Change in Knowledge and Reported Use of Sport Science by Elite New Zealand Olympic Class Sailors

Abstract

The objective of this study was to examine the change in knowledge and use of sport science in 46 elite New Zealand Olympic class dinghy sailors’ one year after the adoption of a sport science support (SSS) programme by Yachting New Zealand. Twenty eight (22 males, six females) sailors responded to a questionnaire which was administered during a training camp in April 1994 and 28 (also 22 males and six females) responded to the same questionnaire at a training camp in April 1995. Ten of the sailors responded in both 1994 and 1995. The questionnaire asked whether or not the sailors used a training race diary and inquired about their knowledge and use of sport science in the areas of nutrition, psychology and physical conditioning. In 1995, additional questions enquired about sailors’ perception of sport science and its affect on their racing performance. In the intervening year, six of the sailors received sport science support (SSS) in nutrition; eleven received SSS in sport psychology; eleven received SSS in physical conditioning. In 1995, the sailors reported a greater amount of fluid taken and drunk on a four-hour sail and a greater proportion of sailors ate a high carbohydrate meal after a race. They also reported feeling less anxiety before a race. Increases were also observed in the sailors’ volume and intensity of physical training and in their chosen type of aerobic training. Most sailors believed that their knowledge and use of sport science had increased and that this had led to improvements in racing performance. It is concluded that elite New Zealand sailors’ reported use of sport science improved in the areas of physical conditioning and nutrition between 1994 and 1995. Improvement in the use of sports psychology was less clear and the eleven sailors who received psychology SSS reported feeling more anxious before a race. There was little evidence to suggest that the sport science programme was responsible for the improvements. This study indicates that sailors are beginning to understand the importance of sport science support, but there is still much room for improvement in their use of sport science.