There are two main reasons for pursuing research in the Sports Sciences. Firstly, by studying responses to exercise, we learn about the normal function of the tissues and or gans whose function allows exercise to be performed. The genetic endowment of elite ath letes is a major factor in their success, and they represent one end of the continuum of human performance capability: the study of elite athletes also demonstrates the limits of human adaptation because nowhere else is the body subjected to such levels of intensive exercise on a regular basis. The second reason for studying Sports Science is the intrinsic interest and value of the subject itself. Elite performers set levels to which others can as pire, but even among spectators, sport is an important part oflife and society. of top sport and elite performers, there is also another reason Apart from the study for medical and scientific interest in sport. There is no longer any doubt that lack ofphysi cal activity is a major risk factor for many of the diseases that affect people in all coun tries: such diseases include coronary heart disease, obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. An increased level of recreational physical activity is now an accepted part of the prescription for treatment and prevention of many illnesses, including those with psychological as well as physical causes. An understanding of the normal response to exercise, as well as of the role of exercise in disease prevention, is therefore vital.

NSCA's Essentials of Sport Science provides the most contemporary and comprehensive overview of the field of sport science and the role of the sport scientist. It is a primary preparation resource for the Certified Performance and Sport Scientist (CPSS) certification exam.

Sport and Exercise Psychology Research: From Theory to Practice provides a comprehensive summary of new research in sport and exercise psychology from worldwide researchers. Encompassing theory, research, and applications, the book is split into several themed sections. Section 1 discusses basic antecedents to performance including fitness, practice, emotion, team dynamics, and more. Section 2 identifies factors influencing individual performance. Section 3 discusses applied sport psychology for athletes and coaches, and section 4 includes approaches from exercise psychology on motivation and well-being. The book includes a mix of award winning researchers from the European Sport Psychology Association, along with top researchers from the U.S. to bring an international overview to sport psychology. - Includes international contributions from Europe and the U.S. - Encompasses theory, research, and applications - Includes sport psychology and exercise research - Features applied information for use with coaches, teams, and elite athletes - Identifies performance enhancers and inhibitors

Grade level: 10, 11, 12, i, s, t.

This comprehensive, accessible and practical textbook provides a complete grounding in both qualitative and quantitative research methods for the sports studies student. The book offers the reader a step-by-step guide to the research process, from designing a research project, to collecting and analyzing data, to reporting the research, and is richly illustrated throughout with sport-related case-studies and examples from around the world. Now in a fully revised and updated new edition, the book covers key topics such as: choosing an appropriate research design undertaking a literature review key research techniques, including questionnaires, interviews, content analysis and ethnographic studies data analysis, including an introduction to SPSS, as well as guides to descriptive and inferential statistics writing a research report ethical issues in sports research. Research Methods in Sports Studies is designed to be a complete and self-contained companion to any research methods course and contains a wealth of useful features, such as highlighted definitions of key terms, revision questions, practical research exercises, and a companion website with web links, multiple choice questions, powerpoint slides, and other learning resources. The book is also an invaluable reference for any student undertaking a dissertation or research project as part of their studies. Visit the companion website at: www.routledge.com/textbooks/9780415493932

Sports, Exercise, and Nutritional Genomics: Current Status and Future Directions is the first reference volume to offer a holistic examination of omics-driven advances across different aspects of exercise and sports physiology, biochemistry, sports medicine, psychology, anthropology, and sports nutrition; and highlighting the opportunities towards advance personalized training and athlete health management. More than 70 international experts from 14 countries have discussed key exercise and sport-related themes through the prism of genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, telomere biology, talent in sport, individual differences in response to regular physical activity, that in the future may empower coaches, sports physicians, fitness experts, genetic counselors, and translational scientists to employ various omics data and approaches in improving health and physical performance of people participating in sports and exercise activities. Contributors address current knowledge of genetic influence on athletic performance, individual responses to exercise training, as well as the genetics of musculoskeletal phenotypes, exercise-related injuries, flexibility, and neurodegenerative disorders in athletes. Finally, performance-related and psychological traits associated with epigenetic, transcriptomic and metagenomic biomarkers are also considered, along with nutritional and pharmacogenomic aids in sports medicine and personalized nutrition. - Effectively synthesizes key themes across molecular aspects of exercise and sports sciences - Provides a knowledge base for future translation of omics solutions to talent identification, individualized training, and nutrition - Features contributions from international experts (researchers and clinicians) in the subject area