Olympic Cycle Research Articles

High speed bike manufacture

Metal additive manufacturing (AM) helped Great Britain Olympic cycling team improve the aerodynamics of its track cycles.

Olympic Cycle Comparison of the Nutritional and Cardiovascular Health Status of an Elite-Level Female Swimmer: Case Study Report from Slovenia.

Monitoring the many aspects that are crucial to an athlete’s performance progress is vital for further training planning and for the development of performance and the sport. We evaluated a four-year change (2018 vs. 2022) in the current nutritional and cardiovascular health status of the most successful elite-level female swimmer in Slovenia. Body composition and dietary intake were assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and a standardized food questionnaire. The concentration of blood lipids, blood pressure, and serum micronutrients (B12, 25(OH)D), potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and iron) were measured. The four-year comparison showed an improved body composition status (i.e., increased body mass and decreased body fat (percentage and mass), increased lean soft tissue and total bone mineral density (BMD) (i.e., significantly decreased BMD of a left femoral neck and increased BMD of a spine and head)). We also measured an improvement in the cardiovascular health status of some markers (i.e., decreased total cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure but increased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol), most likely due to the differences in assessed dietary intake (i.e., lower carbohydrate intake, higher total and saturated fat intake, and lower sodium intake). Notably, nutrient intakes that are generally of concern (eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), vitamin B12 and D, calcium, iron, and zinc (except for fiber intake)) were all within recommended ranges. However, the athlete’s vitamin K and potassium intake were not adequate. Furthermore, in 2018, the athlete did not consume dietary supplements, while she now regularly uses several dietary supplements, including EPA and DHA omega-3, vitamin D, multivitamins, carbohydrate powder, and sports drink. Moreover, from the micronutrient serum, only iron levels deviated from the reference values (37 μmol/L vs. 10.7–28.6 μmol/L). The presented screening example using valid, sensitive, and affordable methods and with rapid organizational implementation may be a viable format for regular monitoring.

Evaluating Sport Psychology Service Delivery for Elite USA Track and Field Athletes: Findings and Recommendations

In preparation for the 2020–2024 Olympic cycle, members of the USA Track and Field sport psychology (SP) subcommittee investigated the SP service provision needs and preferences of 88 elite Olympic-level athletes. A mixed-methods needs analysis was employed, which consisted of surveys, interviews, and a focus group, to help understand current SP usage and shape future SP services for USA Track and Field. Findings highlighted a lack of knowledge and exposure to SP services and a desire for increased contact with SP professionals among athletes, exposing gaps and room for improvement in service delivery. Athletes cited flexibility in terms of service delivery mode and shared common core preferences for mental training, including help managing stress, pressure, emotions, and other challenges of competition and training. The results are discussed in relation to strengthening the effectiveness of service provision through increasing visibility, accessibility, and education regarding the benefits of SP services.

Determination of the reference model of performance in the distance of 100 m butterfly based on the analysis of the results of the Olympic champions of 1996-2021

In modern swimming, where the intensity of competition is too high, the ability of the athlete to apply a rational technical and tactical option of swimming the distance and choose the right strategy to perform in the main competitions of the season or the Olympic cycle is of paramount importance. In swimming, the sports result largely depends on the tactical skills of the athlete, the ability to competently build the course of the competition, as well as on the individual mental qualities of the swimmer. The main component of tactical training in swimming is the choice of a rational individual scheme of overcoming the distance and its implementation regardless of the actions of major competitors. The article presents an analysis of the tactics of passing the 100 m butterfly the Olympic champions of 1996-2021. When analyzing the final swims at a distance of 100 m butterfly, attention was paid to the time of overcoming the first and second half of the distance and their difference, as well as the number of performed rowing movements. The performances of the champions of the 1996-2021 Olympic Games are analyzed, taking into account the time in the first and second half of the distance, the difference between two equal segments and the number of motor cycles. The reference model of swimming in the 100 m butterfly formed by us will give coaches the opportunity to focus on the "time corridors" of the elite model of men's sprinters when planning the training process.

Mega events paradox

Considering the urban transformations and the development of the hotel sector in the City of Rio de Janeiro driven by the 2016 Olympic Games, this study aims to understand how the hotel industry behaves in terms of organic growth and investments during periods of mega international events. To this end, a qualitative case study research was carried out that included 7 different hotel brands whose results were coded and categorized resulting in a theoretical-conceptual framework responsible for identifying some competitive pressures on traditional hospitality, including 6 different challenges: (1) political institutional insecurity, (2) perceptions of the media, (3) public security, (4) other national and foreign locations, (5) new videoconference technologies, and (6) Online Travel Agencies. It was found that the exponential growth in the number of beds in the city in the years leading up to the 2016 Olympics generated several complications for the industry at that time. The logic of this expansion is discussed throughout the paper during different phases and the aim is to help fill a gap left by empirical research in the area, which has little explored the logic behind the option of investing during Olympic Cycles.

Judo combat time, scores, and penalties: Review of competition rules changes between 2010 and 2020

This study aimed to describe and analyze the main changes in the official competitive rules of judo between 2010 and 2020, highlighting changes in combat time, scores and penalties. In this retrospective study, a search was performed for official documents which regulated judo rules between 2010 and 2020 on the websites of the International Judo Federation and the Brazilian Judo Confederation, as well as refereeing manuals of the Sergipe Judo Federation (Brazil) and on the Google platform. Over the years, regular combat time has been shortened (2015=5’->4’ for women; 2017=5’->4’ for men), as well as osaekomi time (2013=25”->20”). This change was intended to facilitate the public’s understanding of judo scores, as well as to devalue the use of penalties to achieve the victory (2010=koka’s exclusion; 2013=penalty was no longer worth scores; 2017=yuko’s exclusion, shido no longer decided the winner in regular time; 2018=shido no longer decided the golden score winner). Attack actions were encouraged (ban on actions to flee combat) and there was an intention to reduce the risk of injuries in competitive judo (prohibition of some types of actions and grips). In other words, there was an attempt by the International Judo Federation to encourage positive judo through the rules from 2010 to 2020. However, these constant rule changes made the competitive training context unstable. Judo coaches and athletes must be aware at the end of each Olympic cycle for new changes which will eventually be introduced and adapt to them quickly to achieve high performance.

Activities of medical centers for athletes and spectators at cycling track events in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

AimWe focused on the preparation and activities of clinics for spectators and athletes in the Izu Velodrome in Shizuoka Prefecture, which was managed by the Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (TOC).MethodsTwo medical clinics were established for the track cycling competition: one for Olympians and their associates, and one for spectators, TOC‐related individuals, and volunteers. Each medical clinic had two separate buildings. One was for individuals with suspected coronavirus disease (COVID‐19); the other was for individuals who were deemed unlikely to have COVID‐19.ResultsDuring the Olympics, five Olympians and one umpire were transported to a designated hospital. All of them had fall‐related injuries. Nine patients visited the clinic for spectators, and six of the nine were volunteers. Two volunteers showed side‐effects in association with COVID‐19 vaccination. Five of the nine patients had outdoor‐related disease. During the Paralympics Games, no Olympians visited the clinic, and three volunteers were treated at the clinic for spectators. All had outdoor‐related diseases and returned to work after treatment. There were no confirmed cases of COVID‐19 among individuals who attended the Olympic cycling track during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and Paralympics.ConclusionsThe present study showed the results of activities of the two clinics for the Olympics and Paralympics. Both medical clinics were necessary for the safe operation of the Olympics and Paralympics.

CHRONOLOGICAL AGE OF ALPINE SKI MEDAL WINNERS IN THE 2015-2018 OLYMPIC CYCLE

Personal motivation, as well as engagement in alpine skiing, brought the authors to inspect the differences in average chronological age of alpine skiers, and to present the results to the professional public, in order to improve planning and programming of the training process. The paper analyzed the average chronological age of medal winning professional alpine skiers in the World Cups in the 2015-2018 Olympic cycle. The following alpine disciplines were analyzed: Slalom (SL), Giant Slalom (GS), Super-G (SG), Downhill (DH) and Alpine Combination (AC). The obtained results indicate that there was a significant difference in the average chronological age between male and female competitors. The results of the present study show that there were differences in GS, SG, DH, and AC, where male skiers are on average older than female skiers. Conversely, there was no significant difference between male and female skiers in SL. The results of this study could aid coaches and experts in future years of individual management of sports careers of male and female skiers.

Performance of the national fencing team of Ukraine at the XXXII Olympic Games and the prospects of its performance at the next Olympic Games

Analysis of Ukrainian athletes’ results at the XXXII Olympiad Games allows pointing out the factors of the weak performance of Ukrainian athletes in women's individual saber and epee competitions, as well as men's team epee competitions, despite the possibility of winning medals in these sports events according to many analysts including those of Infostrada Sports and other sports statistics experts. These, in our opinion, include an unsatisfactory level of efficiency of the process of reaching the peak of readiness for the Olympic Games; lack of psychological stability of athletes at the competitions; weak tactical preparation of some athletes. Based on the performances of athletes of the Ukrainian fencing team in Tokyo, a conclusion was made about the unsatisfactory level of athletes’ preparation for the XXXII Olympic Games. Only 20% of the national team members were able to realize their potential at the XXXII Olympic Games. The dynamics of the athletes’ results at the World Championships 2017 – 2019 indicates the need to use in the new Olympic cycle the planning, which is focused on our athletes reaching the peak of readiness for the Olympics: at first, the training should be aimed at the maximum stimulation of the growth of sportsmanship, whereas at the final stage it should be focused on its realization in the major competitions. It is shown that despite the unsuccessful performance of the Ukrainian fencing team in the Olympic Tokyo, this type of martial arts has significant potential for improving sports achievements at the XXXIII Olympic Games 2024 in Paris. It is noted that in the new Olympic cycle it is of crucial importance to identify candidates for the XXXIII Olympic Games as soon as possible and to create all the conditions for their full-fledged preparation. Thus, to ensure further winning medal places at the Olympic Games, it is necessary to improve the system of sports training in the Olympic cycle, which envisages participation in numerous competitions during the year to achieve a high level of readiness in the major competitions of triennial – the Olympic Games.

A Conversation With … Kamali Thompson MD, MBA, US Olympic Alternate in Fencing and Orthopaedic Surgery Resident.

A Conversation With … Kamali Thompson MD, MBA, US Olympic Alternate in Fencing and Orthopaedic Surgery Resident.

Road to Tokyo Olympic Games: do new judo rules change the technical-tactical behaviour of elite male athletes?

ABSTRACT This study compared the time-motion of the combat phases in male judo within two Olympic cycles (2016 vs. 2020). We analysed of 680 combats from belonging to two Olympic cycles (340 combats 2015–2016 and 340 combats 2019–2020). The combat phase was quantified according to a validated protocol (approach, gripping, attack/defence, groundwork, and pause). The 2020 cycle athletes spent less time in the gripping (79.7 ± 50.1 vs. 104.3 ± 54.1 seconds; p ˂ 0.001), attack/defence (7.6 ± 5.2 vs. 9.5 ± 7.2 seconds; p ˂ 0.001), and groundwork phases (33.9 ± 29.0 vs. 42.2 ± 32.0 seconds; p ˂ 0.001), and ashorter total combat time (200.0 ± 104.6 vs. 238.0 ± 94.8 seconds; p ˂ 0.001) than the 2016 athletes. Additionally, the 2020 athletes had ahigher occurrence of Golden Score (0.3 ± 0.4 vs. 0.1 ± 0.2 of total combats; p ˂ 0.001), and ahigher time spent in the Golden Score (23.9 ± 53.5 vs. 4.1 ± 21.4 seconds; p ˂ 0.001). The 2016 athletes had alonger total combat time; however, the time spent on the Golden Score increased in the 2020. These results should be helpful in preparing technical-tactical training aimed at performance.

Participation tactics of elite freestyle wrestlers in competition system in 2013-2016 Olympic cycle

Background and Study Aim. Tactics is one of the basic terms underlying the management of competitive activities of athletes. In freestyle wrestling, the participation tactics of athletes in the competition system is covered fragmentally and needs proper justification. The purpose of the study was to determine the features of the participation tactics of elite athletes in the competition system in freestyle wrestling during 2013-2016 Olympic cycle.
 Materials and Methods. This study analyzes the dynamics of performances and results of 24 elite freestyle wrestlers who won gold, silver and bronze medals at the Games of XXXI Olympiad 2016 in Rio de Janeiro in different weight categories (four athletes in each of six weight categories). To do this, we used athletes’ individual profiles on the United World Wrestling. Used an expert assessment devoted to the issues of tactics and tactical training. The experts (n = 8) were well educated (3 among them held Ph.D. diplomas) and experienced – 2 coaches of Ukrainian national team, and 1 athlete–national team’s member. On average, experts had almost 10 years of experience in training wrestlers of different ages. The results were processed using Microsoft Excel software.
 Results. The volume of competition practice of elite athletes during 2013-2016 changed in each season. In the 2013 season, the average group number of competitions in which athletes participated was 3.84 ± 2.06, in 2014 – 3.50 ± 1.79. In the 2015 season, those indicators were the highest – 4.17 ± 1.87, but in 2016 they decreased to 3.71 ± 1.52. The participation tactics in the competition system in freestyle wrestling during the season and the four-year cycle differed depending on the dynamics of sports results. Four types of tactics used by the elite athletes in freestyle wrestling in 2013-2016 were identified: leadership holding, gradual improving of results, combined, leadership returning. It was found that during 2013-2016, most athletes (58.33-79.17%) used a variety of tactics that involved performances in one Olympic weight category. In 2014 and 2015, some athletes (20.83 and 25.00%, respectively) used different options in other weight categories, choosing one of them as a priority and one or two – as additional.
 Conclusions. There are four types of participation tactics in the competition system in freestyle wrestling. In 2013-2016 Olympic cycle they included leadership holding, gradual increase of results, combined, leadership return. The main differences between types of tactics are the volume of competition practice, the dynamics of results, the choice of weight category. The most relevant was the type of tactics with performances exclusively in the Olympic weight category during four seasons.

Strategic Planning and Program Management of Strength and Conditioning Support Within Elite Sport: A Technical Systems-Driven Perspective

ABSTRACT Successful performance in sport is a multifactorial process that includes a blend of technical, tactical, physiological, biomechanical, and psychological features interacting together to result in the desired performance outcome. The strength and conditioning (S&C) program, depending on the sport, can support performance by influencing the physiological and biomechanical components through direct and indirect avenues of impact. Performance planning to achieve identified objectives is typically a long-term process, ranging from a year in seasonal professional team sports to a four-year Olympic cycle. It is critical to develop and implement key strategic processes to ensure that the S&C program effectively supports performance at major competitions. Furthermore, it is essential to have clarity for the role of S&C within the overall sports training program. Having a clear approach to deconstructing and understanding performance from a human performance perspective, showing how and where the impact on performance can be made, and objectively demonstrating the contribution to performance variables is vital. The current article uses the author's experience of working across a range of Olympic and professional sports to articulate a process for strategic planning and managing S&C support from a technical perspective. Examples from various sports have been used to illustrate critical strategic processes.

Road to Tokyo 2020: has this atypical 5-year Olympic cycle represented an opportunity?

Road to Tokyo 2020: has this atypical 5-year Olympic cycle represented an opportunity?

Methods, challenges and benefits of a health monitoring programme for Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic athletes: the road from London 2012 to Tokyo 2020

ObjectiveTo describe the implementation of a health monitoring programme for Norwegian Paralympic and Olympic candidates over five consecutive Olympic and Paralympic Games cycles (London 2012, Sochi 2014, Rio de Janeiro...

Performance of high-level Spanish athletes in the Olympic Games according to gender.

No studies have been found that analyzed the probabilities of high-level athletes according to gender for accessing programs that promote the professionalization of sports, and participation and success in the OG in Spain. This could explain the gender differences in these parameters and the trend towards more egalitarian data in recent years. The objective of this study was to analyze the probabilities of Spanish high-level athletes for participating and achieving sporting success in the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games (OG). Data relating to a sample of 3757 high-level Spanish athletes (2398 men and 1359 women) between 2005 and 2016 were examined. The variables of gender, having obtained a scholarship from the Association of Olympic Athletes (ADO) program, training in a High Performance Center (CAR), participation and performance in the OG were analyzed. It was found that high-level female athletes were more likely than male athletes to belong to the ADO program (χ2 = 26,151; r* = 0.083; p = 0,000) and CAR (χ2 = 13,847; r* = 0.061; p = 0,000), and to qualify for an OG (χ2 = 22,838; r* = 0,078; p = 0,000), the same trend was found in the three Olympic cycles analyzed. With respect to the results in the OG, in general, no differences were found according to gender, although women were more likely to be finalists (χ2 = 4,406; r* = 0.071; p = 0,036), and more prominently in the 2016 OG (16.118; r* = 0.228; p = 0.000). The same applies to winning a medal (χ2 = 5.939; r* = 0.145; p = 0.015), more specifically bronze at the 2012 OG (χ2 = 6.215; r* = 0.149; p = 0.013). In conclusion, high-level female athletes in Spain have a higher percentage of access to high-level athlete support programs such as ADO and CAR, as well as participation in OG.

Концепція тактики у сучасних олімпійських спортивних єдиноборствах

The article is devoted to the theoretical and methodological substantiation of tactics in modern Olympic martial arts. The urgency of the work is due to the needs of the training system of athletes and the mandatory practice of organizing and conducting specialized activities to achieve results in specific conflict situations, taking into account current trends in Olympic martial arts. The purpose of the research is theoretical and methodological substantiation of tactics in modern Olympic martial arts. Methods: theoretical analysis and generalization, study of documentary materials, sociological survey methods (expert assessment), ascertaining pedagogical experiment, methods of mathematical statistics. Results. Tactics in modern Olympic martial arts should be considered as a system that covers the theory and practice of organizing and conducting special activities of the subjects of the personalized subsystem of the training system, the main purpose of which is to achieve sports results by using various schemes and tools according to certain rules. specific sport, and current environmental conditions. The springboard, or the most important starting position, which dictates the nature of special activities (tactics) are the current trends in the development of Olympic martial arts. At each of the seven levels, tactics are implemented in the following areas: perception of the environment and search for information needed to understand the situation, analysis of information and its comparison with previous experience and purpose, selection and decision-making, implementation of decisions and evaluation. Conclusions. The concept of tactics in modern Olympic martial arts is a system of views on it as a multilevel and multidimensional phenomenon that exists in several areas - competitive and non-competitive activities. The levels of implementation of tactics are as follows: tactical interaction (during the technical reception); duel; team meeting; tournament and its stages; competition systems - during the season, the Olympic cycle and their totality. At each of the seven levels, tactics are implemented in the following areas: perception of the environment and search for information needed to understand the situation, analysis of information and its comparison with previous experience and purpose, selection and decision-making, implementation of decisions and evaluation

Тактика участі провідних спортсменок світу у системі змагань з жіночої боротьби упродовж олімпійського циклу 2013-2016 рр.

Purpose: to analyze the features of the participation tactics of the world's leading athletes in the system of women's wrestling competitions during the Olympic cycle of 2013-2016. Materials and methods. Theoretical analysis, documentary method, generalization of literature and Internet data allowed to identify the problematic field of tactics in martial arts, to summarize current trends in Olympic martial arts, to identify commonalities and differences in the systems of Olympic selection. Analysis of the competitive performance of the world's leading women-athletes who took first-third places at the Games XXXI of Olympiad 2016 in Rio de Janeiro in wrestling competitions (a total of 24 athletes – four in six weight categories). The results were processed using Microsoft Excel. Results: features of the competition system in women's wrestling were revealed. It is characterized by the presence of a large number of tournaments of different categories, a multi-stage system of Olympic selection, the discrepancy between the number of weight categories represented at the World Championships and the Olympic Games. During the first-third seasons of the 2013-2016 Olympic cycle, most of the world's leading athletes gradually increased their competitive practice from 3.96 to 5.13 tournaments per year, while in the fourth, they reduced it to 4.29 tournaments. Conclusions. The participation tactics of the world's leading athletes in the system of women's wrestling competitions during the season and the four-year cycle has differences depending on the dynamics of sports results. There are four types of tactics: retention of leadership, gradual increase of results, combined (during the first or second seasons - gradual increase of results, in the third-fourth - retention of leadership), return of leadership. Six types of tactics for choosing a weight category have been identified. They were used by different sportsmen within a season or the whole Olympic cycle. Keywords: competitions, Olympic Games, Olympic cycle, calendar, season, tactics, results

Автоматизированные рабочие места для функциональной диагностики спортсменов

Одной из важных задач спортивной подготовки в современном спорте высших достижений является возможность управления состоянием организма спортсменов в процессе тренировочной и соревновательной деятельности. Применение с этой целью систем, регистрирующих и анализирующих информацию о функциональных возможностях спортсмена в динамике его деятельности, позволяет обеспечить индивидуальный подход при планировании и коррекции тренировочных нагрузок. Особое значение это имеет при врачебно-педагогическом обследовании. Разработка методов и средств, повышающих работоспособность, в частности в практике спорта высших достижений, является одним из базовых принципов современной спортивной медицины, физиологии труда и спорта. В практике современной медицины при осуществлении массовых обследований спортсменов до сих пор является актуальным подход, который основывается на предложенной А.З. Колчинской концепции по регулированию кислородных режимов организма, который позволяет дать общую характеристику газового гомеостаза, провести диагностику основных синдромов, связанных с нарушениями транспорта респираторных газов в организме, оценить функциональное состояние организма на всех этапах годового цикла спортивной. подготовки и в период после нагрузочного восстановления. Поскольку эта работа связана с большим количеством расчетов и последующей обработкой полученной информации, необходимо использовать современные средства информационной поддержки. Так, автоматизированная информационная система (АИС) функциональной диагностики спортсменов позволяет многократно ускорить обработку данных, полученных при обследовании спортсменов, централизованно накапливать информацию для ее предварительной обработки, хранения и коллективного использования. АИС оснащена современными сервисами графического и табличного представления результатов, что позволяет проводить анализ динамики функционального состояния спортсменов в течение годового цикла подготовки, а также на этапе четырехлетнего тренировочного олимпийского цикла.

Development of the routine duration in artistic gymnastics from 1997 to 2019

ABSTRACT In this study, the development of routine duration (RD) in artistic gymnastics was investigated. Because of fundamental rule changes in 2006, the difference between the periods 1997–2005 and 2006–2019 and between the Olympic cycles (OC) over the entire period was examined. Therefore, 1387 routines were evaluated using video recordings. The results were: I) RD increased from 1997–2005 to 2006–2019 on pommel horse (36.0 to 44.0 s; p = 0.00), still rings (SR) (42.0 to 53.0 s; p = 0.00), parallel bars (PB) (35.0 to 50.0 s; p = 0.00), high bar (37.0 to 50.0 s; p = 0.00), uneven bars (UB) (32.5 to 36.0 s; p = 0.00), balance beam (83.0 to 85.0 s; p = 0.08) and floor female (87.0 to 89.0 s; p = 0.00), whereas floor male (67.0 vs. 67.0 s; p = 0.96) shows no differences; II) RD increase on SR from OC 2008 to OC 2012 (p = 0.00), at PB from OC 2012 to OC 2016 (p = 0.00), and reduced from OC 2012 to OC 2016 (p = 0.00) at UB. The increase of RD must be considered by coaches in order to prepare their athletes specifically for competitions.