WHY ARE YOU HERE?

Yes ….. You!IB SEHS

STUDENTS?

GROUP THOUGHT:GROUP THOUGHT:

Sports Science – What is it?Sports Science – What is it?

Foundations of Exercise and Sports Science

Introduction

Science of Human Movement

Interdisciplinary Science

Multiple Applications

Foundations of Exercise and Sports Science

Exercise Science and Related Disciplines

Multiple parent disciplines including: Physics Chemistry Physiology/Anatomy Medicine

The scope of Exercise and Sports Science –three The scope of Exercise and Sports Science –three primary areasprimary areas

PsychologyPsychology: deals with behavioral aspects : deals with behavioral aspects of of exercise and sport including learning aspectsexercise and sport including learning aspects

PhysiologyPhysiology: How physiologic systems respond : How physiologic systems respond and adapt to human movementand adapt to human movement

BiomechanicsBiomechanics: Study of : Study of physical/mechanical physical/mechanical principles that underlie human motionprinciples that underlie human motion

Foundations of Exercise and Sports Science

Exercise and Sports Science— “New” Interdisciplinary Sciences

Characteristics of Science

A “science” needs objectivity and evidence Need to distinguish between anecdotal and

scientific evidence

Foundations of Exercise and Sports Science

In search of Truth in Science (and Advertising) Testimonial approach – often incorrect assumptions Tenacity - Propaganda Knowledge of authority Rationalistic method – may lead to right or wrong

hypothesis Scientific method can alleviate inappropriate

conclusions

Foundations of Exercise and Sports Science

The Scientific Method

Goal is discovering what is true – science is not a philosophical debate

Basic tenet – truth is out there and it can be measured

Questions lead to research Observation: Phenomenon to be explained Hypothesis: Logical explanations Experiment: Scientific study to verify hypotheses

The statistical approach Mathematical tool to understand evidence

Biology:Biology: interdisciplinary study of life interdisciplinary study of life

EXERCISE SCIENTISTS:EXERCISE SCIENTISTS:

- uses exercise or training to understand biology

SPORT SCIENTISTS:SPORT SCIENTISTS:

- uses biology to understand sport

• function to bridge the gap between science and sport

To be a better sport scientist(s):To be a better sport scientist(s):

1.be a very good scientist

2.be interested in the sport(s) and the development of elite performance

3.knowledge of sport(s) – personal interest

4.knowledge of training practices and outcomes

5.be willing to train like they do ? – better understand the sport

6.6.provoke thought -challengeprovoke thought -challenge

7.Become part of the sport.

Foundations of Exercise Science

Summary Points

Exercise Science and Sports Science are new fields of study formed by merging other disciplines

Major areas of concentration include: physiology, biomechanics and psychology

Scientific method uses : controlled observation, hypothesis, and experimentation

Discovery or observational science.

Hypothesis-driven or experimental science.

Two Primary Approaches to Science

How (Most) Science Works – The Scientific Method and Hypothesis-Driven Science

Its not all mechanics - intuition, hunches, and a feel for the system under study drive scientific investigations.

Should be

falsifiable.

A Classic Application of the Scientific Method

Note that it’s fine to have more than one testable hypothesis.

Note that two independent experiments reject the hypothesis of spontaneous generation and support the alternative hypothesis that life comes only from existing life.

A Classic Application of the Scientific Method

Rejection of a hypothesis proves it wrong; support of a hypothesis doesn’t prove it right.

Scientific Proof?

Some Scientific Questions Can’t Be Answered By Experimentation

One current view of hominid evolution.

Discovery or observational science is still science; falsifiable hypotheses based on natural phenomenon are proposed to best account for observations.

Provisional Assent – Scientific Ideas Can Only Be Proven Wrong

A theory stands because observations or experimentation never proves its tenets wrong.

This doesn’t prove the theory is correct – only that its never been proved wrong.

In this sense, scientific knowledge is provisional.

But what’s a theory?

Fact, Hypothesis and Theory

These terms, especially theory, are commonly misunderstood.

A hypothesis is a testable prediction.

A fact is an undisputed piece of information derived from observation.

A good hypothesis should be falsifiable.

A theory is a general set of principles that explain some natural phenomenon.

Examples of scientific theories are the theory of gravitation, the atomic theory, the cell theory, and the theory of evolution.

What Kind of People Are Scientists?

Reality:Scientists can be egocentric, emotional nutcakes at least as well as anyone.

The Textbook CaseScientists are dispassionate and always reasoned in their approaches to their discipline and the world around them.

One Human Side of Science

The Scope and Limitations of Science

Science acquires knowledge through examination of falsifiable hypotheses based on natural phenomena.

This sets a limit on science; science cannot speak directly to such issues as morality or religion.

The domain and limit of science are often misunderstood.