In a recent invited commentary in the International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, a multidisciplinary expert panel of applied sport scientists identified recent trends in the evolving world of elite sport. Among the trends they identified:
Over the past 10–15 years, key drivers included improved access to scientific knowledge for coaches and athletes alike, which lead to better integration of multidisciplinary perspectives throughout the sporting world and increasing use of advanced technology.
Categories of trends included: Better understanding of sport-specific demands; improved execution in competition; larger, more specific, and more precise training loads; improved training quality; and a more professional and healthier lifestyle.
Key areas expected to drive future improvements included more extensive use of advanced technology for monitoring and prescribing training and recovery, more precise use of environmental and nutritional interventions, better understanding of athlete–equipment interactions, and greater emphasis on preventing injuries and illnesses.
Source: Sandbakk Ø, Pyne DB, McGawley K, et al. The Evolution of World-Class Endurance Training: The Scientist’s View on Current and Future Trends. Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2023;18(8):885-889. doi: 10.1123/ijspp.2023-0131.
