Interdisciplinary Sport Science in Individual Sports - A Framework for Implementation

Abstract

ABSTRACT The role of the sport scientist has become an important part of the high-performance support staff structure in recent years. Although this role is now widely accepted and valued in many sports and organizations, there is an element of employment instability with frequent replacement and staffing changes occurring in some environments. There are often differences in the responsibilities and expectations of sport scientists within and between different sports and organizations, specifically between team and individual sports. This can make it difficult to successfully transition between these and be effective in a new role. Therefore, the ability to adapt to different environments and work within the culture and expectations of each sport can be crucial to professional success and to reduce role instability after new employment. This article aims to provide a framework for implementing interdisciplinary sport science in individual sports and includes case study examples and personal reflections to illustrate the framework in real-world situations. It is hoped that this can provide an insight into the unique considerations of working in these sports for the sport scientist that may transition into these roles.