How Sports Science has brought many American Sporting Organizations forward

Sport Science is a multi-disciplinary field that aims to understand and ultimately maximize a person’s sporting performance. Scientists can evaluate, research and advise on coaching, training, competition and recovery practices in all areas and types of sport. 

History of Sports Science

It is claimed that Sports Science can trace its origins all the way back to Ancient Greece. Documented evidence shows physicians were writing about muscles and fitness, as well as discussing physical training for soldiers and athletes, long before computers, laboratories, and data analysts came along.

The era of modern Sports Science emerged in the 19th century, with reputable institutions such as Harvard Medical School pioneering studies on sports-related injuries. By the mid-1900s, its popularity surged on the back of war training for soldiers and the growth of the Olympic Games.

Introduction to American Sports

For years, coaches and athletes relied on traditional training methods to prepare for sporting events. Things were often done a certain way because “that’s how we’ve always done it”. The introduction of Sport Science was therefore met with considerable skepticism when it was first introduced.

Many coaches feared for their jobs or preferred to continue with the “tried and trusted” ways of doing things. However, interest grew in the 1930s due to the rise in intercollegiate athletics, a growing understanding of physiology and the benefits sports science could bring.

Modern Sports Science in American Sports

Today, no self-respecting professional sports organization ignores Sports Science. Driven by technological advancements, the growing demands made of athletes and teams, and a highly competitive sporting landscape, sports science has seen a resurgence of interest.

There isn’t a team owner, coach or fan, who wants to see their best players injured and sat on the sidelines. With competition fierce and the financial stakes higher than ever, Sports Science has never been more important.

Sports Science has been embraced by all the major sporting organizations, including the MLS, NFL, NHL, NBA, and MLB, as they seek to optimize player performance through data analysis, a process that a wide range of industries and companies use, including DraftKings, when it comes to odds and matchups.

Key Use of Sports Science in American Sports:

• Tailored Player Programs
• Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation
• Training and Recovery
• Performance Analysis
• Nutrition
• Skills Development
• Talent Identification
  
  

NBA

The NBA has evolved its sports science through the adoption of advanced analytics and player tracking technology. This allows teams to make data-driven decisions on training, injury prevention, as well as in-game strategy.

However, the biggest change in basketball over the last few years has been the "three-point revolution". The increase in three-point scoring in the NBA has been driven by a significant rise in the number of attempts.

In 1979-80, there were 2.8 attempts per game, with a 29% success rate. The 24-25 season saw 37.6 attempts with a 35.9% success rate. While there has been a slight increase in the overall success rate, it is not significant. The greatest difference is in the number of attempts per game.

The rise is shot frequency is down to analytical proof that a 3-pointer is a more efficient shot than a mid-range two-pointer. Pioneers of this strategy include the Golden State Warriors, led by Stephen Curry, and one of the reasons they are playoff contenders.

Curry is the most successful 3-point player in NBA history and currently holds the record with 402 made in the 2015-16 season. He has also made over 300 3-pointers in a season six times, more than any other player in NBA history.

The NFL Concussion Protocol

Perhaps the biggest recent change in the use of Sports Science in the NFL has been in the field of injury prevention and rehab. Its research has seen improvements in playing surfaces, the development of new cleats and better protective equipment.

However, it is the treatment of head injuries that has seen significant improvements in recent years. In 2011, the NFL Head, Neck and Spine Committee - independent and NFL-affiliated physicians and scientists - developed the ‘NFL Game Day Concussion Diagnosis and Management Protocol’.

Reviewed each year, the Concussion Protocol ensures players receive care that reflects the most up-to-date medical consensus on the identification, diagnosis, and treatment of head injuries. These include mandatory baseline cognitive tests and independent neurologists on the sidelines at every game. Today, any NFL player diagnosed with a concussion must follow a five-step process before being cleared to play or practice. This ensures a consistency of treatment and reduces the short- and long-term effects of head injuries.

Technology and Sports Science

Sports Science is constantly evolving, and the emergence of new technologies will undoubtedly provide new insights and performance benefits for athletes and teams. The advance of artificial intelligence (AI) in particular promises greater precision and efficiency, and a growing demand for Sports Scientists.