is inherently difficult because the signal needs to be transmitted in real-time, close to the water surface and for a considerable distance or range. The research teams will work together to improve the data transmission rate and range of these devices.
The swimming project combines the expertise of researchers from the AIS’s Aquatic Testing, Training and Research Unit and NICTA’s Wireless Signal Processing and Systems Engineering and Complex Systems Programs.
The project also involves the transmission of data, from a swimmer to a device at the side of the pool to provide important information on the effect of hand movement on the swimmer’s performance.
NICTA's core capabilities in data clustering, optimisation, visual pattern recognition, planning and scheduling under uncertainty and wireless signal processing will be used to assist in the enhancement and development of training methodologies and equipment."
The collaboration between the two organisations is planned to include work on projects with the rowing and swimming teams.
In the rowing project, AIS scientists will work together with researchers from NICTA’s Wireless Signal Processing Program to improve the capability of the devices for the transmission of wireless information from a small device on the rower’s boat to a device the coach can use to interpret the information.
The wireless transmission of this information is inherently difficult because the signal needs to be transmitted in real-time, close to the water surface and for a considerable distance or range. The research teams will work together to improve the data transmission rate and range of these devices.
The swimming project combines the expertise of researchers from the AIS’s Aquatic Testing, Training and Research Unit and NICTA’s Wireless Signal Processing and Systems Engineering and Complex Systems Programs.
The project also involves the transmission of data, from a swimmer to a device at the side of the pool to provide important information on the effect of hand movement on the swimmer’s performance.
15 December 2006
Do muscles recover faster in the AM or PM?@final sprint
A study from France shows that it takes longer to recover from hard exercise in the evening than in the morning (Int J Sports Med 27, 2006).
Cyclists performed ten six-second bouts of all out effort, with 30-second rest periods while the researchers measured peak power output, total mechanical work, peak pedaling rate, and peak efficient torque. The same group of cyclists performed these workouts in the morning on one day, and in the evening on another day. They found that the short-term recovery patterns were slower in the evening than in the morning.
A study from France shows that it takes longer to recover from hard exercise in the evening than in the morning (Int J Sports Med 27, 2006).
Cyclists performed ten six-second bouts of all out effort, with 30-second rest periods while the researchers measured peak power output, total mechanical work, peak pedaling rate, and peak efficient torque. The same group of cyclists performed these workouts in the morning on one day, and in the evening on another day. They found that the short-term recovery patterns were slower in the evening than in the morning.
13 December 2006
IOC Athletes’ Career Programme
Assisting athletes in their career development during and after competition@IOC
After the Games, 97 per cent of athletes are unsure about their professional careers, what will happen to them psychologically and professionally.
Based on this assessment, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Adecco decided to join forces, and in 2005 launched the Athletes’ Career Programme (ACP), which endeavours to answer these questions and provide concrete solutions.
The ACP mission: enhance the life of Olympic and Paralympic athletes
After the Games, 97 per cent of athletes are unsure about their professional careers, what will happen to them psychologically and professionally.
Based on this assessment, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Adecco decided to join forces, and in 2005 launched the Athletes’ Career Programme (ACP), which endeavours to answer these questions and provide concrete solutions.
The ACP mission: enhance the life of Olympic and Paralympic athletes
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