British Curling

Sport Science

Proposed Areas of Programme Support:

Sports Psychology
The aim of psychological support would be as follows:

Short Term Goals: Squad preparation from May 2008 to December 2009
Long Term Goals: Olympic Team selection and 2010 Olympic Games and beyond

Options for the delivery of Psychological Support services include:

Preparation for the Games Educational Workshops.
A series of workshops designed to improve athlete performance. The topics of the workshops will be decided through consultation with athletes and coaches and could be presented at Olympic training camps.
There would then be the options of individual follow up on these topics also allowing Individual Consultations.  Input can also be provided to all appropriate Coach Staff and support service providers.

Notational/Performance Analysis

Performance Analysis provides coaches and athletes with objective, evidence-based information on performance. Using Notational and Technical analysis techniques, it enhances the observation, assessment and feedback process. As a result, reliable video and statistical data can be generated on own/opposition performance, and be applied in training or tournament settings.

The primary function of every coach is to observe the skills needed for successful performance, design training opportunities to acquire and refine these skills, and provide feedback on these skills in training and tournament settings. However, coaches relying solely on impressions generated from watching a performance will be basing performance feedback on unreliable or incomplete information.

Additionally, Performance Analysis as a resource (the activities of filming, the provision of data) can inform other support experts as they themselves add value to the programme. Physiotherapy, Psychology and Skill Acquisition are some areas that have acted from the Performance Analysis process.

Physiology

Exercise Physiology is the study of how the body responds to exercise. In curling this is focussed on how the body responds to repeated exercise with particular emphasis on sweeping and the ability to play stones under pressure in several matches a day. Regular physiological monitoring will provide valuable information to accurately track how the body responds to a conditioning programme and to adjust the programme to produce maximum benefit in competition.

Physiological support for curling will take several forms:
  1. Cardiovascular fitness
  2. Power output
  3. Physiological response to sweeping
  4. Physical response during matches
In addition, body weight and body composition will be monitored.

Monitoring for response will be done using a variety of the following;
  • Bleep Test
  • Power Output
  • Cycle Step Test
  • Sweep Test/Sweep Ergometer
Strength & Conditioning

Strength & Conditioning is a sub-discipline of Sport Science which deals specifically with the physical preparation of athletes for peak performance. This requires the specialist coach to identify the key fitness components of Curling, evaluate each athlete in relation to these components, and design a medium to long-term fitness training programme for each individual athlete.

The Role of the Strength & Conditioning Coach:
  • Designing individualised periodised training programme for each athlete.
  • Facilitating expert technical coaching input to optimise the execution of the training programme.
  • Liaising with coaches, sports medicine personnel and sport scientists where required to ensure optimum programme design.
  • Maintaining regular contact with individual athletes; being available to offer ongoing support and advice to athletes.
Athlete Responsibilities:
  • Take personal ownership and responsibility for undertaking the prescribed training programme.
  • Communicate with the strength and conditioning coach if issues arise which have an impact on an athletes ability to carry out the programme.
  • Return completed training records to allow an ongoing evaluation of athlete progress.
Nutrition

Advice and input will be based on:
  • Travel Nutrition: organising long haul flight food & helping ensure hotels deliver appropriate menus.
  • List bag checklists for individual athletes & team food boxes.
  • Advice on correct levels of hydration.
  • Day to day training nutrition - this may include work with performance lifestyle advisor, to ensure lifestyle allows for effective nutrition.
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Vancouver Winter Paralympics
10 - 21 March 2010