In 2013 the University of Maryland hired Dr. David Klossner, Ph.D as the associate athletic director of sports performance. He spent the last 10 years as the Director of the NCAA Sports Science institute. Dr. Klossner now oversees sports medicine, strength and conditioning, and nutrition for the Division I Terrapins. Dr. Klossner was the first ever director of sports performance at the University of Maryland. The athletics department believed his experience in the field will “optimize sports performance services for [their] student-athletes.”
This hiring of Dr. Klossner is a prime example of a university being forward thinking with sports science at the collegiate level. At the professional level just this summer the Philadelphia 76ers welcomed Dr. David T. Martin from the Australian Institute of Sports, as their director of performance research and development. Dr. Martin has worked with Olympic athletes for over 20 years becoming a leading innovator in the area of sport performance. The president and general manager, Sam Hinkie of the 76ers believes that it is an important factor for their team to build up their “sport science capabilities.” Hinkie finds it’s beneficial to hire experts in sports science. Athletes are able to improve and maintain their health which gives them a better “opportunity” to perform at their best with assistance from a sports science expert.
Most recently NFL cornerback now safety, Walter Thurmond, signed with the Philadelphia Eagles to work with Coach Chip Kelly, who is a supporter of sports science, compared to his previous coach of the New York Giants, Tom Coughlin. In a recent interview with the Bleacher Report Thurmond stated that his previous coach was “old -school” and does not believe in sports science. He stated that “Coach Kelly is the front- runner and the most extroverted as it pertains to sport science with hydration and maximizing the full potential of the players.”
In 2013 the Eagles were ranked number one in Adjusted Games Lost. This is a measure used by Football Outsiders to see how injuries of starters impact wins or losses. Less injuries equates to a higher ranking. Last year the Baltimore Ravens were ranked number 7 in which they gave credit to their head coach John Harbaugh, who has enlisted the help of massage therapists, four certified athletic trainers, and two strength and conditioning coaches. On the opposite side of the spectrum, in 2013 and 2014 the New York Giants ranked lasted on the list. They were number 32 which means they had many injuries that affected their winning percentage. In 2014 the Giants ended the season with a 6-10 record. This is the same season Walter Thurmond suffered a torn pectoral muscle causing him to miss the entire season after having played only two games. One can only think that if Coach Tom Coughlin made sports science more of a priority Thurmond’s injury could have been prevented.
But what exactly is sport science? It’s a conglomerate of various disciplines working together in regards to the human body and how it performs while participating in sports. It can consist of athletic training, strength and conditioning, exercise physiology, kinesiology, biomechanics, physical therapy, sports psychology, and nutrition.
Technology more than ever has played an integral role in sports science. From player performance systems, to anti-gravity treadmills, and sport specific clothing such as Titan Tech, for one example, to aide in training, recovery, and the prevention of injuries. Experts are needed to properly educate, train, and operate such technologies to coaching staff and athletes.
As more college and professional athletes become aware of how their health and performance are directly correlated, sport science will play an important part in the recruitment of college athletes, the drafting of professional athletes, and the retention of athletes. Walter Thurmond is a prime example of how a professional sports team’s sport science programs can influence players to join or a leave a team. A coach’s personal philosophy about modern day medicine and technology in sports can also have a major impact on the signing of athletes. More and more universities and professional teams are hiring people to run such programs. In the near future sport science programs and directors will be a must have in professional and collegiate sports.