SPARC investment plan for high performance success@SPARC
SPARC has announced the four year 2009-2012 high performance investment programme for targeted sports geared to get New Zealand athletes on the podium at London 2012.
Under the High Performance Strategy 2006-2012 New Zealand is targeting at least 10 medals for the London Olympics.
The targeted investment is part of an overall high performance investment programme of approximately $35 million per annum. Other components of the investment programme include; high performance funding to other national sports organisation under the contestable investment process ($4.8 m) – announced in December 2008; performance enhancement grants direct to athletes and coaches ($5.5 m); Prime Ministers sports scholarship programme ($4.25 m) – announced January 2009; high performance support e.g. technology, research, innovation, talent transfer ($2 m) and New Zealand Academy of Sport athlete and coach support programme ($ 5.7m).
25 February 2009
22 February 2009
UK recovery forum
RECOVERY AND REGENERATION THE FOCUS OF NORTH EAST FORUM@EIS
The discussion topic was Recovery and Regeneration and former West Midlands Regional S&C Lead Nick Grantham of Smart Fitness started of with a presentation on recovery methods and choices based on type of fatigue. The 'Recovery Pyramid' which Nick and current EIS S&C Coach Mark Jarvis developed formed a large part of the information presented where various levels and stages of recovery method choices are ranked according to a needs basis.
Nigel Stockill of Optima Life presented his information on his equipment and software for monitoring recovery status in relation to heart rate variability.
GB Basketball Lead Duncan French then discussed the strategies he has put in place with GB Basketball based around the distinct needs for a team during a touring situation where travel, training and games all have to be finely balanced in order to keep the players healthy while on tour duty. Duncans information displayed how athletes can self help and make their own decisions based on how they are feeling and the situation they find themselves in at any given time.
The discussion topic was Recovery and Regeneration and former West Midlands Regional S&C Lead Nick Grantham of Smart Fitness started of with a presentation on recovery methods and choices based on type of fatigue. The 'Recovery Pyramid' which Nick and current EIS S&C Coach Mark Jarvis developed formed a large part of the information presented where various levels and stages of recovery method choices are ranked according to a needs basis.
Nigel Stockill of Optima Life presented his information on his equipment and software for monitoring recovery status in relation to heart rate variability.
GB Basketball Lead Duncan French then discussed the strategies he has put in place with GB Basketball based around the distinct needs for a team during a touring situation where travel, training and games all have to be finely balanced in order to keep the players healthy while on tour duty. Duncans information displayed how athletes can self help and make their own decisions based on how they are feeling and the situation they find themselves in at any given time.
Malaysia target sports for 2012 London Olympics
Malaysia Targets Gold Medal At London Olympics@Bernama
The Youth and Sports Ministry has targeted at least a gold medal either in badminton, archery or cycling in the 2012 London Olympics
The Youth and Sports Ministry has targeted at least a gold medal either in badminton, archery or cycling in the 2012 London Olympics
20 February 2009
YOG hydration issue
Experts stress importance of hydration in sports especially in tropical S'pore@CNA
A hydration expert at Loughborough University, UK, Ron Maughan, said: "We have made measurements of professional football players and top athletes at other competitions, and we see a significant number of athletes coming up already dehydrated, and that is inexcusable for a professional athlete."
With athletes from cold countries heading to Singapore for events like the 2010 Youth Olympic Games, coaches need to ensure their charges can take the heat.
A hydration expert at Loughborough University, UK, Ron Maughan, said: "We have made measurements of professional football players and top athletes at other competitions, and we see a significant number of athletes coming up already dehydrated, and that is inexcusable for a professional athlete."
With athletes from cold countries heading to Singapore for events like the 2010 Youth Olympic Games, coaches need to ensure their charges can take the heat.
14 February 2009
YOG DCO course
Doping control officers for YOG
'Singapore is committed to keeping the Youth Olympic Games free from doping. As we prepare to host the inaugural Youth Olympic Games next year, we want to make a clear stand against doping,' said Mr Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Home Affairs, Mr Masagos Zulkifli Bin Masagos Mohamad at the launch of the seminar on Saturday morning.
'Anti-doping efforts are integral to promoting fair play and the ideals of the Olympic Movement,' he said. 'Such efforts are relevant to our young people as we educate, engage and influence them to adopt and live by the Olympic Values of Excellence, Friendship and Respect.'
'Singapore is committed to keeping the Youth Olympic Games free from doping. As we prepare to host the inaugural Youth Olympic Games next year, we want to make a clear stand against doping,' said Mr Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Home Affairs, Mr Masagos Zulkifli Bin Masagos Mohamad at the launch of the seminar on Saturday morning.
'Anti-doping efforts are integral to promoting fair play and the ideals of the Olympic Movement,' he said. 'Such efforts are relevant to our young people as we educate, engage and influence them to adopt and live by the Olympic Values of Excellence, Friendship and Respect.'
22 January 2009
1st FINA World Swimming Coaches Conference
1st FINA World Swimming Coaches Conference was held from 15 to 17 January in Singapore.
Aim: To learn from the best of the best about the development of swimming and challenges and opportunities we face on a daily basis
Key points from the top coaches
Rohan Taylor (Leisel Jones's coach)
- create an environment of trust and openness
- S&C was a priority after 2006: bike, gym circuit, boxing, and olympic lifting
- 60% of training was focused on breast stroke
- recovery prescribed when adapting and cannot hold technique
- athletes' ability to switch ON and OFF
Michael Bohl (Stephanie Rice's coach)
- balance between speed and endurance
- create an environment of positive and everyone on same direction
- analyze split time
Bill Sweetenham (Former Head Coach Australia and Great Britain)
- plan = change
- 6 year plan not 4 year plan to prepare for Olympics
- take a team approach: lead to success, confidence, and positive
- winning experience not an experience
- learn from best coaches and share information
- prepare for win
- youth programme and race specific training are the keys
Norimasa Hirai (Kosuke Kitajima's coach)
- 12 years training with Kitajima
- worked on technique to minimize stroke count (from 46 strokes in 100m in 2000 to 36 strokes in 2008)
- focus on stream line, head down, timing of the kick to minimize resistance
- altitude training: 3-4 times per year (more than 20 times over 9 years)
- worked hard to go the half step ahead of the athletes
---
I was fortunate to be a part of a team as a Physiologist to support a Singapore swimmer Tao Li and the coach Peter Churchill. Peter also presented Tao Li's preparation to Beijing Olympics at the conference:
- created a "Team Tao Li" to have a support system with sports scientists
- used a re-breathing device to simulate altitude training
- used bright light exposure to cope with morning finals
- used daily log and RESTQ (recovery stress questionnaire) to closely monitor swimmers
- established a reference point for next major meets.
Aim: To learn from the best of the best about the development of swimming and challenges and opportunities we face on a daily basis
Key points from the top coaches
Rohan Taylor (Leisel Jones's coach)
- create an environment of trust and openness
- S&C was a priority after 2006: bike, gym circuit, boxing, and olympic lifting
- 60% of training was focused on breast stroke
- recovery prescribed when adapting and cannot hold technique
- athletes' ability to switch ON and OFF
Michael Bohl (Stephanie Rice's coach)
- balance between speed and endurance
- create an environment of positive and everyone on same direction
- analyze split time
Bill Sweetenham (Former Head Coach Australia and Great Britain)
- plan = change
- 6 year plan not 4 year plan to prepare for Olympics
- take a team approach: lead to success, confidence, and positive
- winning experience not an experience
- learn from best coaches and share information
- prepare for win
- youth programme and race specific training are the keys
Norimasa Hirai (Kosuke Kitajima's coach)
- 12 years training with Kitajima
- worked on technique to minimize stroke count (from 46 strokes in 100m in 2000 to 36 strokes in 2008)
- focus on stream line, head down, timing of the kick to minimize resistance
- altitude training: 3-4 times per year (more than 20 times over 9 years)
- worked hard to go the half step ahead of the athletes
---
I was fortunate to be a part of a team as a Physiologist to support a Singapore swimmer Tao Li and the coach Peter Churchill. Peter also presented Tao Li's preparation to Beijing Olympics at the conference:
- created a "Team Tao Li" to have a support system with sports scientists
- used a re-breathing device to simulate altitude training
- used bright light exposure to cope with morning finals
- used daily log and RESTQ (recovery stress questionnaire) to closely monitor swimmers
- established a reference point for next major meets.
12 January 2009
YOG Olympic education programme in Singapore
Singapore 2010: education at the heart of the Youth Olympic Games@IOC
Preparations for the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) gained further momentum with the launch of two new programmes: the Olympic Education Programme (OEP) and Friends@YOG.
Friends@YOG
• to build international friendship through collaboration and cultural exchanges among young people;
• to promulgate the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect;
• to cultivate among young people a global outlook, a passion for sport and good
habits that are part of a healthy lifestyle.
Olympic Education Programme (OEP)
• to have more opportunities to experience and embrace the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect.
• to better understand the diverse cultures of the world.
All schools will receive the specially designed “Living Olympism” Education Resource Package as part of the associated teaching materials. Teachers can draw on the various interesting ideas in the package to develop innovative learning activities for students to acquire knowledge about the Olympic Games and understand the Olympic spirit in a fun way.
Preparations for the Singapore 2010 Youth Olympic Games (YOG) gained further momentum with the launch of two new programmes: the Olympic Education Programme (OEP) and Friends@YOG.
Friends@YOG
• to build international friendship through collaboration and cultural exchanges among young people;
• to promulgate the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect;
• to cultivate among young people a global outlook, a passion for sport and good
habits that are part of a healthy lifestyle.
Olympic Education Programme (OEP)
• to have more opportunities to experience and embrace the Olympic values of excellence, friendship and respect.
• to better understand the diverse cultures of the world.
All schools will receive the specially designed “Living Olympism” Education Resource Package as part of the associated teaching materials. Teachers can draw on the various interesting ideas in the package to develop innovative learning activities for students to acquire knowledge about the Olympic Games and understand the Olympic spirit in a fun way.
02 January 2009
Singapore Olympic education programme
Special Olympic education programme to kick off in schools in 2009@CNA
From 2009, all schools - from primary to pre-university levels - will get a special Olympic education resource package which teachers can use to teach students about the Olympic movement.
From 2009, all schools - from primary to pre-university levels - will get a special Olympic education resource package which teachers can use to teach students about the Olympic movement.
26 December 2008
review of Singapore sports scenes in 2008
S'pore makes global impact in sports in 2008@CNA
SINGAPORE: 2008 was a great year for Singapore sports. From the Formula One trackside to the Olympic arena, it was a year of historic achievements.
SINGAPORE: 2008 was a great year for Singapore sports. From the Formula One trackside to the Olympic arena, it was a year of historic achievements.
24 December 2008
Tokyo 2016 supports Olympic Education
Tokyo 2016 Continues to Support Youth Olympic Education@sportcal.com
Tokyo, 22 December 2008 – Tokyo 2016 reaffirmed its commitment to the development of young Olympians yesterday by participating in a Japan Olympic Academy (JOA) special ‘Youth and the Olympic Games’ session, held at the Japan Institute of Sports and Sciences (JISS).
The session, made possible through the support of bodies such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC), International Olympic Academy (IOA), Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC), Japan’s Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, facilitated frank and fruitful analyses of the future of Olympic education for young people.
The event saw two notable milestones in Olympic education celebrated; Hiroji Koide’s ‘One School One Country’ Program, and the 30th anniversary of the Japan Olympic Academy launch.
Tokyo, 22 December 2008 – Tokyo 2016 reaffirmed its commitment to the development of young Olympians yesterday by participating in a Japan Olympic Academy (JOA) special ‘Youth and the Olympic Games’ session, held at the Japan Institute of Sports and Sciences (JISS).
The session, made possible through the support of bodies such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC), International Olympic Academy (IOA), Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC), Japan’s Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, facilitated frank and fruitful analyses of the future of Olympic education for young people.
The event saw two notable milestones in Olympic education celebrated; Hiroji Koide’s ‘One School One Country’ Program, and the 30th anniversary of the Japan Olympic Academy launch.
17 December 2008
NZ budget for 2009
SPARC invests in future Kiwi sporting success@SPARC
SPARC is investing $4.8 million in 18 sports in 2009 aimed at having more New Zealand athletes and teams winning on the world stage.
The contestable investment package will be followed by a further investment announcement in February next year for the nine ‘targeted’ sports (athletics, bike, netball, cricket, rowing, rugby, sailing, swimming and triathlon.)
SPARC is investing $4.8 million in 18 sports in 2009 aimed at having more New Zealand athletes and teams winning on the world stage.
The contestable investment package will be followed by a further investment announcement in February next year for the nine ‘targeted’ sports (athletics, bike, netball, cricket, rowing, rugby, sailing, swimming and triathlon.)
11 December 2008
UK budget for London Olympics
UK SPORT SETS “TOP FOUR” MEDAL AMBITION FOR 2012 OLYMPICS@UK sport
total of £292 million of confirmed investment has today been allocated by UK Sport to British Olympic and Paralympic sports ahead of the London Games in 2012. This funding, building on the £265 million invested for Beijing, has enabled UK Sport to agree a target of a “Top Four” finish in London, aiming to win more medals in more sports than in Beijing and thereby ensure the most successful Olympic performance by a British team for 100 years. The Paralympic target is to retain second place in the Medal Table behind China, again winning more medals in more sports than in Beijing.
A total of £247 million has been invested in Olympic sport for the London cycle. The funded sports are: Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Canoeing, Cycling, Diving, Equestrian, Gymnastics, Hockey, Judo, Modern Pentathlon, Rowing, Sailing, Swimming, Synchronised Swimming, Taekwondo and Triathlon.
UK Sport allocates funding for 2012@sport business
Athletics, the showcase sport of the Olympics, received a funding cut before the London Games yesterday as sports chiefs rewarded the UK's most successful sports in Beijing.
According to UK press reports, the drop in funding from £26.5 million to £25.1 million — the biggest of any sport — was announced despite the overwhelming focus of public attention during the Games falling on the Olympic stadium. Athletics was one of only two sports — the other was badminton — to be dealt weaker financial resources compared with Beijing.
By contrast, the biggest investment in any sport is in rowing, in which six medals were won in Beijing, helping to earn it a 5.5 per cent increase to £27.4 million over the next four years.
Cycling, which was Britain’s most successful sport in Beijing, with 14 medals, received a 22 per cent increase in funding to £26.9 million.
Basketball and Hockey were under threat before a last-minute injection of cash from the Treasury on Tuesday night. They received a 137 per cent increase and a 43 per cent increase respectively.
total of £292 million of confirmed investment has today been allocated by UK Sport to British Olympic and Paralympic sports ahead of the London Games in 2012. This funding, building on the £265 million invested for Beijing, has enabled UK Sport to agree a target of a “Top Four” finish in London, aiming to win more medals in more sports than in Beijing and thereby ensure the most successful Olympic performance by a British team for 100 years. The Paralympic target is to retain second place in the Medal Table behind China, again winning more medals in more sports than in Beijing.
A total of £247 million has been invested in Olympic sport for the London cycle. The funded sports are: Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Canoeing, Cycling, Diving, Equestrian, Gymnastics, Hockey, Judo, Modern Pentathlon, Rowing, Sailing, Swimming, Synchronised Swimming, Taekwondo and Triathlon.
UK Sport allocates funding for 2012@sport business
Athletics, the showcase sport of the Olympics, received a funding cut before the London Games yesterday as sports chiefs rewarded the UK's most successful sports in Beijing.
According to UK press reports, the drop in funding from £26.5 million to £25.1 million — the biggest of any sport — was announced despite the overwhelming focus of public attention during the Games falling on the Olympic stadium. Athletics was one of only two sports — the other was badminton — to be dealt weaker financial resources compared with Beijing.
By contrast, the biggest investment in any sport is in rowing, in which six medals were won in Beijing, helping to earn it a 5.5 per cent increase to £27.4 million over the next four years.
Cycling, which was Britain’s most successful sport in Beijing, with 14 medals, received a 22 per cent increase in funding to £26.9 million.
Basketball and Hockey were under threat before a last-minute injection of cash from the Treasury on Tuesday night. They received a 137 per cent increase and a 43 per cent increase respectively.
YOG update
Sports competitions programme and qualification systems for the 1st YOG in 2010@IOC
Some 3,594 athletes will compete in Singapore in 26 sports comprising 201 events. The number of sports in the programme is identical to the London 2012 programme. Each event has its own age group* competing, either 15-16 (27 events), 16-17 (111 events) or 17-18 (63 events).
The events differ significantly in order to match the age groups and interests of the young athletes. Basketball will for example be played according to the FIBA 33 formula, with teams of three playing against each other on one half-court. The most important particularity of the YOG is however the numerous mixed–gender or National Olympic Committees (NOCs) – team events in archery, athletics (medley relay), cycling (combined BMX-mountain bike-road event), equestrian, fencing, judo, modern pentathlon (relay), swimming (relay), table tennis, tennis and triathlon (relay).
The qualification system for each sport and discipline, which was prepared in close collaboration with each International Federation (IF), strives to guarantee participation of the best athletes in their age category and to respect the principle of universality by allowing NOCs to benefit from the “Universality Places”.
For all disciplines, competitions such as Junior World Championships, Continental Championships or official junior ranking lists will allow athletes to attempt to qualify for the YOG.
The four team sport** tournaments (football, handball, hockey and volleyball) will consist of one national team per continent as well as a sixth team which will either represent the NOC of the host country or be proposed by the IFs for IOC approval. An NOC will be allowed to have no more than one boys’ and one girls’ team competing for all four team sports.
Besides the sports competitions programme, the YOG will feature an extensive Cultural and Educational Programme (CEP), which aims to introduce, in a fun and festive spirit, the young athletes to Olympism and the Olympic values, and to raise awareness on important issues such as the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, the fight against doping and their role as sports ambassadors in their communities. As a result of close collaboration between the IOC and the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC), an innovative and attractive CEP has been developed, with SYOGOC looking to finalise it shortly and start implementation at the beginning of next year.
Mixed teams set for YOG@straits times
the real innovation of the Games - the brainchild of IOC President Jacques Rogge - is the mixing up of genders in the team competitions, with boys and girls from different countries representing their respective continents.
Certain other sports such as archery, athletics, cycling (with one event a combined one of road race and BMX), fencing, judo, modern pentathlon, swimming, tennis, table tennis and triathlon will also be modelled on that format.
Others will be tried out under another model, such as basketball which will feature teams of just three on half the usual size court.
Some 3,594 athletes will compete in Singapore in 26 sports comprising 201 events. The number of sports in the programme is identical to the London 2012 programme. Each event has its own age group* competing, either 15-16 (27 events), 16-17 (111 events) or 17-18 (63 events).
The events differ significantly in order to match the age groups and interests of the young athletes. Basketball will for example be played according to the FIBA 33 formula, with teams of three playing against each other on one half-court. The most important particularity of the YOG is however the numerous mixed–gender or National Olympic Committees (NOCs) – team events in archery, athletics (medley relay), cycling (combined BMX-mountain bike-road event), equestrian, fencing, judo, modern pentathlon (relay), swimming (relay), table tennis, tennis and triathlon (relay).
The qualification system for each sport and discipline, which was prepared in close collaboration with each International Federation (IF), strives to guarantee participation of the best athletes in their age category and to respect the principle of universality by allowing NOCs to benefit from the “Universality Places”.
For all disciplines, competitions such as Junior World Championships, Continental Championships or official junior ranking lists will allow athletes to attempt to qualify for the YOG.
The four team sport** tournaments (football, handball, hockey and volleyball) will consist of one national team per continent as well as a sixth team which will either represent the NOC of the host country or be proposed by the IFs for IOC approval. An NOC will be allowed to have no more than one boys’ and one girls’ team competing for all four team sports.
Besides the sports competitions programme, the YOG will feature an extensive Cultural and Educational Programme (CEP), which aims to introduce, in a fun and festive spirit, the young athletes to Olympism and the Olympic values, and to raise awareness on important issues such as the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, the fight against doping and their role as sports ambassadors in their communities. As a result of close collaboration between the IOC and the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC), an innovative and attractive CEP has been developed, with SYOGOC looking to finalise it shortly and start implementation at the beginning of next year.
Mixed teams set for YOG@straits times
the real innovation of the Games - the brainchild of IOC President Jacques Rogge - is the mixing up of genders in the team competitions, with boys and girls from different countries representing their respective continents.
Certain other sports such as archery, athletics, cycling (with one event a combined one of road race and BMX), fencing, judo, modern pentathlon, swimming, tennis, table tennis and triathlon will also be modelled on that format.
Others will be tried out under another model, such as basketball which will feature teams of just three on half the usual size court.
AYG update
SINGAPORE SPORTS COUNCIL AND MINISTRY OF EDUCATION TO CO-ORGANISE THE INAUGURAL ASIAN YOUTH GAMES SINGAPORE 2009@SSC
Singapore, 14 November 2008 - In about 32 weeks (227 days), Singapore will play host to young athletes and officials from 45 Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) member nations at the first-ever Asian Youth Games (AYG) in Singapore in 2009. The multi-sport event will take place from 29 June to 7 July 2009, and will be jointly organised by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Singapore Sports Council (SSC).
official website 2009 Asian Youth Games
Singapore, 14 November 2008 - In about 32 weeks (227 days), Singapore will play host to young athletes and officials from 45 Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) member nations at the first-ever Asian Youth Games (AYG) in Singapore in 2009. The multi-sport event will take place from 29 June to 7 July 2009, and will be jointly organised by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Singapore Sports Council (SSC).
official website 2009 Asian Youth Games
27 November 2008
AOC budget for London Olympics
AOC announces $30 million spend on London Olympic Team@AOC
The AOC has budgeted $16.7m to prepare the 2012 Australian Olympic Team and $13.4m to send the Team to London.
The AOC has budgeted $647,000 towards sending a Team to the first Youth Olympic Games (YOG) staged by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Singapore in 2010.
The AOC has budgeted $16.7m to prepare the 2012 Australian Olympic Team and $13.4m to send the Team to London.
The AOC has budgeted $647,000 towards sending a Team to the first Youth Olympic Games (YOG) staged by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in Singapore in 2010.
21 November 2008
YOG update
YOG venues to be upgraded@Straits Times
Under the initial plans, about US$6.87million (S$10.5 million) of the total US$75 million budget was to be allocated for upgrading works at the 18 existing venues. The figure is set to increase.
Under the initial plans, about US$6.87million (S$10.5 million) of the total US$75 million budget was to be allocated for upgrading works at the 18 existing venues. The figure is set to increase.
Australian got additional funding for high performance sport
ASC welcomes $12.6 million boost for high performance sport@ASC
Included within the $12.6 million funding is $8.1 million for currently funded national sporting organisations to further support their work developing Australia’s elite athletes.
The balance of the funding ($4.5 million) is for Australian Government Sport Training Grants which provide funds directly to targeted elite athletes, selected on the basis of medal potential, to assist with their preparations for international competition.
Included within the $12.6 million funding is $8.1 million for currently funded national sporting organisations to further support their work developing Australia’s elite athletes.
The balance of the funding ($4.5 million) is for Australian Government Sport Training Grants which provide funds directly to targeted elite athletes, selected on the basis of medal potential, to assist with their preparations for international competition.
EIS recovery research
RESEARCHING RECOVERY@EIS
common practice of recovery: water immersion, contrast bathing and compression garments
EIS will focus upon how intermittent sporting activity affects various ‘biomarkers’ of both muscle damage and training adaptation and ascertain how different recovery strategies may influence/manipulate them
common practice of recovery: water immersion, contrast bathing and compression garments
EIS will focus upon how intermittent sporting activity affects various ‘biomarkers’ of both muscle damage and training adaptation and ascertain how different recovery strategies may influence/manipulate them
15 November 2008
Asian Youth Games 2009 update
AYG not just a test for YOG@straits times
The AYG will be held from June 29 to July 7 next year, with Downtown East set to be the Games Village to both athletes and officials.
It will see 1,000 athletes aged between 14 and 17 from 45 countries competing in over 80 events in nine sports - aquatics (diving and swimming), athletics, bowling, beach volleyball, 3-on-3 basketball, football, sailing, shooting and table tennis.
The learning process will include observing how the Games Village is run and gaining hands-on experience during the event. Other key areas that will come under scrutiny include logistics, transport, security, medical services and anti-doping measures.
The AYG will be held from June 29 to July 7 next year, with Downtown East set to be the Games Village to both athletes and officials.
It will see 1,000 athletes aged between 14 and 17 from 45 countries competing in over 80 events in nine sports - aquatics (diving and swimming), athletics, bowling, beach volleyball, 3-on-3 basketball, football, sailing, shooting and table tennis.
The learning process will include observing how the Games Village is run and gaining hands-on experience during the event. Other key areas that will come under scrutiny include logistics, transport, security, medical services and anti-doping measures.
01 November 2008
Youth Olympic Games Learning Centre@Singapore
Singapore 2010 opens Youth Olympic Games Learning Centre@IOC
Discover the spirit of Olympism and trace Singapore’s journey as host of the first Youth Olympic Games: this is what thousands of young Olympic fans will experience in a special Learning Centre, which opened yesterday in Singapore. “The opening of the YOG Learning Centre is a milestone in our journey. Its setting up attests to our commitment to promote Olympic education,” said Mr Ng Ser Miang, IOC member and Chairman of the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC).
Discover the spirit of Olympism and trace Singapore’s journey as host of the first Youth Olympic Games: this is what thousands of young Olympic fans will experience in a special Learning Centre, which opened yesterday in Singapore. “The opening of the YOG Learning Centre is a milestone in our journey. Its setting up attests to our commitment to promote Olympic education,” said Mr Ng Ser Miang, IOC member and Chairman of the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC).
30 October 2008
Sports Sci J@Sep-Oct08
Sep-Oct 08
Coaching
Meeting the Global Demand of Sports Safety: The Intersection of Science and Policy in Sports Safety. SM
The performance environment of the England youth soccer teams: A quantitative investigation. JSS
Volume vs. Intensity in the Training of Competitive Swimmers. IJSM
An elite endurance athlete's recovery from underperformance aided by a multidisciplinary sport science support team. EJSS
Strength & Conditioning
Influence of Closed Skill and Open Skill Warm-ups on the Performance of Speed, Change of Direction Speed, Vertical Jump, and Reactive Agility in Team Sport Athletes. JSCR
Relationships Between Repeated Sprint Testing, Speed, and Endurance. JSCR
Improving Agility Techniques. PTJ
The Importance of Sensory-Motor Control in Providing Core Stability: Implications for Measurement and Training. SM
Physiology
Is heart rate a convenient tool to monitor over-reaching? A systematic review of the literature. BJSM
Validity of a Repeated-Sprint Test for Football. IJSM
Validity of the Running Repeated Sprint Ability Test Among Playing Positions and Level of Competitiveness in Trained Soccer Players. IJSM
Anthropometric and Physiological Differences Between First Team and Reserve Soccer Players Aged 10-14 Years at the Beginning and End of the Season. JSCR
The effect of recovery strategies on physical performance and cumulative fatigue in competitive basketball. JSS
Muscle damage, inflammation, and recovery interventions during a 3-day basketball tournament. EJSS
Physiological Responses to Cold Water Immersion Following Cycling in the Heat. IJSPP
Practical precooling: Effect on cycling time trial performance in warm conditions. JSS
Influence of recovery intensity on time spent at maximal oxygen uptake during an intermittent session in young, endurance-trained athletes. JSS
Swimming Performance After Passive and Active Recovery of Various Durations. IJSPP
The effect of participation in Ramadan on substrate selection during submaximal cycling exercise. JSMS
Nutrition
Development of Individual Hydration Strategies for Athletes. IJSNEM
Drinking policies and exercise-associated hyponatraemia: is anyone still promoting overdrinking? BJSM
Estimating changes in hydration status from changes in body mass: Considerations regarding metabolic water and glycogen storage. JSS
The use of body mass changes as a practical measure of dehydration in team sports. JSMS
Cold Drink Ingestion Improves Exercise Endurance Capacity in the Heat. MSSE
The importance of accurate site location for skinfold measurement. JSS
What Coaches Need to Know About the Nutrition of Female High School Athletes: A Dietitian's Perspective. SCJ
Biomechanics
The Role of Motion Analysis in Elite Soccer: Contemporary Performance Measurement Techniques and Work Rate Data. SM
Sports Medicine
Mass ECG screening of young athletes. BJSM
Clinical and Laboratory Evaluation of Upper Respiratory Symptoms in Elite Athletes. CJSM
SUITABILITY OF FIFA'S "THE 11" TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR YOUNG FOOTBALL PLAYERS - IMPACT ON PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE. JSSM
Characterizing the Perception of the Placebo Effect in Sports Medicine. CJSM
Effectiveness of Foot Orthoses for Treatment and Prevention of Lower Limb Injuries: A Review. SM
Warm-Up and Stretching in the Prevention of Muscular Injury. SM
Psychology
Nil
Talent ID and development
Talent Identification and Development Programmes in Sport: Current Models and Future Directions. SM
The human genome and sport, including epigenetics and athleticogenomics: A brief look at a rapidly changing field. JSS
The relative age effect in young French basketball players: a study on the whole population. SJMSS
Coaching
Meeting the Global Demand of Sports Safety: The Intersection of Science and Policy in Sports Safety. SM
The performance environment of the England youth soccer teams: A quantitative investigation. JSS
Volume vs. Intensity in the Training of Competitive Swimmers. IJSM
An elite endurance athlete's recovery from underperformance aided by a multidisciplinary sport science support team. EJSS
Strength & Conditioning
Influence of Closed Skill and Open Skill Warm-ups on the Performance of Speed, Change of Direction Speed, Vertical Jump, and Reactive Agility in Team Sport Athletes. JSCR
Relationships Between Repeated Sprint Testing, Speed, and Endurance. JSCR
Improving Agility Techniques. PTJ
The Importance of Sensory-Motor Control in Providing Core Stability: Implications for Measurement and Training. SM
Physiology
Is heart rate a convenient tool to monitor over-reaching? A systematic review of the literature. BJSM
Validity of a Repeated-Sprint Test for Football. IJSM
Validity of the Running Repeated Sprint Ability Test Among Playing Positions and Level of Competitiveness in Trained Soccer Players. IJSM
Anthropometric and Physiological Differences Between First Team and Reserve Soccer Players Aged 10-14 Years at the Beginning and End of the Season. JSCR
The effect of recovery strategies on physical performance and cumulative fatigue in competitive basketball. JSS
Muscle damage, inflammation, and recovery interventions during a 3-day basketball tournament. EJSS
Physiological Responses to Cold Water Immersion Following Cycling in the Heat. IJSPP
Practical precooling: Effect on cycling time trial performance in warm conditions. JSS
Influence of recovery intensity on time spent at maximal oxygen uptake during an intermittent session in young, endurance-trained athletes. JSS
Swimming Performance After Passive and Active Recovery of Various Durations. IJSPP
The effect of participation in Ramadan on substrate selection during submaximal cycling exercise. JSMS
Nutrition
Development of Individual Hydration Strategies for Athletes. IJSNEM
Drinking policies and exercise-associated hyponatraemia: is anyone still promoting overdrinking? BJSM
Estimating changes in hydration status from changes in body mass: Considerations regarding metabolic water and glycogen storage. JSS
The use of body mass changes as a practical measure of dehydration in team sports. JSMS
Cold Drink Ingestion Improves Exercise Endurance Capacity in the Heat. MSSE
The importance of accurate site location for skinfold measurement. JSS
What Coaches Need to Know About the Nutrition of Female High School Athletes: A Dietitian's Perspective. SCJ
Biomechanics
The Role of Motion Analysis in Elite Soccer: Contemporary Performance Measurement Techniques and Work Rate Data. SM
Sports Medicine
Mass ECG screening of young athletes. BJSM
Clinical and Laboratory Evaluation of Upper Respiratory Symptoms in Elite Athletes. CJSM
SUITABILITY OF FIFA'S "THE 11" TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR YOUNG FOOTBALL PLAYERS - IMPACT ON PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE. JSSM
Characterizing the Perception of the Placebo Effect in Sports Medicine. CJSM
Effectiveness of Foot Orthoses for Treatment and Prevention of Lower Limb Injuries: A Review. SM
Warm-Up and Stretching in the Prevention of Muscular Injury. SM
Psychology
Nil
Talent ID and development
Talent Identification and Development Programmes in Sport: Current Models and Future Directions. SM
The human genome and sport, including epigenetics and athleticogenomics: A brief look at a rapidly changing field. JSS
The relative age effect in young French basketball players: a study on the whole population. SJMSS
18 October 2008
effects of global financial crisis on Singapore sports funding
Local sports scene not to be affected by economic slowdown@CNA
The Singapore Government has committed S$800 million into developing sports here, investing S$500 million between 2001 and 2005, and the remaining S$300 million from 2005 to 2010.
The Government expects the local sports industry — worth S$796 million in 2005 — to contribute S$2 billion of the GDP and provide 20,000 jobs by 2015.
However, the global financial crisis has raised concerns that sports funding may be cut. Last week, it was reported that the completion date of the S$1.87 billion Sports Hub at Kallang is expected to be delayed to 2012 as a result of the crisis.
Funding to the 60 National Sports Associations (NSA) for the current fiscal year — S$32.4 million, up from S$31.9 million in 2007 — and national athletes is unlikely to be affected too.
The Singapore Government has committed S$800 million into developing sports here, investing S$500 million between 2001 and 2005, and the remaining S$300 million from 2005 to 2010.
The Government expects the local sports industry — worth S$796 million in 2005 — to contribute S$2 billion of the GDP and provide 20,000 jobs by 2015.
However, the global financial crisis has raised concerns that sports funding may be cut. Last week, it was reported that the completion date of the S$1.87 billion Sports Hub at Kallang is expected to be delayed to 2012 as a result of the crisis.
Funding to the 60 National Sports Associations (NSA) for the current fiscal year — S$32.4 million, up from S$31.9 million in 2007 — and national athletes is unlikely to be affected too.
11 October 2008
ultra-compact wireless wearable GPS+ sleep monitor
Fitbit Raises Healthy $2 Million From True Ventures And SoftTech VC@TechCrunch
The company is developing an ultra-compact wireless wearable sensor, called the Fitbit Tracker, that automatically tracks data about a person’s activities, such as calories burned, sleep quality, steps and distance.
All data gets automatically synchronized to your computer and then the web through a wireless base station, so you don’t even have to plug it in. Once synced, you can view your health reports online.
The device, set to go on sale in early 2009 for $99 a pop
The company is developing an ultra-compact wireless wearable sensor, called the Fitbit Tracker, that automatically tracks data about a person’s activities, such as calories burned, sleep quality, steps and distance.
All data gets automatically synchronized to your computer and then the web through a wireless base station, so you don’t even have to plug it in. Once synced, you can view your health reports online.
The device, set to go on sale in early 2009 for $99 a pop
02 October 2008
radio tracking system for athletes monitoring
High-tech tracking device for Olympic success@ASC
The latest weapon in Australian athletes’ training arsenal has just been added thanks to a new collaboration announced by the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and the CSIRO.
In a world first, a mobile radio transmitter attached to an athlete or equipment can track their every move. The information is instantaneously sent back to the coach via a wireless network, enabling monitoring of an athlete’s location, speed and position relative to other athletes.
For a cyclist training in a velodrome, a light, mobile phone-sized device can be attached to the bike and can monitor, in real time, the cyclist’s location, speed, split times and accelerations. As well, the device can marry this information with the athlete’s sensory data such as body temperature and various indicators of fatigue.
The latest weapon in Australian athletes’ training arsenal has just been added thanks to a new collaboration announced by the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and the CSIRO.
In a world first, a mobile radio transmitter attached to an athlete or equipment can track their every move. The information is instantaneously sent back to the coach via a wireless network, enabling monitoring of an athlete’s location, speed and position relative to other athletes.
For a cyclist training in a velodrome, a light, mobile phone-sized device can be attached to the bike and can monitor, in real time, the cyclist’s location, speed, split times and accelerations. As well, the device can marry this information with the athlete’s sensory data such as body temperature and various indicators of fatigue.
09 September 2008
Sports Sci J@Jul-Aug08
This is the latest sports science journal update.
---
Jul-Aug 08
Coaching
Stressors in elite sport: A coach perspective. JSS
Sprint vs. Interval Training in Football. IJSM
Strength & Conditioning
Development and Reliability of Two Core Stability Field Tests. JSCR
Resistance Exercise Biology: Manipulation of Resistance Exercise Programme Variables Determines the Responses of Cellular and Molecular Signalling Pathways. SM
Program Development for the Multisport High School Athlete. SCJ
Physiology
Autonomic Control of Heart Rate during and after Exercise: Measurements and Implications for Monitoring Training Status. SM
Evaluation of the Reliability of Soccer-Specific Field Tests. JSCR
Predicting Lactate Threshold Using Ventilatory Threshold. IJSM
Recovery From Training: A Brief Review: Brief Review. JSCR
Effect of Hydrotherapy on Recovery from Fatigue. IJSM
The Effects of Contrast Bathing and Compression Therapy on Muscular Performance. MSSE
Recovery training in cyclists: ergometric, hormonal and psychometric findings. SJMSS
Effect of Recovery Mode on Repeated Sprint Ability in Young Basketball Players. JSCR
Precooling Improves Endurance Performance in the Heat. CJSM
Is it Time for Sports Performance Researchers to Adopt a Clinical-Type Research Framework? IJSM
Doping and Physiological Research – Hostile Brothers or Unwanted Twins? IJSM
Nutrition
Anaerobic performance when rehydrating with water or commercially available sports drinks during prolonged exercise in the heat. APNM
Putting to rest the myth of creatine supplementation leading to muscle cramps and dehydration. BJSM
Biomechanics
Nil
Sports Medicine
A Physiological and Psychological Basis for Anti-Pronation Taping from a Critical Review of the Literature. SM
Concurrent Validity of Four Clinical Tests Used to Measure Hamstring Flexibility. JSCR
Different Diagnostic Tools in Nonfunctional Overreaching. IJSM
Screening the athlete’s shoulder for impingement symptoms: a clinical reasoning algorithm for early detection of shoulder pathology. BJSM
Salivary IgA as a Risk Factor for Upper Respiratory Infections in Elite Professional Athletes. MSSE
Air Pollution and Sports Performance in Beijing. IJSM
Psychology
Functional impact of emotions on athletic performance: Comparing the IZOF model and the directional perception approach. JSS
Talent ID and development
Anthropometric and Physiological Differences Between First Team and Reserve Soccer Players Aged 10-14 Years at the Beginning and End of the Season. JSCR
Association of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism with power athlete status in Russians. EJAP
---
---
Jul-Aug 08
Coaching
Stressors in elite sport: A coach perspective. JSS
Sprint vs. Interval Training in Football. IJSM
Strength & Conditioning
Development and Reliability of Two Core Stability Field Tests. JSCR
Resistance Exercise Biology: Manipulation of Resistance Exercise Programme Variables Determines the Responses of Cellular and Molecular Signalling Pathways. SM
Program Development for the Multisport High School Athlete. SCJ
Physiology
Autonomic Control of Heart Rate during and after Exercise: Measurements and Implications for Monitoring Training Status. SM
Evaluation of the Reliability of Soccer-Specific Field Tests. JSCR
Predicting Lactate Threshold Using Ventilatory Threshold. IJSM
Recovery From Training: A Brief Review: Brief Review. JSCR
Effect of Hydrotherapy on Recovery from Fatigue. IJSM
The Effects of Contrast Bathing and Compression Therapy on Muscular Performance. MSSE
Recovery training in cyclists: ergometric, hormonal and psychometric findings. SJMSS
Effect of Recovery Mode on Repeated Sprint Ability in Young Basketball Players. JSCR
Precooling Improves Endurance Performance in the Heat. CJSM
Is it Time for Sports Performance Researchers to Adopt a Clinical-Type Research Framework? IJSM
Doping and Physiological Research – Hostile Brothers or Unwanted Twins? IJSM
Nutrition
Anaerobic performance when rehydrating with water or commercially available sports drinks during prolonged exercise in the heat. APNM
Putting to rest the myth of creatine supplementation leading to muscle cramps and dehydration. BJSM
Biomechanics
Nil
Sports Medicine
A Physiological and Psychological Basis for Anti-Pronation Taping from a Critical Review of the Literature. SM
Concurrent Validity of Four Clinical Tests Used to Measure Hamstring Flexibility. JSCR
Different Diagnostic Tools in Nonfunctional Overreaching. IJSM
Screening the athlete’s shoulder for impingement symptoms: a clinical reasoning algorithm for early detection of shoulder pathology. BJSM
Salivary IgA as a Risk Factor for Upper Respiratory Infections in Elite Professional Athletes. MSSE
Air Pollution and Sports Performance in Beijing. IJSM
Psychology
Functional impact of emotions on athletic performance: Comparing the IZOF model and the directional perception approach. JSS
Talent ID and development
Anthropometric and Physiological Differences Between First Team and Reserve Soccer Players Aged 10-14 Years at the Beginning and End of the Season. JSCR
Association of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism with power athlete status in Russians. EJAP
---
18 August 2008
SPEEDO effects
LZR-Racer Results@SPEEDO
It’s been an amazing 8 days of swimming, 23 out of 25 WR’s have been won by athletes wearing Speedo LZR RACER at the Beijing Games (92%).
94% of gold medals at the games have been won in Speedo LZR RACER.
89% of all medals were won in Speedo LZR RACER.
Every event in men’s swimming was won by an athlete wearing the Speedo LZR RACER.
It’s been an amazing 8 days of swimming, 23 out of 25 WR’s have been won by athletes wearing Speedo LZR RACER at the Beijing Games (92%).
94% of gold medals at the games have been won in Speedo LZR RACER.
89% of all medals were won in Speedo LZR RACER.
Every event in men’s swimming was won by an athlete wearing the Speedo LZR RACER.
13 August 2008
radio tracking system for indoor and outdoor sports
High-tech tracking device for Olympic success@AIS
The latest weapon in Australian athletes’ training arsenal has just been added thanks to a new collaboration announced today by the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and the CSIRO.
In a world first, a mobile radio transmitter attached to an athlete or equipment can track their every move. The information is instantaneously sent back to the coach via a wireless network, enabling monitoring of an athlete’s location, speed and position relative to other athletes.
For a cyclist training in a velodrome, a light, mobile phone-sized device can be attached to the bike and can monitor, in real time, the cyclist’s location, speed, split times and accelerations. As well, the device can marry this information with the athlete’s sensory data such as body temperature and various indicators of fatigue.
The latest weapon in Australian athletes’ training arsenal has just been added thanks to a new collaboration announced today by the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and the CSIRO.
In a world first, a mobile radio transmitter attached to an athlete or equipment can track their every move. The information is instantaneously sent back to the coach via a wireless network, enabling monitoring of an athlete’s location, speed and position relative to other athletes.
For a cyclist training in a velodrome, a light, mobile phone-sized device can be attached to the bike and can monitor, in real time, the cyclist’s location, speed, split times and accelerations. As well, the device can marry this information with the athlete’s sensory data such as body temperature and various indicators of fatigue.
12 August 2008
sports technology used in Beijing Olympics
Gadgets Boost Olympic Performance — Legally@wired
Speedo LZR Suit
Lew Racing 8-Spoke Wheel and Disc Cranked Arrow
Respro Sportsta Face Mask
CAT-150 Hypoxic Portable Tent
Nike MaxSight contact lenses
Nike Flywire Zoom Victory Spikes and Adidas Lone Stars
Game Ready Cooling Vest and Nike PreCool Vest
Mizuno RB500/14.0 Bat
Nike Pidima
Robo-Pong 2040 Training Robot
Mikasa MVA200
VR Goggles
Speedo LZR Suit
Lew Racing 8-Spoke Wheel and Disc Cranked Arrow
Respro Sportsta Face Mask
CAT-150 Hypoxic Portable Tent
Nike MaxSight contact lenses
Nike Flywire Zoom Victory Spikes and Adidas Lone Stars
Game Ready Cooling Vest and Nike PreCool Vest
Mizuno RB500/14.0 Bat
Nike Pidima
Robo-Pong 2040 Training Robot
Mikasa MVA200
VR Goggles
08 August 2008
EU athlete pathways
Study on the training of young sportsmen and sportswomen in Europe@ECS
the Commission awarded a contract for a study on the training of sportsmen and sportswomen in Europe to identify ways of improving the legal and political framework for preserving and developing high-quality training for top-level sportspersons, particularly young sportspersons, in Europe, and specifically to:
1. Describe the current situation regarding the training of top-level sportspersons in Europe;
2. Identify different approaches to the training of top-level sportspersons in Europe;
3. Identify examples of best practice in certain training systems;
4. Evaluate the training needs of top-level sportspersons and, where appropriate, methods to improve their training.
the Commission awarded a contract for a study on the training of sportsmen and sportswomen in Europe to identify ways of improving the legal and political framework for preserving and developing high-quality training for top-level sportspersons, particularly young sportspersons, in Europe, and specifically to:
1. Describe the current situation regarding the training of top-level sportspersons in Europe;
2. Identify different approaches to the training of top-level sportspersons in Europe;
3. Identify examples of best practice in certain training systems;
4. Evaluate the training needs of top-level sportspersons and, where appropriate, methods to improve their training.
AIS online talent ID
Talent hunt for next generation of Olympians goes online@ASC
The system was the brainchild of the ASC’s successful National Talent Identification and Development program which seeks to identify and develop Australia’s future sporting talent. eTID is a simple to use, free, online program that allows anyone (aged 12-29) to assess their sporting potential.
It provides opportunities for aspiring or current athletes and even former elite athletes looking to start a new sport. The athletes’ information is processed and if identified as ‘above average’ by eTID they are then encouraged to visit a Talent Assessment Centre (TAC) to have their results verified.
The system was the brainchild of the ASC’s successful National Talent Identification and Development program which seeks to identify and develop Australia’s future sporting talent. eTID is a simple to use, free, online program that allows anyone (aged 12-29) to assess their sporting potential.
It provides opportunities for aspiring or current athletes and even former elite athletes looking to start a new sport. The athletes’ information is processed and if identified as ‘above average’ by eTID they are then encouraged to visit a Talent Assessment Centre (TAC) to have their results verified.
05 August 2008
AUS recovery centre set up at Beijing
Recovery centre at Western Academy secret weapon for Australia's Beijing Olympic team@Fox sport
It features a 25m pool, twin ice baths, rehabilitation room and massage area. A dedicated recovery program has been tailored for each individual and team.
It features a 25m pool, twin ice baths, rehabilitation room and massage area. A dedicated recovery program has been tailored for each individual and team.
03 August 2008
cooling inside the body to cope with Beijing heat
Aussie secret weapon@AOC
Slush puppy, freezy, slurpee – call them what you like, but they are the fastest heat reducing product available. Scientifically proven by the Aussie team’s medical staff, the slurpees reduce the core body temperature faster than ice vests and cold towels.
Depending on the temperature of the day and athlete, the slurpees will be ingested before, during and after competition.
The athletes won’t taste the traditional raspberry and cola flavours, but rather those like berry ice and mountain blast of Powerade.
The key to brain freeze is putting your tongue to the roof of your mouth.
Slush puppy, freezy, slurpee – call them what you like, but they are the fastest heat reducing product available. Scientifically proven by the Aussie team’s medical staff, the slurpees reduce the core body temperature faster than ice vests and cold towels.
Depending on the temperature of the day and athlete, the slurpees will be ingested before, during and after competition.
The athletes won’t taste the traditional raspberry and cola flavours, but rather those like berry ice and mountain blast of Powerade.
The key to brain freeze is putting your tongue to the roof of your mouth.
29 July 2008
renewed IOC website
International Olympic Committee Unveils the Ultimate Olympic Reference@IOC
On Monday, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) unveiled a dramatically improved web site, with new interactive games, Flash animation, videos of highlights and other features that make it a one-stop source for information on the Olympic Games.
On Monday, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) unveiled a dramatically improved web site, with new interactive games, Flash animation, videos of highlights and other features that make it a one-stop source for information on the Olympic Games.
23 July 2008
Singapore-based training camp before Beijing Olympics
32 teams from 22 countries to train in S'pore ahead of Beijing Olympics@CNA
It will be a mini-Olympics of sorts in Singapore ahead of the Beijing Games. That's because 32 teams from 22 countries will use the island as a training base for 10 sports in preparation for the Olympics.
Singapore was selected because of its good infrastructure, similar weather and time zone to the Chinese capital.
The New Zealand women's football team is just one of the squads to make Singapore its base for their final preparations before the big Games.
They will be joined by top teams, like the US swimmers, which last year sent their junior team to check out the scene here.
And some will also be here to compete, like the water polo teams from nine nations, playing in the Pre-Olympics Water Polo Invitational in early August.
It will be a mini-Olympics of sorts in Singapore ahead of the Beijing Games. That's because 32 teams from 22 countries will use the island as a training base for 10 sports in preparation for the Olympics.
Singapore was selected because of its good infrastructure, similar weather and time zone to the Chinese capital.
The New Zealand women's football team is just one of the squads to make Singapore its base for their final preparations before the big Games.
They will be joined by top teams, like the US swimmers, which last year sent their junior team to check out the scene here.
And some will also be here to compete, like the water polo teams from nine nations, playing in the Pre-Olympics Water Polo Invitational in early August.
16 July 2008
UK FA talent transfer programme
pitch2podium@UK Sport
Pitch2Podium is a new and exciting programme created by UK Sport, the English Institute of Sport (EIS) and our partners within the football authorities (Football Association, Professional Footballers’ Association, Premier League and Premier League Learning, The Football League, and League Football Education).
The aim of the programme is to provide young footballers who have been unsuccessful in securing a professional football contract, with a second chance opportunity to succeed in a new Olympic sport.
The assessment event, by design will be fun, competitive and will include the following:
- Anthropometrics (height, weight, arm span, sitting height)
- Dynamic Strength (dyno leg press / arm pull)
- Power (vertical jump, stationary sprint bike tests)
- Speed (5, 10 and 20m sprints)
- Endurance (multistage stage fitness test)
- Skill (sport specific motor coordination)
Pitch2Podium is a new and exciting programme created by UK Sport, the English Institute of Sport (EIS) and our partners within the football authorities (Football Association, Professional Footballers’ Association, Premier League and Premier League Learning, The Football League, and League Football Education).
The aim of the programme is to provide young footballers who have been unsuccessful in securing a professional football contract, with a second chance opportunity to succeed in a new Olympic sport.
The assessment event, by design will be fun, competitive and will include the following:
- Anthropometrics (height, weight, arm span, sitting height)
- Dynamic Strength (dyno leg press / arm pull)
- Power (vertical jump, stationary sprint bike tests)
- Speed (5, 10 and 20m sprints)
- Endurance (multistage stage fitness test)
- Skill (sport specific motor coordination)
09 July 2008
salivary IgA is the key of upper respiratory tract infection (URTI)
Saliva holds the key to reducing upper respiratory illness in athletes@Loughborough Uni
The study involved 38 athletes from the prestigious America’s Cup yacht race
The study was carried out over 50 weeks and subjects were from a top yacht crew preparing for the 32nd America’s Cup (2007). Athletes provided weekly saliva samples and rated their level of fatigue, while their sailing and training load and any respiratory illnesses and infections were also recorded.
Results showed that levels of the saliva protein declined in the weeks prior to infection, and as a group the lower the level of IgA the greater the risk of illness. When IgA levels dropped below 40% of the normal value, athletes had a one in two chance of infection. Low levels of IgA also corresponded with high levels of fatigue, identified by the athletes.
The study involved 38 athletes from the prestigious America’s Cup yacht race
The study was carried out over 50 weeks and subjects were from a top yacht crew preparing for the 32nd America’s Cup (2007). Athletes provided weekly saliva samples and rated their level of fatigue, while their sailing and training load and any respiratory illnesses and infections were also recorded.
Results showed that levels of the saliva protein declined in the weeks prior to infection, and as a group the lower the level of IgA the greater the risk of illness. When IgA levels dropped below 40% of the normal value, athletes had a one in two chance of infection. Low levels of IgA also corresponded with high levels of fatigue, identified by the athletes.
UK Centre for Coaching Excellence will be open
UK Centre for Coaching Excellence to open at Leeds Metropolitan University@UK Sport
The Centre will be the first of its kind in the United Kingdom and will benefit up-and-coming coaches in a wide range of sports to help them reach the top and help drive a legacy of sporting success for British athletes.
The Centre will focus on four areas of development:
* High Performance: for coaches of athletes capable of achieving success at international level
* Performer Development: for coaches that will focus on talent identification and development of young athletes
* Participation: for coaches working in community sport, helping to increase sport participation
* Children’s coaches: for coaches that will work specifically with young people at each stage of their early development in sport.
The Centre will be the first of its kind in the United Kingdom and will benefit up-and-coming coaches in a wide range of sports to help them reach the top and help drive a legacy of sporting success for British athletes.
The Centre will focus on four areas of development:
* High Performance: for coaches of athletes capable of achieving success at international level
* Performer Development: for coaches that will focus on talent identification and development of young athletes
* Participation: for coaches working in community sport, helping to increase sport participation
* Children’s coaches: for coaches that will work specifically with young people at each stage of their early development in sport.
24 June 2008
overview of Asian Youth Games 2009
Asian Youth Games: Singapore to host eight sports in 2009 Games@Yahoo
eight sports: track and field, bowling, beach volleyball, three-on-three basketball, sailing, shooting, swimming and diving, and table tennis
dates: 2-9 July 2009
Hosting the Asian Youth Games was part of Singapore's bid plan submitted to the International Olympic Committee when the Republic was bidding to stage the Youth Olympics.
eight sports: track and field, bowling, beach volleyball, three-on-three basketball, sailing, shooting, swimming and diving, and table tennis
dates: 2-9 July 2009
Hosting the Asian Youth Games was part of Singapore's bid plan submitted to the International Olympic Committee when the Republic was bidding to stage the Youth Olympics.
16 June 2008
Sports Sci J@May-Jun 08
This is the latest sports science journal update@May-Jun 08:
Coaching
Travelling to China for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. BJSM
Maximal Strength Training Improves Running Economy in Distance Runners. MSSE
Effect of Fastskin Suits on Performance, Drag, and Energy Cost of Swimming. MSSE
Maximal Power and Performance during a Swim Taper. IJSM
Vibration Training in Elite Sport: Effective Training Solution or Just Another Fad? IJSPP
Sports Science: Where Are the Future Employment Prospects? IJSPP
Strength & Conditioning
Design and Implementation of a Specific Strength Program for Badminton. SCJ
Basic Statistics for the Strength and Conditioning Professional. SCJ
Relationship Between Sprint Times and the Strength/Power Outputs of a Machine Squat Jump. JSCR
Reliability of Measures Obtained During Single and Repeated Countermovement Jumps. IJSPP
Physiology
Validity, Reliability and Sensitivity of Measures of Sporting Performance. SM
Muscle Fatigue during Football Match-Play. SM
Challenging a Dogma of Exercise Physiology: Does an Incremental Exercise Test for Valid V-dotO2max Determination Really Need to Last Between 8 and 12 Minutes? SM
Analysis and Monitoring of Oxidative Stress in Exercise and Training by FTIR Spectrometry. IJSPP
The Use of Sprint Tests for Assessment of Speed Qualities of Elite Australian Rules Footballers. IJSPP
Performance and metabolism in repeated sprint exercise: effect of recovery intensity. EJAP
A heat acclimation protocol for team sports. BJSM
Fatigue mechanisms determining exercise performance: integrative physiology is systems biology. JAP
Nutrition
Sodium Bicarbonate Improves Swimming Performance. IJSM
Biomechanics
Arm Coordination Adaptations Assessment in Swimming. IJSM
Sports Medicine
Preventing sports injuries at the national level: time for other nations to follow New Zealand’s remarkable success. BJSM
Injury surveillance in multi-sport events: the International Olympic Committee approach. BJSM
The clinical utility of screening of biochemical parameters in elite athletes: analysis of 100 cases. BJSM
Scapular Positioning in Athlete's Shoulder: Particularities, Clinical Measurements and Implications. SM
Trend in Sports Injuries among Young People in Finland. IJSM
Prevention of Injuries Among Male Soccer Players: A Prospective, Randomized Intervention Study Targeting Players With Previous Injuries or Reduced Function. AJSM
Athletic induced iron deficiency: new insights into the role of inflammation, cytokines and hormones. EJAP
Screening for haematological and iron-related abnormalities in elite athletes—Analysis of 576 cases. JSMS
Psychology
Competitive experience and performance status: an investigation into multidimensional anxiety and coping. EJSS
Athletic Trainers’ and Physical Therapists’ Perceptions of the Effectiveness of Psychological Skills Within Sport Injury Rehabilitation Programs. JAT
Talent ID and development
Nil
Coaching
Travelling to China for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. BJSM
Maximal Strength Training Improves Running Economy in Distance Runners. MSSE
Effect of Fastskin Suits on Performance, Drag, and Energy Cost of Swimming. MSSE
Maximal Power and Performance during a Swim Taper. IJSM
Vibration Training in Elite Sport: Effective Training Solution or Just Another Fad? IJSPP
Sports Science: Where Are the Future Employment Prospects? IJSPP
Strength & Conditioning
Design and Implementation of a Specific Strength Program for Badminton. SCJ
Basic Statistics for the Strength and Conditioning Professional. SCJ
Relationship Between Sprint Times and the Strength/Power Outputs of a Machine Squat Jump. JSCR
Reliability of Measures Obtained During Single and Repeated Countermovement Jumps. IJSPP
Physiology
Validity, Reliability and Sensitivity of Measures of Sporting Performance. SM
Muscle Fatigue during Football Match-Play. SM
Challenging a Dogma of Exercise Physiology: Does an Incremental Exercise Test for Valid V-dotO2max Determination Really Need to Last Between 8 and 12 Minutes? SM
Analysis and Monitoring of Oxidative Stress in Exercise and Training by FTIR Spectrometry. IJSPP
The Use of Sprint Tests for Assessment of Speed Qualities of Elite Australian Rules Footballers. IJSPP
Performance and metabolism in repeated sprint exercise: effect of recovery intensity. EJAP
A heat acclimation protocol for team sports. BJSM
Fatigue mechanisms determining exercise performance: integrative physiology is systems biology. JAP
Nutrition
Sodium Bicarbonate Improves Swimming Performance. IJSM
Biomechanics
Arm Coordination Adaptations Assessment in Swimming. IJSM
Sports Medicine
Preventing sports injuries at the national level: time for other nations to follow New Zealand’s remarkable success. BJSM
Injury surveillance in multi-sport events: the International Olympic Committee approach. BJSM
The clinical utility of screening of biochemical parameters in elite athletes: analysis of 100 cases. BJSM
Scapular Positioning in Athlete's Shoulder: Particularities, Clinical Measurements and Implications. SM
Trend in Sports Injuries among Young People in Finland. IJSM
Prevention of Injuries Among Male Soccer Players: A Prospective, Randomized Intervention Study Targeting Players With Previous Injuries or Reduced Function. AJSM
Athletic induced iron deficiency: new insights into the role of inflammation, cytokines and hormones. EJAP
Screening for haematological and iron-related abnormalities in elite athletes—Analysis of 576 cases. JSMS
Psychology
Competitive experience and performance status: an investigation into multidimensional anxiety and coping. EJSS
Athletic Trainers’ and Physical Therapists’ Perceptions of the Effectiveness of Psychological Skills Within Sport Injury Rehabilitation Programs. JAT
Talent ID and development
Nil
10 June 2008
AOC communication tools at Beijing Olympics
AOC goes high-tech@AOC
Staff will work in virtual offices, accessing the AOC servers from Beijing. The experience will be seamless, provided by a permanent data connection between Beijing and the servers.
The equipment list includes 75 laptops with the latest software provided by Lenovo, 100 satellite mobile phones provided by Samsung, 50 Blackberries and a few hundred kilometres of extension cords.
In addition to mobile phones and Blackberries, the AOC will use Short Message Service (SMS) to communicate with staff and athletes during the Games.
Staff will work in virtual offices, accessing the AOC servers from Beijing. The experience will be seamless, provided by a permanent data connection between Beijing and the servers.
The equipment list includes 75 laptops with the latest software provided by Lenovo, 100 satellite mobile phones provided by Samsung, 50 Blackberries and a few hundred kilometres of extension cords.
In addition to mobile phones and Blackberries, the AOC will use Short Message Service (SMS) to communicate with staff and athletes during the Games.
04 June 2008
30 May 2008
Sports Science and Bowling Conference in Singapore
Sports Science and Bowling Conference 2008
Date : Sunday, 1 June 2008
Time : 8am to 5:30pm
Venue : AVA Room, Singapore Sports School
Conference Overview
Today, athletes do not just need talent to do well in sports. They need a well-equipped programme encompassing a customized training programme that is unique for them. The programme is more than building up their fitness and physically capabilities to perform through physical exercise and training. It is about how other supporting disciplines like Sports Science can be applied to enhance their performance.
The Singapore Sports School’s Sports Science Academy will share with participants of the conference on the integrated approach to enhance the performance of Ten-pin bowlers at the youth level. Participants can expect the experts in the sports science industry to deliver a power-packed session that will equip them with the essentials to help them improve the sports performance of bowlers.
Applied physiology of ten-pin bowling slide
Date : Sunday, 1 June 2008
Time : 8am to 5:30pm
Venue : AVA Room, Singapore Sports School
Conference Overview
Today, athletes do not just need talent to do well in sports. They need a well-equipped programme encompassing a customized training programme that is unique for them. The programme is more than building up their fitness and physically capabilities to perform through physical exercise and training. It is about how other supporting disciplines like Sports Science can be applied to enhance their performance.
The Singapore Sports School’s Sports Science Academy will share with participants of the conference on the integrated approach to enhance the performance of Ten-pin bowlers at the youth level. Participants can expect the experts in the sports science industry to deliver a power-packed session that will equip them with the essentials to help them improve the sports performance of bowlers.
Applied physiology of ten-pin bowling slide
16 May 2008
IOC personal trainer videos
Olympic Legends Offer their Services as Personal Trainers!@IOC
You can select advice on a variety of topics from Olympic legends including Alexander Popov, Barbara Kendall, Rania Elwani, Hicham El Guerrouj, Charmaine Crooks, and Sergey Bubka.
Personal Trainer website
You can select advice on a variety of topics from Olympic legends including Alexander Popov, Barbara Kendall, Rania Elwani, Hicham El Guerrouj, Charmaine Crooks, and Sergey Bubka.
Personal Trainer website
05 May 2008
Sports Science Journal@Mar-Apr08
Mar-Apr 08
This is bi-monthly sports science journal update.
---
Coaching
IOC consensus statement: "training the elite child athlete". BJSM
Cluster Training: A Novel Method for Introducing Training Program Variation. SCJ
Approaching Physical Preparation for Youth Team-Sports Players. SCJ
The key to top-level endurance running performance: a unique example. BJSM
Do you get value for money when you buy an expensive pair of running shoes? BJSM
Soccer penalty takers' uniform colour and pre-penalty kick gaze affect the impressions formed of them by opposing goalkeepers. JSS
Effect of Match-Related Fatigue on Short-Passing Ability in Young Soccer Players. MSSE
Strength & Conditioning
Challenges Applying the Research on Periodization. SCJ
Multiple-Sprint Work: Methodological, Physiological, and Experimental Issues. IJSPP
Development and Reliability of Two Core Stability Field Tests. JSCR
Coordination Specificity in Strength and Power Training. IJSM
Do Sex or Race Differences Influence Strength Training Effects on Muscle or Fat? MSSE
Physiology
An Applied Research Model for the Sport Sciences. SM
Quantifying Training Load: A Comparison of Subjective and Objective Methods. IJSPP
Validity, Reliability and Sensitivity of Measures of Sporting Performance. SM
Similar Sensitivity of Time to Exhaustion and Time-Trial Time to Changes in Endurance. MSSE
Seasonal progression and variability of repeat-effort line-drill performance in elite junior basketball players. JSS
A model study of optimal training reduction during pre-event taper in elite swimmers. JSS
Use of an Audio-Paced Incremental Swimming Test in Young National-Level Swimmers. IJSPP
Effect of cold water immersion on repeat cycling performance and thermoregulation in the heat. JSS
Describing and Understanding Pacing Strategies during Athletic Competition. SM
Lipid Profiles of Judo Athletes during Ramadan. IJSM
Effect of training in the fasted state on metabolic responses during exercise with carbohydrate intake. JAP
The 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test: Accuracy for Individualizing Interval Training of Young Intermittent Sport Players. JSCR
The relative contributions of anaerobic and aerobic energy supply during track 100-, 400- and 800-m perform. JSMPF
Reliability of Postexercise Heart Rate Recovery. IJSM
Altitude, Heart Rate Variability and Aerobic Capacities. IJSM
Bright Light and Thermoregulatory Responses to Exercise. IJSM
Nutrition
Sport and exercise nutrition: from theory to practice. EJSM
What is the optimal composition of an athlete's diet? EJSM
Building muscle: nutrition to maximize bulk and strength adaptations to resistance exercise training EJSM
Carbohydrate feeding during exercise. EJSM
Nutrition, sleep and recovery. EJSM
The influence of serial feeding of drinks at different temperatures on thermoregulatory responses during cycling. JSS
Resistance Training and Bone Mineral Density during Growth. IJSM
Biomechanics
Arm coordination in elite backstroke swimmers. JSS
Reconstruction accuracy in underwater three-dimensional kinematic analysis. JSMS
A New Portable Device for Assessing Locomotor Performance. IJSM
Sports Medicine
The early management of muscle strains in the elite athlete: best practice in a world with a limited evidence basis. BJSM
Effect of Kinesio taping on muscle strength in athletes—A pilot study. JSMS
Prevention of Injuries Among Male Soccer Players: A Prospective, Randomized Intervention Study Targeting Players With Previous Injuries or Reduced Function. AJSM
Electrocardiograms in Athletes: Interpretation and Diagnostic Accuracy. MSSE
New strategies for doping control. JSS
Gene doping. SJMSS
The social-cognitive mechanisms regulating adolescents' use of doping substances. JSS
Sudden cardiac death in young athletes: time for a Nordic approach in screening? SJMSS
Automated external defibrillators in the Australian fitness industry. JSMS
Artificial playing surface increases the injury risk in pivoting indoor sports: a prospective one-season follow-up study in Finnish female floorball. BJSM
Psychology
Psychological Skills Training Improves Exercise Performance in the Heat. MSSE
A social cognitive approach to burnout in elite athletes. SJMSS
Talent ID and development
Changes in motor skill and fitness measures among children with high and low motor competence: A five-year longitudinal study. JSMS
Genomics and Sports: Building a Bridge Towards a Rational and Personalized Training Framework. IJSM
Is there an association between PPARGC1A genotypes and endurance capacity in Chinese men? SJMSS
The ACTN3 Gene in Elite Greek Track and Field Athletes. IJSM
This is bi-monthly sports science journal update.
---
Coaching
IOC consensus statement: "training the elite child athlete". BJSM
Cluster Training: A Novel Method for Introducing Training Program Variation. SCJ
Approaching Physical Preparation for Youth Team-Sports Players. SCJ
The key to top-level endurance running performance: a unique example. BJSM
Do you get value for money when you buy an expensive pair of running shoes? BJSM
Soccer penalty takers' uniform colour and pre-penalty kick gaze affect the impressions formed of them by opposing goalkeepers. JSS
Effect of Match-Related Fatigue on Short-Passing Ability in Young Soccer Players. MSSE
Strength & Conditioning
Challenges Applying the Research on Periodization. SCJ
Multiple-Sprint Work: Methodological, Physiological, and Experimental Issues. IJSPP
Development and Reliability of Two Core Stability Field Tests. JSCR
Coordination Specificity in Strength and Power Training. IJSM
Do Sex or Race Differences Influence Strength Training Effects on Muscle or Fat? MSSE
Physiology
An Applied Research Model for the Sport Sciences. SM
Quantifying Training Load: A Comparison of Subjective and Objective Methods. IJSPP
Validity, Reliability and Sensitivity of Measures of Sporting Performance. SM
Similar Sensitivity of Time to Exhaustion and Time-Trial Time to Changes in Endurance. MSSE
Seasonal progression and variability of repeat-effort line-drill performance in elite junior basketball players. JSS
A model study of optimal training reduction during pre-event taper in elite swimmers. JSS
Use of an Audio-Paced Incremental Swimming Test in Young National-Level Swimmers. IJSPP
Effect of cold water immersion on repeat cycling performance and thermoregulation in the heat. JSS
Describing and Understanding Pacing Strategies during Athletic Competition. SM
Lipid Profiles of Judo Athletes during Ramadan. IJSM
Effect of training in the fasted state on metabolic responses during exercise with carbohydrate intake. JAP
The 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test: Accuracy for Individualizing Interval Training of Young Intermittent Sport Players. JSCR
The relative contributions of anaerobic and aerobic energy supply during track 100-, 400- and 800-m perform. JSMPF
Reliability of Postexercise Heart Rate Recovery. IJSM
Altitude, Heart Rate Variability and Aerobic Capacities. IJSM
Bright Light and Thermoregulatory Responses to Exercise. IJSM
Nutrition
Sport and exercise nutrition: from theory to practice. EJSM
What is the optimal composition of an athlete's diet? EJSM
Building muscle: nutrition to maximize bulk and strength adaptations to resistance exercise training EJSM
Carbohydrate feeding during exercise. EJSM
Nutrition, sleep and recovery. EJSM
The influence of serial feeding of drinks at different temperatures on thermoregulatory responses during cycling. JSS
Resistance Training and Bone Mineral Density during Growth. IJSM
Biomechanics
Arm coordination in elite backstroke swimmers. JSS
Reconstruction accuracy in underwater three-dimensional kinematic analysis. JSMS
A New Portable Device for Assessing Locomotor Performance. IJSM
Sports Medicine
The early management of muscle strains in the elite athlete: best practice in a world with a limited evidence basis. BJSM
Effect of Kinesio taping on muscle strength in athletes—A pilot study. JSMS
Prevention of Injuries Among Male Soccer Players: A Prospective, Randomized Intervention Study Targeting Players With Previous Injuries or Reduced Function. AJSM
Electrocardiograms in Athletes: Interpretation and Diagnostic Accuracy. MSSE
New strategies for doping control. JSS
Gene doping. SJMSS
The social-cognitive mechanisms regulating adolescents' use of doping substances. JSS
Sudden cardiac death in young athletes: time for a Nordic approach in screening? SJMSS
Automated external defibrillators in the Australian fitness industry. JSMS
Artificial playing surface increases the injury risk in pivoting indoor sports: a prospective one-season follow-up study in Finnish female floorball. BJSM
Psychology
Psychological Skills Training Improves Exercise Performance in the Heat. MSSE
A social cognitive approach to burnout in elite athletes. SJMSS
Talent ID and development
Changes in motor skill and fitness measures among children with high and low motor competence: A five-year longitudinal study. JSMS
Genomics and Sports: Building a Bridge Towards a Rational and Personalized Training Framework. IJSM
Is there an association between PPARGC1A genotypes and endurance capacity in Chinese men? SJMSS
The ACTN3 Gene in Elite Greek Track and Field Athletes. IJSM
05 April 2008
sports science support at 9th FINA World Championships (25m) Manchester 2008
I will be attending 16th FINA World Sports Medicine Congress on 7-8th to learn about latest updates on swimming science．From 9th to 13th, I will support Singapore swimmers at the 9th FINA World Championships (25m) Manchester 2008 for lactate and glucose monitoring and filming.
04 April 2008
IOC president to visit Singapore
IOC president to visit Singapore for update on 2010 YOG plans@CNA
Jacques Rogge, the IOC president, will start his three-day visit to Singapore on Friday.
Dr Rogge and his five-member delegation will be given a first-hand account of what has been done here, as Singapore prepares to host the Youth Olympic Games in 2010.
The IOC chief will also have a dialogue session with students at Victoria Junior College on Saturday.
He will also visit Nanyang Technological University and Singapore Sports School.
Another highlight of his visit will be the signing of the Host City Contract at the Istana, which will be witnessed by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Dr Rogge's visit coincides with more good news for Singapore – the city-state has just been given provisional membership into the International Skating Union (ISU), which means Singapore can now participate in big events such as the Winter Olympic Games.
Jacques Rogge, the IOC president, will start his three-day visit to Singapore on Friday.
Dr Rogge and his five-member delegation will be given a first-hand account of what has been done here, as Singapore prepares to host the Youth Olympic Games in 2010.
The IOC chief will also have a dialogue session with students at Victoria Junior College on Saturday.
He will also visit Nanyang Technological University and Singapore Sports School.
Another highlight of his visit will be the signing of the Host City Contract at the Istana, which will be witnessed by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Dr Rogge's visit coincides with more good news for Singapore – the city-state has just been given provisional membership into the International Skating Union (ISU), which means Singapore can now participate in big events such as the Winter Olympic Games.
UK R&D strategy
UK sport recognises eight innovation partners@UK sport
The UK Sport Research and Innovation department works to deliver bespoke performance solutions for sports’ national governing bodies in collaboration with the best British expertise in the fields of engineering, technology and human sciences.
Projects can involve anything that affects athletes competing on the world stage, from developing measurement equipment for use in training to coming up with optimal hydration and recovery strategies. The primary focus of research is on sports with high potential to win medals at the Olympic or Paralympic Games.
The eight Innovation Partners are: BAE Systems, emp: technology group, Frazer-Nash Consultancy, Loughborough University Sports Technology Institute, the Sport and Exercise Science Department at Portsmouth University, the Centre for Sport and Engineering Science at Sheffield Hallam University, TotalSim and the Wolfson Unit.
The UK Sport Research and Innovation department works to deliver bespoke performance solutions for sports’ national governing bodies in collaboration with the best British expertise in the fields of engineering, technology and human sciences.
Projects can involve anything that affects athletes competing on the world stage, from developing measurement equipment for use in training to coming up with optimal hydration and recovery strategies. The primary focus of research is on sports with high potential to win medals at the Olympic or Paralympic Games.
The eight Innovation Partners are: BAE Systems, emp: technology group, Frazer-Nash Consultancy, Loughborough University Sports Technology Institute, the Sport and Exercise Science Department at Portsmouth University, the Centre for Sport and Engineering Science at Sheffield Hallam University, TotalSim and the Wolfson Unit.
24 March 2008
Singapore sets up organising committee for first Youth Olympics
Singapore sets up organising committee for first Youth Olympics@CNA
SINGAPORE: Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan on Monday appointed Ng Ser Miang as the chairman of the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC) Board.
Mr Ng is the International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive board member in Singapore.
The organising committee for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in 2010 is set up with its 22-member SYOGOC board, an inter-ministry committee and a panel of advisors.
SINGAPORE: Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan on Monday appointed Ng Ser Miang as the chairman of the Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC) Board.
Mr Ng is the International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive board member in Singapore.
The organising committee for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in 2010 is set up with its 22-member SYOGOC board, an inter-ministry committee and a panel of advisors.
11 March 2008
doping to enhance academic performance?
Brain Enhancement Is Wrong, Right?@NY times
In a recent commentary in the journal Nature, two Cambridge University researchers reported that about a dozen of their colleagues had admitted to regular use of prescription drugs like Adderall, a stimulant, and Provigil, which promotes wakefulness, to improve their academic performance. The former is approved to treat attention deficit disorder, the latter narcolepsy, and both are considered more effective, and more widely available, than the drugs circulating in dorms a generation ago.
In a recent commentary in the journal Nature, two Cambridge University researchers reported that about a dozen of their colleagues had admitted to regular use of prescription drugs like Adderall, a stimulant, and Provigil, which promotes wakefulness, to improve their academic performance. The former is approved to treat attention deficit disorder, the latter narcolepsy, and both are considered more effective, and more widely available, than the drugs circulating in dorms a generation ago.
NZ Coach Grants
SPARC invests $600,000 into NZ’s top coaches@SPARC
Many of the Coach Performance Enhancement Grants (CPEG) recipients were part time coaches with regular jobs who had to give up their personal time to coach athletes. Balancing both roles can be pretty challenging, so these grants allow us to purchase more of a coach’s time (off employers) which ultimately gives their athletes more chance of success.
Many of the Coach Performance Enhancement Grants (CPEG) recipients were part time coaches with regular jobs who had to give up their personal time to coach athletes. Balancing both roles can be pretty challenging, so these grants allow us to purchase more of a coach’s time (off employers) which ultimately gives their athletes more chance of success.
24 February 2008
Singapore Sports School as a long term athlete development model
Sports school to expose young athletes to high-level competitions@CNA
Two years to go before the Youth Olympic Games, but the Singapore Sports School said it would not be increasing training sessions for its athletes.
Singapore Sports School will not be intensifying training sessions beyond the current six to ten times a week as the athletes are still very young.
Singapore Sports School website
Two years to go before the Youth Olympic Games, but the Singapore Sports School said it would not be increasing training sessions for its athletes.
Singapore Sports School will not be intensifying training sessions beyond the current six to ten times a week as the athletes are still very young.
Singapore Sports School website
22 February 2008
21 February 2008
17 February 2008
21 February 2008 announcement of 2010 YOG host city
21 February 2008: announcement ceremony of 2010 Youth Olympic Games@IOC
Moscow and Singapore finalists for 1st ever Summer Youth Olympic Games
Out of a list of nine candidates,* Moscow and Singapore have been chosen as the finalists for the election of the Host City of the 1st ever Summer Youth Olympic Games to be held in 2010. Their names, together with the evaluation report, have been be submitted to the IOC members for a postal vote. The winning city will be announced by IOC President Jacques Rogge in a live web cast on www.olympic.org on Thursday 21 February 2008 from the Olympic Museum in Lausanne.
More information on
Moscow's candidature
Singapore's candidature
Moscow and Singapore finalists for 1st ever Summer Youth Olympic Games
Out of a list of nine candidates,* Moscow and Singapore have been chosen as the finalists for the election of the Host City of the 1st ever Summer Youth Olympic Games to be held in 2010. Their names, together with the evaluation report, have been be submitted to the IOC members for a postal vote. The winning city will be announced by IOC President Jacques Rogge in a live web cast on www.olympic.org on Thursday 21 February 2008 from the Olympic Museum in Lausanne.
More information on
Moscow's candidature
Singapore's candidature
12 February 2008
new Speedo swim suit using NASA technology
Speedo launches 'space age' swim suit@AOC
Speedo has harnessed the expertise of the United States space agency NASA amongst a number of international research institutes to create the SPEEDO LZR RACER® - which independent testing has shown to be the world’s fastest swimsuit.
Made from an ultra lightweight, low drag, water repellent, fast drying fabric, unique to Speedo, called LZR PULSE, the LZR RACER is the world’s first fully bonded swimsuit that is ultrasonically welded and gives the effect of no seams at all.
Speedo has harnessed the expertise of the United States space agency NASA amongst a number of international research institutes to create the SPEEDO LZR RACER® - which independent testing has shown to be the world’s fastest swimsuit.
Made from an ultra lightweight, low drag, water repellent, fast drying fabric, unique to Speedo, called LZR PULSE, the LZR RACER is the world’s first fully bonded swimsuit that is ultrasonically welded and gives the effect of no seams at all.
Sports Science Journal@Jan-Feb08
This is this month's sports science journal update.
---
Jan-Feb 08
Coaching
Effects of acute exercise on executive processing, short-term and long-term memory. JSS
Determinants of 800-m and 1500-m Running Performance Using Allometric Models. MSSE
Relationship of Training versus Echocardiographic Parameters to Competitive Results in Distance Running. IJSM
Role of muscle mass on sprint performance: gender differences? EJAP
Factors affecting peak performance in the swimming competition of the Athens Olympic Games. JSMPF
Specific inspiratory muscle warm-up enhances badminton footwork performance. APNM
Strength & Conditioning
Block periodization versus traditional training theory: a review. JSMPF
The use of various strength-power tests as predictors of sprint running performance. JSMPF
Chin-up strength tests: does stature matter? JSMPF
Physiology
History of developments in sport and exercise physiology: A. V. Hill, maximal oxygen uptake, and oxygen debt. JSS
Twenty-five years of sport performance research in the Journal of Sports Sciences. JSS
Perception of Fatigue during Simulated Competition. MSSE
Influence of Instructions on Perceptually-Based Ratings. IJSM
Training Induced Changes in Maximum Heart Rate. IJSM
Validity of the Polar S810 to Measure R-R Intervals in Children. IJSM
Effect of hydrotherapy on the signs and symptoms of delayed onset muscle soreness . EJAP
Changes in the haemostatic system after thermoneutral and hyperthermic water immersion. EJAP
Validity of a Swimming Snorkel for Metabolic Testing. IJSM
Time Limit at V•O2max Velocity in Elite Crawl Swimmers. IJSM
Physiological Responses to Exercise at Altitude: An Update. SM
The effect of intermittent hypobaric hypoxic exposure and sea level training on submaximal economy in well-trained swimmers and runners. JAP
The Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test: A Useful Tool for Evaluation of Physical Performance in Intermittent Sports. SM
Contrasting Influences of Age and Sex on Muscle Fatigue. MSSE
Sympathetic cardiovascular control during orthostatic stress and isometric exercise in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome. EJAP
Quadriceps Oxygenation during Isometric Exercise in Sailing. IJSM
Heat stress in sport—Fact and fiction. JSMS
A modern classification of the exercise-related heat illnesses. JSMS
Physiological limits to exercise performance in the heat. JSMS
The effect of the Ramadan fast on physical performance and dietary habits in adolescent soccer players. EJAP
Nutrition
Weight Control Strategies of Olympic Athletes Striving for Leanness: What Can be Done to Make Sport a Safer Environment? CJSM
Nutritional Supplementation and Anabolic Steroid Use in Adolescents. MSSE
Validation of a Personal Fluid Loss Monitor. IJSM
Biomechanics
Contributions of upper limb rotations to racket velocity in table tennis backhands against topspin and backspin. JSS
Sports Medicine
Kinematics of Ankle Taping after a Training Session. IJSM
Epidemiology of knee injuries among adolescents: a systematic review. BJSM
Physical examination tests of the shoulder: a systematic review with meta-analysis of individual tests. BJSM
Predicting Return to Sprinting after Acute Hamstring Strains. CJSM
Head and Neck Position Sense. SM
Psychology
Twenty-five years of psychology in the Journal of Sports Sciences: A historical overview. JSS
Evaluation on the effects of relaxing music on the recovery from aerobic exercise-induced fatigue. JSMPF
College athletes' perceptions of social support provided by their coach before injury and after it. JSMPF
On the temporal and behavioural consistency of pre-performance routines: An intra-individual analysis of elite basketball players' free throw shooting accuracy. JSS
Talent ID
ACTN3 genotype in professional soccer players. BJSM
---
---
Jan-Feb 08
Coaching
Effects of acute exercise on executive processing, short-term and long-term memory. JSS
Determinants of 800-m and 1500-m Running Performance Using Allometric Models. MSSE
Relationship of Training versus Echocardiographic Parameters to Competitive Results in Distance Running. IJSM
Role of muscle mass on sprint performance: gender differences? EJAP
Factors affecting peak performance in the swimming competition of the Athens Olympic Games. JSMPF
Specific inspiratory muscle warm-up enhances badminton footwork performance. APNM
Strength & Conditioning
Block periodization versus traditional training theory: a review. JSMPF
The use of various strength-power tests as predictors of sprint running performance. JSMPF
Chin-up strength tests: does stature matter? JSMPF
Physiology
History of developments in sport and exercise physiology: A. V. Hill, maximal oxygen uptake, and oxygen debt. JSS
Twenty-five years of sport performance research in the Journal of Sports Sciences. JSS
Perception of Fatigue during Simulated Competition. MSSE
Influence of Instructions on Perceptually-Based Ratings. IJSM
Training Induced Changes in Maximum Heart Rate. IJSM
Validity of the Polar S810 to Measure R-R Intervals in Children. IJSM
Effect of hydrotherapy on the signs and symptoms of delayed onset muscle soreness . EJAP
Changes in the haemostatic system after thermoneutral and hyperthermic water immersion. EJAP
Validity of a Swimming Snorkel for Metabolic Testing. IJSM
Time Limit at V•O2max Velocity in Elite Crawl Swimmers. IJSM
Physiological Responses to Exercise at Altitude: An Update. SM
The effect of intermittent hypobaric hypoxic exposure and sea level training on submaximal economy in well-trained swimmers and runners. JAP
The Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test: A Useful Tool for Evaluation of Physical Performance in Intermittent Sports. SM
Contrasting Influences of Age and Sex on Muscle Fatigue. MSSE
Sympathetic cardiovascular control during orthostatic stress and isometric exercise in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome. EJAP
Quadriceps Oxygenation during Isometric Exercise in Sailing. IJSM
Heat stress in sport—Fact and fiction. JSMS
A modern classification of the exercise-related heat illnesses. JSMS
Physiological limits to exercise performance in the heat. JSMS
The effect of the Ramadan fast on physical performance and dietary habits in adolescent soccer players. EJAP
Nutrition
Weight Control Strategies of Olympic Athletes Striving for Leanness: What Can be Done to Make Sport a Safer Environment? CJSM
Nutritional Supplementation and Anabolic Steroid Use in Adolescents. MSSE
Validation of a Personal Fluid Loss Monitor. IJSM
Biomechanics
Contributions of upper limb rotations to racket velocity in table tennis backhands against topspin and backspin. JSS
Sports Medicine
Kinematics of Ankle Taping after a Training Session. IJSM
Epidemiology of knee injuries among adolescents: a systematic review. BJSM
Physical examination tests of the shoulder: a systematic review with meta-analysis of individual tests. BJSM
Predicting Return to Sprinting after Acute Hamstring Strains. CJSM
Head and Neck Position Sense. SM
Psychology
Twenty-five years of psychology in the Journal of Sports Sciences: A historical overview. JSS
Evaluation on the effects of relaxing music on the recovery from aerobic exercise-induced fatigue. JSMPF
College athletes' perceptions of social support provided by their coach before injury and after it. JSMPF
On the temporal and behavioural consistency of pre-performance routines: An intra-individual analysis of elite basketball players' free throw shooting accuracy. JSS
Talent ID
ACTN3 genotype in professional soccer players. BJSM
---
09 February 2008
The Age of Exhaustion in world records?
Stuck records@times online
According to a study conducted at France’s biomedical and epidemiological institute of sport (Irmes), which analysed 3,260 world records going back to the first modern Olympics in 1896, humans have reached their physiological limits, and after the year 2060, there will be no more world records.
Based on its analyses, Toussaint’s team predicts that in most of the quantifiable Olympic sports, the era of world records is drawing to a close. “We started our study in 1896, when we estimate people were operating at 75% of their physiological capacity. We are now at 99%. When we say there will be no more world records after 2060, it should not be forgotten that in about half of the events, there will be no world records after 2027.”
According to a study conducted at France’s biomedical and epidemiological institute of sport (Irmes), which analysed 3,260 world records going back to the first modern Olympics in 1896, humans have reached their physiological limits, and after the year 2060, there will be no more world records.
Based on its analyses, Toussaint’s team predicts that in most of the quantifiable Olympic sports, the era of world records is drawing to a close. “We started our study in 1896, when we estimate people were operating at 75% of their physiological capacity. We are now at 99%. When we say there will be no more world records after 2060, it should not be forgotten that in about half of the events, there will be no world records after 2027.”
31 January 2008
Japan National Training Center (NTC) opens
New training center fuels dreams of gold@asahi
The NTC's total cost, including expenses to purchase the land site, was about 37.4 billion yen, according to the sports ministry.
The indoor training facility can be used by athletes in up to 10 sports, from gymnastics and judo to table tennis.
The judo facility is twice the size of the famed Kodokan, the headquarters of judo in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward. The NTC facility has about 1,000 tatami mats.
Each practice facility has video cameras in place so athletes and coaches can later review their techniques.
The tennis courts use the same surfaces in stadiums hosting the U.S. and French Opens.
The outdoor training facility, featuring a 400-meter track, was completed in January 2007.
The JOC will operate an elite academy to foster young athletes into those capable of competing at the international level.
Table tennis and wrestling will join the academy project from April.
Six table tennis players and three wrestlers, all still in junior high school, will live and train at the NTC while attending a nearby school.
The NTC's total cost, including expenses to purchase the land site, was about 37.4 billion yen, according to the sports ministry.
The indoor training facility can be used by athletes in up to 10 sports, from gymnastics and judo to table tennis.
The judo facility is twice the size of the famed Kodokan, the headquarters of judo in Tokyo's Bunkyo Ward. The NTC facility has about 1,000 tatami mats.
Each practice facility has video cameras in place so athletes and coaches can later review their techniques.
The tennis courts use the same surfaces in stadiums hosting the U.S. and French Opens.
The outdoor training facility, featuring a 400-meter track, was completed in January 2007.
The JOC will operate an elite academy to foster young athletes into those capable of competing at the international level.
Table tennis and wrestling will join the academy project from April.
Six table tennis players and three wrestlers, all still in junior high school, will live and train at the NTC while attending a nearby school.
21 January 2008
plan for Singapore Sports Hub
Singapore Sports Hub Consortium, Led By Dragages Singapore Pte Ltd, Selected as Preferred Bidder For Sports Hub Project@SSC
Located on a 35ha site in Kallang, the Sports Hub will include the following facilities:
• A new 55,000-capacity National Stadium with a retractable roof;
• A 6,000-capacity indoor Aquatic Centre that meets world tournament standards;
• A 3,000-capacity multi-purpose arena which will be scalable and flexible in layout;
• 41,000 sq m of commercial space
• A Water Sports Centre
• The existing 12,000-capacity Singapore Indoor Stadium; and
• Supporting leisure and commercial developments
With its world-class facilities, the Sports Hub will be the Centre for Singapore's elite athletes and high performance management as well as an ideal location for sports and entertainment events, sports administration, and sports and recreation businesses.
It will help to create a critical mass of international, regional and local sports federations and associations, sports medicine and sports science service providers, sports related training and education service providers, sports companies' sales and marketing headquarters, and retail outlets.
02 January 2008
Playing sports, Wii Sports or XBOX 360 for energy expenditure
Comparison of energy expenditure in adolescents when playing new generation and sedentary computer games: cross sectional study@pubmed
An interesting study of Liverpool John Moores University was conducted to compare the energy expenditure of adolescents when playing sedentary (XBOX 360) and new generation active computer games (Wii Sports).
Mean (standard deviation) predicted energy expenditure when playing Wii Sports bowling (190.6 (22.2) kJ/kg/min), tennis (202.5 (31.5) kJ/kg/min), and boxing (198.1 (33.9) kJ/kg/min) was significantly greater than when playing sedentary games XBOX 360 (125.5 (13.7) kJ/kg/min) (P<0.001).
However,
the energy used when playing active Wii Sports games was not of high enough intensity to contribute towards the recommended daily amount of exercise in children.
An interesting study of Liverpool John Moores University was conducted to compare the energy expenditure of adolescents when playing sedentary (XBOX 360) and new generation active computer games (Wii Sports).
Mean (standard deviation) predicted energy expenditure when playing Wii Sports bowling (190.6 (22.2) kJ/kg/min), tennis (202.5 (31.5) kJ/kg/min), and boxing (198.1 (33.9) kJ/kg/min) was significantly greater than when playing sedentary games XBOX 360 (125.5 (13.7) kJ/kg/min) (P<0.001).
However,
the energy used when playing active Wii Sports games was not of high enough intensity to contribute towards the recommended daily amount of exercise in children.
28 December 2007
Australian Recovery Centre facilities in Beijing
Fitness First for Olympic Team@AOC
The Fitness First Recovery Centre facilities in Beijing include:
- 25 metre pool for standard pool recovery, rehabilitation, water running, swimming, and water polo drills.
- Cold water immersion area
- Strength and Conditioning / stretching area
- Massage
- Nutrition Bar
- Relaxation / Video / Music / Media area
- State-of-art exercise machines / equipment / fully equipped gym facilities.
The Fitness First Recovery Centre facilities in Beijing include:
- 25 metre pool for standard pool recovery, rehabilitation, water running, swimming, and water polo drills.
- Cold water immersion area
- Strength and Conditioning / stretching area
- Massage
- Nutrition Bar
- Relaxation / Video / Music / Media area
- State-of-art exercise machines / equipment / fully equipped gym facilities.
AOC preparation for Beijing Olympics
Looking for an Edge in Beijing@AOC
An illustrious panel of medical and sports science specialists gathered in Sydney in November to share their knowledge on heat & humidity, air quality, health and hygiene with representatives from all Olympic sports to assist Australian athletes have an edge in August 2008.
August temperatures in Beijing are generally above thirty degrees Celsius with humidity around 50 percent.
Matt Brearly from the Northern Territory Institute of Sport NTIS spoke on acclimitisation and monitoring athletes’ core body temperatures.
Brearly traveled to Beijing with the Australian Hockey teams in August this year for their test events. The athletes took capsules to record their core body temperature. The use of baths, cooling jackets and other procedures were all tested.
Brearly stressed the importance of using the Australian summer to test procedures in the lead up to the Games. He also explained that a minimum of seven days was required to physiologically acclimatise to conditions but mentally it could take longer depending on the individual athletes.
As well as acclimatisation plans the testing of sweat levels, hydration requirements and exercise induced asthma were all discussed.
Training in the morning would also be beneficial in Beijing.
An illustrious panel of medical and sports science specialists gathered in Sydney in November to share their knowledge on heat & humidity, air quality, health and hygiene with representatives from all Olympic sports to assist Australian athletes have an edge in August 2008.
August temperatures in Beijing are generally above thirty degrees Celsius with humidity around 50 percent.
Matt Brearly from the Northern Territory Institute of Sport NTIS spoke on acclimitisation and monitoring athletes’ core body temperatures.
Brearly traveled to Beijing with the Australian Hockey teams in August this year for their test events. The athletes took capsules to record their core body temperature. The use of baths, cooling jackets and other procedures were all tested.
Brearly stressed the importance of using the Australian summer to test procedures in the lead up to the Games. He also explained that a minimum of seven days was required to physiologically acclimatise to conditions but mentally it could take longer depending on the individual athletes.
As well as acclimatisation plans the testing of sweat levels, hydration requirements and exercise induced asthma were all discussed.
Training in the morning would also be beneficial in Beijing.
Singapore talent ID and development programme
4 new sports academies to identify, develop talents from primary school@CNA
SINGAPORE : In a boost for sports in Singapore, the Ministry of Education (MOE) said it will start identifying and developing talented athletes at an early stage - at primary 5 and 6 levels.
Those selected will then be trained in four new Junior Sports Academies which will be set up by next year.
The MOE said the move is essential for long-term success. However, it acknowledged that such talent-spotting should not be limiting, especially when young ones are concerned.
The Minister of State for Education, Lui Tuck Yew, said: "We will identify two groups of athletes, with the first group comprising athletes who are already excelling in their respective sports and the second group are those who may not necessarily play the sport, but are deemed to have the potential to do well in it.
"A multi-pronged approach based on competition results, scouting, nomination by schools and NAPFA Test results will be used to identify the athletes for the selection trials."
These students will then be trained at four centralised Junior Sports Academies, housed in selected schools islandwide.
For a start, there will be four such academies per zone - the academies for netball, swimming, table-tennis, track & field at the Singapore Sports School in the north, a table-tennis academy at the Singapore Table-Tennis Association in the south, a wushu academy at Chung Cheng High Main in the eastern part of Singapore and a badminton academy at Henry Park Primary School in the west.
280 students will attend these academies next year. Of these, the first selection for the wushu and badminton academies has already been made.
"They will have the privilege of receiving expertise from professional coaches... Primary school students from various parts of Singapore will be able to receive quality training," said Ng Teng Joo, principal of Henry Park Primary School.
There will be two to four training sessions each week at the Junior Sports Academies outside of school hours, depending on the sport chosen. Each training session will last about two hours.
To prevent any sort of conflict, a sports manager will be appointed to ensure that there's a fine balance between the sporting and academic development of these selected students.
This pilot scheme comes under a new Talent Development Framework. If the pilot scheme works, more academies catering to more sports could eventually be set up.
The MOE said it is looking at as many as 16 academies for an estimated 1,000 athletes in primary 5 and 6.
SINGAPORE : In a boost for sports in Singapore, the Ministry of Education (MOE) said it will start identifying and developing talented athletes at an early stage - at primary 5 and 6 levels.
Those selected will then be trained in four new Junior Sports Academies which will be set up by next year.
The MOE said the move is essential for long-term success. However, it acknowledged that such talent-spotting should not be limiting, especially when young ones are concerned.
The Minister of State for Education, Lui Tuck Yew, said: "We will identify two groups of athletes, with the first group comprising athletes who are already excelling in their respective sports and the second group are those who may not necessarily play the sport, but are deemed to have the potential to do well in it.
"A multi-pronged approach based on competition results, scouting, nomination by schools and NAPFA Test results will be used to identify the athletes for the selection trials."
These students will then be trained at four centralised Junior Sports Academies, housed in selected schools islandwide.
For a start, there will be four such academies per zone - the academies for netball, swimming, table-tennis, track & field at the Singapore Sports School in the north, a table-tennis academy at the Singapore Table-Tennis Association in the south, a wushu academy at Chung Cheng High Main in the eastern part of Singapore and a badminton academy at Henry Park Primary School in the west.
280 students will attend these academies next year. Of these, the first selection for the wushu and badminton academies has already been made.
"They will have the privilege of receiving expertise from professional coaches... Primary school students from various parts of Singapore will be able to receive quality training," said Ng Teng Joo, principal of Henry Park Primary School.
There will be two to four training sessions each week at the Junior Sports Academies outside of school hours, depending on the sport chosen. Each training session will last about two hours.
To prevent any sort of conflict, a sports manager will be appointed to ensure that there's a fine balance between the sporting and academic development of these selected students.
This pilot scheme comes under a new Talent Development Framework. If the pilot scheme works, more academies catering to more sports could eventually be set up.
The MOE said it is looking at as many as 16 academies for an estimated 1,000 athletes in primary 5 and 6.
2 major sporting events for Singapore in 2008
2008 to be a busy year for sports in Singapore@CNA
The Singapore F1 Grand Prix will be the world's first night street race and work has already begun on all fronts – from track layout to ticketing and hospitality.
Another widely-anticipated event in 2008 is the announcement of the winning bid for the new sports hub, which will replace the National Stadium.
The Singapore F1 Grand Prix will be the world's first night street race and work has already begun on all fronts – from track layout to ticketing and hospitality.
Another widely-anticipated event in 2008 is the announcement of the winning bid for the new sports hub, which will replace the National Stadium.
30 November 2007
Britain's plan for Beijing Olympics: Macau holding camp
PLANNING FOR THE BIGGEST EVENT OF ALL@EIS
In the lead up to Beijing next year, there will be a multisport holding camp in Macau with most of Britain’s Olympic sports including Hockey, Judo, Archery and Athletics based there. However some sports have different training requirements, so we arrange slightly different bases for them.
For example, Equestrian only move their horses once, so they will go straight to Hong Kong, where their competition is taking place and be with their horses for the whole duration. Triathlon will be based in JeJu Island, in South Korea so they can get the right cycle training facilities, as well as the swimming and running. Rowing and Canoe Slalom will actually be doing their final preparation training on the Olympic Competition Venues, so they will have their Holding Camp based around those sites.
Flying the athletes to the holding camps at least 7 days before the Games will help give them enough time to recover from the travel. For athletes based in Macau, the flight to Beijing is only 3hours and in the afternoon, so should have very little impact.
In the lead up to Beijing next year, there will be a multisport holding camp in Macau with most of Britain’s Olympic sports including Hockey, Judo, Archery and Athletics based there. However some sports have different training requirements, so we arrange slightly different bases for them.
For example, Equestrian only move their horses once, so they will go straight to Hong Kong, where their competition is taking place and be with their horses for the whole duration. Triathlon will be based in JeJu Island, in South Korea so they can get the right cycle training facilities, as well as the swimming and running. Rowing and Canoe Slalom will actually be doing their final preparation training on the Olympic Competition Venues, so they will have their Holding Camp based around those sites.
Flying the athletes to the holding camps at least 7 days before the Games will help give them enough time to recover from the travel. For athletes based in Macau, the flight to Beijing is only 3hours and in the afternoon, so should have very little impact.
26 November 2007
NZ high performance funding
SPARC Announces $4.9 Million Investment In High Performance Sport@SPARC
SPARC (Sport & Recreation New Zealand) today announced that it will invest $4.9 million in the high performance projects of 15 different sports in 2008 and beyond.
SPARC invests an additional $11 million in the high performance programmes of nine targeted sports. Those sports include cycling, rowing, swimming and athletics, among others.
SPARC (Sport & Recreation New Zealand) today announced that it will invest $4.9 million in the high performance projects of 15 different sports in 2008 and beyond.
SPARC invests an additional $11 million in the high performance programmes of nine targeted sports. Those sports include cycling, rowing, swimming and athletics, among others.
14 November 2007
European training centre for Australian athletes
The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) has signed a formal agreement with the Varese Provincial Government to finalise a contract for the construction of a European Training Centre (ETC) for Australian athletes@sports vine
The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) has signed a formal agreement with the Varese Provincial Government to finalise a contract for the construction of a European Training Centre (ETC) for Australian athletes.
The Centre will be used by Australian athletes and teams in preparing for elite competition like the 2012 London Olympics.
The Australian Government, through the Australian Sports Commission, has committed $11million towards the establishment and operation of the European Training Centre at Gavirate, on the shores of Lake Varese in northern Italy.
This will provide AIS and Australian athletes with access to the same world's best Australian sports science and sports medicine advice and services that they currently enjoy in Australia.
The Australian Sports Commission (ASC) has signed a formal agreement with the Varese Provincial Government to finalise a contract for the construction of a European Training Centre (ETC) for Australian athletes.
The Centre will be used by Australian athletes and teams in preparing for elite competition like the 2012 London Olympics.
The Australian Government, through the Australian Sports Commission, has committed $11million towards the establishment and operation of the European Training Centre at Gavirate, on the shores of Lake Varese in northern Italy.
This will provide AIS and Australian athletes with access to the same world's best Australian sports science and sports medicine advice and services that they currently enjoy in Australia.
10 November 2007
physical exercise or brain exercise?
Exercise on the Brain@NYT
One form of training has been shown to maintain and improve brain health — physical exercise. In humans, exercise improves what scientists call “executive function,” the set of abilities that allows you to select behavior that’s appropriate to the situation, inhibit inappropriate behavior and focus on the job at hand in spite of distractions. Executive function includes basic functions like processing speed, response speed and working memory, the type used to remember a house number while walking from the car to a party.
One form of training has been shown to maintain and improve brain health — physical exercise. In humans, exercise improves what scientists call “executive function,” the set of abilities that allows you to select behavior that’s appropriate to the situation, inhibit inappropriate behavior and focus on the job at hand in spite of distractions. Executive function includes basic functions like processing speed, response speed and working memory, the type used to remember a house number while walking from the car to a party.
31 October 2007
World Cup Swimming @ Singapore
Over the last weekend, I was supporting Singapore national swimmers for FINA/ARENA World Cup Swimming held in our school. We did post-race lactate recovery testing for the swimmers to find out whether their cool down was sufficient for them to prepare for next events.
22 October 2007
keywords of Beijing preparation of UK team
PLANNING AND PREPARATION KEY@EIS
*smog and pollution
*travel and cultural differences
*morning finals for the swimmers
*smog and pollution
*travel and cultural differences
*morning finals for the swimmers
16 October 2007
Singapore Youth Olympic Games 2010 website
Singapore's Youth Olympic Games Committee launches logo, website@CNA
Singapore is cranking up the publicity for its bid to host the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in 2010.
With less than ten days left before the official bid document is submitted on 26 October, a website and logo were unveiled on Tuesday to rally the whole nation to support the bid.
One of the ways to reach out to Singaporeans at home and abroad is through a video, which showcases Singapore's vibrancy and diversity, on popular website YouTube.
official website
Singapore is cranking up the publicity for its bid to host the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in 2010.
With less than ten days left before the official bid document is submitted on 26 October, a website and logo were unveiled on Tuesday to rally the whole nation to support the bid.
One of the ways to reach out to Singaporeans at home and abroad is through a video, which showcases Singapore's vibrancy and diversity, on popular website YouTube.
official website
10 October 2007
we will have a new principal at Singapore Sports School
RGS principal appointed as new head of Singapore Sports School@CNA
Raffles Girls' Secondary School principal Mrs Deborah Tan has been appointed the new head of the Singapore Sports School, effective January 1 next year.
The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports said the 48-year-old is a keen sportswoman, who represented Raffles Girls' combined schools and the National University of Singapore in softball during her school days.
The current Sports School principal Mr Moo Soon Chong will remain as consultant until his retirement next April.
Raffles Girls' Secondary School principal Mrs Deborah Tan has been appointed the new head of the Singapore Sports School, effective January 1 next year.
The Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports said the 48-year-old is a keen sportswoman, who represented Raffles Girls' combined schools and the National University of Singapore in softball during her school days.
The current Sports School principal Mr Moo Soon Chong will remain as consultant until his retirement next April.
from youth development to high performance at Singapore Sports School
SBA to move headquarters to Singapore Sports School@CNA
The Singapore Sports School's Badminton Academy ensures a higher level of coaching and development, and offers the best shuttlers a smooth transition into the national youth and senior squads. Sports School students will also benefit by training with the national players.
Dr Balakrishnan added the SBA is developing plans to place more emphasis on youth development by training a select team to prepare for the inaugural Youth Olympics Games in 2010.
The Singapore Sports School's Badminton Academy ensures a higher level of coaching and development, and offers the best shuttlers a smooth transition into the national youth and senior squads. Sports School students will also benefit by training with the national players.
Dr Balakrishnan added the SBA is developing plans to place more emphasis on youth development by training a select team to prepare for the inaugural Youth Olympics Games in 2010.
08 October 2007
Australia will bring over 70 medical staff in Beijing Olympics
Medical team to give Australia the 'edge'@AOC
The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) will take over 70 medical specialists to next year’s Olympics in Beijing. Their intention…. to provide the best possible health care for the Australia’s athletes and give our Team the edge over the opposition.
Particular emphasis will be placed on providing the best methods to cope with heat stress and respiratory problems during competition.
To compliment the medical strategy the AOC has also leased a Beijing school where they will establish a recovery centre with swimming pools, ice baths, massage and full gym facilities.
The Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) will take over 70 medical specialists to next year’s Olympics in Beijing. Their intention…. to provide the best possible health care for the Australia’s athletes and give our Team the edge over the opposition.
Particular emphasis will be placed on providing the best methods to cope with heat stress and respiratory problems during competition.
To compliment the medical strategy the AOC has also leased a Beijing school where they will establish a recovery centre with swimming pools, ice baths, massage and full gym facilities.
05 October 2007
04 October 2007
UK Sport podcast
Olympic legend stars in first UK Sport podcast
Double Olympic champion Edwin Moses, British taekwondo star Sarah Stevenson and Chelsea Warr, architect of the Sporting Giants Talent Identification Scheme, all feature in the first UK Sport Podcast which is published today. The Podcast is the latest exciting development in UK Sport’s web-based communications strategy.
Double Olympic champion Edwin Moses, British taekwondo star Sarah Stevenson and Chelsea Warr, architect of the Sporting Giants Talent Identification Scheme, all feature in the first UK Sport Podcast which is published today. The Podcast is the latest exciting development in UK Sport’s web-based communications strategy.
28 September 2007
BASES position stand on genetic research and testing
Scientists Highlight Benefits Of Genetic Research In Sport, But Warn Of Ethical Concerns, UK@medical news today
Genetic research into athletic ability should be encouraged for its potential benefits in both sport and public health, a leading group of scientists meeting at the University of Bath said recently.
They highlight two dangers of genetic performance tests. Firstly, genetic performance tests might later be linked to disease. For example, a muscle growth gene may later be linked to cancer growth.
Secondly, genetic performance tests can be performed even before birth and this may lead to the selection of foetuses or to abortions based on athletic potential.
The report recommends that genetic testing should be used for anti-doping testing as long as the genetic samples are destroyed after testing.
Click here to read the executive summary or the whole position stand
Genetic research into athletic ability should be encouraged for its potential benefits in both sport and public health, a leading group of scientists meeting at the University of Bath said recently.
They highlight two dangers of genetic performance tests. Firstly, genetic performance tests might later be linked to disease. For example, a muscle growth gene may later be linked to cancer growth.
Secondly, genetic performance tests can be performed even before birth and this may lead to the selection of foetuses or to abortions based on athletic potential.
The report recommends that genetic testing should be used for anti-doping testing as long as the genetic samples are destroyed after testing.
Click here to read the executive summary or the whole position stand
technology development for coaches
Advanced Technologies Aim to Transform the Coaching of Top Athletes@EPSRC
The SESAME (Sensing for Sport and Managed Exercise) project is developing innovative video and body sensor technologies designed to aid the training of both novice and elite athletes. The aim is to combine these technologies into a unique, integrated computer system that substantially increases the quantity and variety of data available to coaches during training sessions.
The system will produce simultaneous shots from multiple video cameras located in different positions that can autonomously track a moving athlete and then transmit pictures to the coach for near-instant, slow motion replay.
In addition, the project is developing on-body sensors that will use small, low-power electronics which exploit recent advances in wireless communications to collect data about arm angle, knee lift, body lean etc.
The 4-year SESAME initiative is due to run until 2010 and received EPSRC funding of £2,910,272.
The SESAME (Sensing for Sport and Managed Exercise) project is developing innovative video and body sensor technologies designed to aid the training of both novice and elite athletes. The aim is to combine these technologies into a unique, integrated computer system that substantially increases the quantity and variety of data available to coaches during training sessions.
The system will produce simultaneous shots from multiple video cameras located in different positions that can autonomously track a moving athlete and then transmit pictures to the coach for near-instant, slow motion replay.
In addition, the project is developing on-body sensors that will use small, low-power electronics which exploit recent advances in wireless communications to collect data about arm angle, knee lift, body lean etc.
The 4-year SESAME initiative is due to run until 2010 and received EPSRC funding of £2,910,272.
15 September 2007
Singapore Coaches Day
Singapore Sports Council celebrates first Coaches Day@CNA
As coaches are integral to the success of athletes, Singapore has decided to celebrate these individuals on the second Friday of every September.
As coaches are integral to the success of athletes, Singapore has decided to celebrate these individuals on the second Friday of every September.
29 August 2007
link between exercise and intelligence
Lobes of Steel@New York Times
* Now an expanding body of research shows that exercise can improve the performance of the brain by boosting memory and cognitive processing speed. Exercise can, in fact, create a stronger, faster brain.
* This spring, neuroscientists at Columbia University in New York City published a study in which a group of men and women, ranging in age from 21 to 45, began working out for one hour four times a week. After 12 weeks, the test subjects, predictably, became more fit. Their VO2 max, the standard measure of how much oxygen a person takes in while exercising, rose significantly.
But something else happened as a result of all those workouts: blood flowed at a much higher volume to a part of the brain responsible for neurogenesis. Functional M.R.I.’s showed that a portion of each person’s hippocampus received almost twice the blood volume as it did before. Scientists suspect that the blood pumping into that part of the brain was helping to produce fresh neurons.
The Columbia study suggests that shrinkage to parts of the hippocampus can be slowed via exercise. The subjects showed significant improvements in memory, as measured by a word-recall test. Those with the biggest increases in VO2 max had the best scores of all.
* Other recent studies support this theory. At the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign, a group of elderly sedentary people were assigned to either an aerobic exercise program or a regimen of stretching. (The aerobic group walked for at least one hour three times a week.) After six months, their brains were scanned using an M.R.I. Those who had been doing aerobic exercise showed significant growth in several areas of the brain. These results raise the hope that the human brain has the capacity not only to produce new cells but also to add new blood vessels and strengthen neural connections, allowing young neurons to integrate themselves into the wider neural network. “The current findings are the first, to our knowledge, to confirm the benefits of exercise training on brain volume in aging humans,” the authors concluded.
* Other University of Illinois scientists have studied school-age children and found that those who have a higher level of aerobic fitness processed information more efficiently; they were quicker on a battery of computerized flashcard tests. The researchers also found that higher levels of aerobic fitness corresponded to better standardized test scores among a set of Illinois public school students. The scientists next plan to study how students’ scores change as their fitness improves.
* Now an expanding body of research shows that exercise can improve the performance of the brain by boosting memory and cognitive processing speed. Exercise can, in fact, create a stronger, faster brain.
* This spring, neuroscientists at Columbia University in New York City published a study in which a group of men and women, ranging in age from 21 to 45, began working out for one hour four times a week. After 12 weeks, the test subjects, predictably, became more fit. Their VO2 max, the standard measure of how much oxygen a person takes in while exercising, rose significantly.
But something else happened as a result of all those workouts: blood flowed at a much higher volume to a part of the brain responsible for neurogenesis. Functional M.R.I.’s showed that a portion of each person’s hippocampus received almost twice the blood volume as it did before. Scientists suspect that the blood pumping into that part of the brain was helping to produce fresh neurons.
The Columbia study suggests that shrinkage to parts of the hippocampus can be slowed via exercise. The subjects showed significant improvements in memory, as measured by a word-recall test. Those with the biggest increases in VO2 max had the best scores of all.
* Other recent studies support this theory. At the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign, a group of elderly sedentary people were assigned to either an aerobic exercise program or a regimen of stretching. (The aerobic group walked for at least one hour three times a week.) After six months, their brains were scanned using an M.R.I. Those who had been doing aerobic exercise showed significant growth in several areas of the brain. These results raise the hope that the human brain has the capacity not only to produce new cells but also to add new blood vessels and strengthen neural connections, allowing young neurons to integrate themselves into the wider neural network. “The current findings are the first, to our knowledge, to confirm the benefits of exercise training on brain volume in aging humans,” the authors concluded.
* Other University of Illinois scientists have studied school-age children and found that those who have a higher level of aerobic fitness processed information more efficiently; they were quicker on a battery of computerized flashcard tests. The researchers also found that higher levels of aerobic fitness corresponded to better standardized test scores among a set of Illinois public school students. The scientists next plan to study how students’ scores change as their fitness improves.
16 August 2007
New physical exercise guidelines
The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the American Heart Association (AHA) have updated physical activity guidelines. These guidelines outline exercise recommendations for healthy adults and older adults and are an update from the 1995 guidelines. Choose your category below, and find recommendations, research and tips from ACSM and AHA. Together, we are proud to serve as a public resource to help people live healthier, more active lives.
link
link
extreme cold for recovery
Ice-cold And In Great Shape: A Cold Kick To Jolt Athletes Into Action Despite The Heat@medical news today
For a few moments, scientists from Dortmund and Münster universities put more than 50 hobby and top athletes into a cryochamber with a temperature of minus 120 degrees. The first result: icy cold temperatures does lead test athletes to stay in optimal shape. The scientists will investigate how the application can be further improved by using other cooling methods such as cooling vests, cold air appliances, crushed ice or cold showers.
For this purpose, the test athletes stay in a polarium at minus 120 degree celsius for two and a half minutes, then do a endurance run at 90% of their maximum capacity. After only six months, the scientists noticed that the subjects' performance had considerably improved due to optimal blood circulation and better oxygen supply.
For a few moments, scientists from Dortmund and Münster universities put more than 50 hobby and top athletes into a cryochamber with a temperature of minus 120 degrees. The first result: icy cold temperatures does lead test athletes to stay in optimal shape. The scientists will investigate how the application can be further improved by using other cooling methods such as cooling vests, cold air appliances, crushed ice or cold showers.
For this purpose, the test athletes stay in a polarium at minus 120 degree celsius for two and a half minutes, then do a endurance run at 90% of their maximum capacity. After only six months, the scientists noticed that the subjects' performance had considerably improved due to optimal blood circulation and better oxygen supply.
13 August 2007
new doping test of autologous transfusion
New weapon in the fight against blood doping@play the game
Together with Australian colleagues, Jakob Mørkeberg, a doctoral student at Bispebjerg Hospital in Copenhagen, Denmark, is in the midst of developing a precise test to detect whether athletes have illegally doped themselves with their own blood.
In developing a test that can detect autologous transfusion, the researchers are working on four different test methods examining: blood parameters, total haemoglobin, gene-expression and membrane proteins.
"We’re on to something,” he said. “But I expect it will still require some work to reach our goal. We’ll know a lot more in three months when we report our results to WADA.”
Together with Australian colleagues, Jakob Mørkeberg, a doctoral student at Bispebjerg Hospital in Copenhagen, Denmark, is in the midst of developing a precise test to detect whether athletes have illegally doped themselves with their own blood.
In developing a test that can detect autologous transfusion, the researchers are working on four different test methods examining: blood parameters, total haemoglobin, gene-expression and membrane proteins.
"We’re on to something,” he said. “But I expect it will still require some work to reach our goal. We’ll know a lot more in three months when we report our results to WADA.”
10 August 2007
Singapore to bid for Youth Olympics Games 2010
Singapore to bid for inaugural Youth Olympics Games 2010@CNA
This will be a golden opportunity for Singapore to host talented young athletes from all over the world to celebrate diversity, friendship and hope for a better future through the promotion of the Olympic ideals. We believe our young, small, multicultural nation will be an ideal site to fulfil the objectives of the Youth Olympic Games as conceptualised by the IOC
03 August 2007
SPEEDO new swim suit
New Suit Makes Splash in Debut@Washington Post
Speedo began creating the suit two years ago, when it asked a small Italian fabric shop to experiment with weaving a combination of spandex and nylon yarn. The weave that resulted felt almost like a windbreaker when dry, and its performance during early testing stunned Speedo executives. The fabric, patented and dubbed LZR Pulse, weighed 70 percent less than other swimsuits but showed 15 percent better compression. It retained almost no water. Speedo's previous suit, the Fastskin, took 16 hours to dry after one hour in the water; the FS-Pro only needed 45 minutes.
Speedo began creating the suit two years ago, when it asked a small Italian fabric shop to experiment with weaving a combination of spandex and nylon yarn. The weave that resulted felt almost like a windbreaker when dry, and its performance during early testing stunned Speedo executives. The fabric, patented and dubbed LZR Pulse, weighed 70 percent less than other swimsuits but showed 15 percent better compression. It retained almost no water. Speedo's previous suit, the Fastskin, took 16 hours to dry after one hour in the water; the FS-Pro only needed 45 minutes.
02 August 2007
Malaysia talent ID programme
Bukit Jalil and Bandar Penawar schools urged to improve results@the star online
Malaysia’s two sports schools in Bukit Jalil and Bandar Penawar have been urged to improve their achievements and gain worldwide recognition as a model for academic and sporting excellence.
The Minister yesterday launched the School High Performance Sports Programme, which will target at identifying talented schoolchildren in the lower age groups and groom them into champions.
The programme is divided into three categories. The first involves strengthening the fabrics of the existing two sports schools and ensuring the three new schools to be built will also have good programmes in place, initiating exchange programmes with sports schools from other countries and finally a programme for schools at the grassroots level throughout Malaysia.
Hishammuddin said that for the moment eight sports would be selected to be the core sports under the programme.
They are artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, diving, hockey, athletics, sepaktakraw, badminton and football.
Malaysia’s two sports schools in Bukit Jalil and Bandar Penawar have been urged to improve their achievements and gain worldwide recognition as a model for academic and sporting excellence.
The Minister yesterday launched the School High Performance Sports Programme, which will target at identifying talented schoolchildren in the lower age groups and groom them into champions.
The programme is divided into three categories. The first involves strengthening the fabrics of the existing two sports schools and ensuring the three new schools to be built will also have good programmes in place, initiating exchange programmes with sports schools from other countries and finally a programme for schools at the grassroots level throughout Malaysia.
Hishammuddin said that for the moment eight sports would be selected to be the core sports under the programme.
They are artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, diving, hockey, athletics, sepaktakraw, badminton and football.
24 July 2007
SNS for sports scientists
iStadiais a social networking service (SNS) for sport and exercise professionals, businesses, participants, and enthusiasts.
My iStadia profile
My iStadia profile
08 July 2007
ITF lanches tennis icoach website
The International Tennis Federation today launched a new coaching
website called tennis icoach. The comprehensive Web site
is designed to deliver the very best tennis coaching and playing
information to tennis coaches, players and enthusiasts around the
world.
The tennis icoach website features many hours of exclusive video
footage taken of leading tennis coaches and experts presenting at ITF
Coaching seminars and workshops conducted around the world.
It includes a search engine that allows coaches to access hundreds of
articles produced by experts covering every aspect of teaching and
playing tennis. This includes tactics, biomechanics, psychology,
technique, conditioning, coach development, strokes, teaching
methodology and much more. Also included are 30+ specially designed
audio eLearning Modules with world renowned authorities.
website called tennis icoach. The comprehensive Web site
is designed to deliver the very best tennis coaching and playing
information to tennis coaches, players and enthusiasts around the
world.
The tennis icoach website features many hours of exclusive video
footage taken of leading tennis coaches and experts presenting at ITF
Coaching seminars and workshops conducted around the world.
It includes a search engine that allows coaches to access hundreds of
articles produced by experts covering every aspect of teaching and
playing tennis. This includes tactics, biomechanics, psychology,
technique, conditioning, coach development, strokes, teaching
methodology and much more. Also included are 30+ specially designed
audio eLearning Modules with world renowned authorities.
06 July 2007
IOC Youth Olympic Games in 2010
IOC Session: A “go” for Youth Olympic Games@IOC
The Youth Olympic Games aim :
- to bring together talented athletes from around the world to participate in high-level competitions;
- to run, alongside the sports element of the event, education programmes on; Olympic values, on the benefits of sport for a healthy lifestyle, the social values sport can deliver and on the dangers of doping and of training to excess and/or of inactivity.
- to use the latest communications channels to promote Olympic values and the spirit and essence embodied in the Youth Olympic Games.
Around 3,200 athletes for Summer Games and 1,000 athletes for Winter Games
The Youth Olympic Games – age group 14 to 18 - will bring together approximately 3,200 athletes and 800 officials for the Summer Games and 1,000 athletes and 580 officials for the Winter Games. The sports programme will encompass all sports on the programme of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and the 2012 Summer Games with a limited number of disciplines and events. Proposals from Sports Federations to integrate youth-driven disciplines that are not part of the Olympic Games may be accepted.
The Youth Olympic Games aim :
- to bring together talented athletes from around the world to participate in high-level competitions;
- to run, alongside the sports element of the event, education programmes on; Olympic values, on the benefits of sport for a healthy lifestyle, the social values sport can deliver and on the dangers of doping and of training to excess and/or of inactivity.
- to use the latest communications channels to promote Olympic values and the spirit and essence embodied in the Youth Olympic Games.
Around 3,200 athletes for Summer Games and 1,000 athletes for Winter Games
The Youth Olympic Games – age group 14 to 18 - will bring together approximately 3,200 athletes and 800 officials for the Summer Games and 1,000 athletes and 580 officials for the Winter Games. The sports programme will encompass all sports on the programme of the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and the 2012 Summer Games with a limited number of disciplines and events. Proposals from Sports Federations to integrate youth-driven disciplines that are not part of the Olympic Games may be accepted.
26 June 2007
physical demands on F1 drivers
Brains and brawn perfect formula for fastest men@The Australian
To control a Renault, Ferrari or Toyota at speeds in excess of 300kph around Albert Park, a driver needs four physical attributes.
The first is an aerobic capacity that enables him to perform for one hour and 40 minutes while his heart is pounding at about 180 beats per minute. David Coulthard, the oldest man on the Albert Park grid, has a resting rate of about 40 beats per minute, a figure normally associated with endurance cyclists and runners.
The second is neck strength, to withstand up to 25kg of sideways force, on every corner, through a 58-lap race. The third is sufficient strength through the arms and chest to control the wheel. The fourth is the leg power to provide 80kg downward pressure each time you brake.
Beyond this, however, a driver needs something else.
"It is not only the physical stress but the brain stress," Ceccarelli explained. "A driver's brain has to run faster than his car, which is more than 300kmh, with no rest. That makes this sport very difficult."
To control a Renault, Ferrari or Toyota at speeds in excess of 300kph around Albert Park, a driver needs four physical attributes.
The first is an aerobic capacity that enables him to perform for one hour and 40 minutes while his heart is pounding at about 180 beats per minute. David Coulthard, the oldest man on the Albert Park grid, has a resting rate of about 40 beats per minute, a figure normally associated with endurance cyclists and runners.
The second is neck strength, to withstand up to 25kg of sideways force, on every corner, through a 58-lap race. The third is sufficient strength through the arms and chest to control the wheel. The fourth is the leg power to provide 80kg downward pressure each time you brake.
Beyond this, however, a driver needs something else.
"It is not only the physical stress but the brain stress," Ceccarelli explained. "A driver's brain has to run faster than his car, which is more than 300kmh, with no rest. That makes this sport very difficult."
21 June 2007
extra sleep for performance enhancement
Athletes' Performance Improved By Extra Sleep@Medical News Today
Athletes who get an extra amount of sleep are more likely to improve their performance in a game, according to a research abstract presented at SLEEP 2007, the 21st Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS).
The study, authored by Cheri Mah of Stanford University, was conducted on six healthy students on the Stanford men's basketball team, who maintained their typical sleep-wake patterns for a two-week baseline followed by an extended sleep period in which they obtained as much extra sleep as possible. To assess improvements in athletic performance, the students were judged based on their sprint time and shooting percentages.
Significant improvements in athletic performance were observed, including faster sprint time and increased free-throws. Athletes also reported increased energy and improved mood during practices and games, as well as a decreased level of fatigue.
"Although much research has established the detrimental effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive function, mood and performance, relatively little research has investigated the effects of extra sleep over multiple nights on these variables, and even less on the specific relationship between extra sleep and athletic performance. This study illuminated this latter relationship and showed that obtaining extra sleep was associated with improvements in indicators of athletic performance and mood among members of the men's basketball team."
The amount of sleep a person gets affects his or her physical health, emotional well-being, mental abilities, productivity and performance. Recent studies associate lack of sleep with serious health problems such as an increased risk of depression, obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
###
Experts recommend that adults get between seven and eight hours of sleep each night to maintain good health and optimum performance.
Persons who think they might be suffering from a sleep disorder are encouraged to consult with their primary care physician, who will refer them to a sleep specialist.
Athletes who get an extra amount of sleep are more likely to improve their performance in a game, according to a research abstract presented at SLEEP 2007, the 21st Annual Meeting of the Associated Professional Sleep Societies (APSS).
The study, authored by Cheri Mah of Stanford University, was conducted on six healthy students on the Stanford men's basketball team, who maintained their typical sleep-wake patterns for a two-week baseline followed by an extended sleep period in which they obtained as much extra sleep as possible. To assess improvements in athletic performance, the students were judged based on their sprint time and shooting percentages.
Significant improvements in athletic performance were observed, including faster sprint time and increased free-throws. Athletes also reported increased energy and improved mood during practices and games, as well as a decreased level of fatigue.
"Although much research has established the detrimental effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive function, mood and performance, relatively little research has investigated the effects of extra sleep over multiple nights on these variables, and even less on the specific relationship between extra sleep and athletic performance. This study illuminated this latter relationship and showed that obtaining extra sleep was associated with improvements in indicators of athletic performance and mood among members of the men's basketball team."
The amount of sleep a person gets affects his or her physical health, emotional well-being, mental abilities, productivity and performance. Recent studies associate lack of sleep with serious health problems such as an increased risk of depression, obesity, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
###
Experts recommend that adults get between seven and eight hours of sleep each night to maintain good health and optimum performance.
Persons who think they might be suffering from a sleep disorder are encouraged to consult with their primary care physician, who will refer them to a sleep specialist.
20 June 2007
British National Tennis Centre
The National Tennis Centre in Roehampton, south west London, opened in March 2007 after setting the Blueprint for British tennis in 2004.
The aim of the NTC is to provide a one-site national focus for the sport in Great Britain and offer players the best opportunity to realise their potential by offering world-class facilities and back-up.
The NTC has 22 courts, including six indoors, high performance training facilities, a Sports Medicine and Science Centre, player accommodation and facilities, and a cafeteria.
The aim of the NTC is to provide a one-site national focus for the sport in Great Britain and offer players the best opportunity to realise their potential by offering world-class facilities and back-up.
The NTC has 22 courts, including six indoors, high performance training facilities, a Sports Medicine and Science Centre, player accommodation and facilities, and a cafeteria.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)