SPORTS MEDICINE SUPPORT

science and medicine support, to enhance performance at the elite level. In order to aid the swimmers’ development the aim of coach education is to: extend the coaches’ knowledge of the factors that limit performance; enable coaches to interpret and utilise informa- tion effectively; and aid coaches to accurately analyse a swim in order to identify and potentially correct issues.

This support includes: (i) a Coach Vocation Package for all coaches working with swimmers on any of the World Class programmes (ii) one-to-one poolside sessions with coaches in their own train- ing environment (iii) classroom and pool based workshops across the country (iv) an Annual Coach Education Day (usually in January) with inter- national guest speakers.

Applied research Applied research is vital in the provision of sport science and med- icine support. Especially considering the lack of existing research in the area, in contrast to able-bodied swimming, where there is con- siderable evidence on which to base support work. For Beijing alone there are a number of very important issues that must be investi- gated in the near future. Heat tolerance and acclimatisation: there is a high to very high risk of heat illness in Beijing (average September temperatures are lowest 14ºC - highest 26ºC, with humidity at approximately 67%). Air pollution and exercise: Beijing is found within a basin (similar to Los Angeles and Athens), 100km from the coast with low winds and high pollution (141 g/m3 in comparison with Central London: 50g/m3). Anthropometry - popu-

lation-specific equations are needed to cater for the idiosyncrasies of each disability group. Supplementation - could supplements of vitamins C and E aid performance and reduce reactions to high air pollution? Is this safe to take across the disability classification?

CONCLUSION

British Disability Swimming receives high-quality sport science and medicine support through a network of practitioners from the HCIs and the private sector. There is no doubt that this has enhanced the World Class programmes across the board, ensuring our internation- al success. In the future we need to forge closer links between these support providers and the coaches working day-to-day with the swimmers, if the support provision is to become exceptional and second to none in the world.

THE AUTHOR

Clare Pheasey is a BASES accredited applied physiologist and has worked in sport science for 12 years. In 1995 she and Lynn Booth MSCP set up the North West Sport Science and Medicine Support Programme for Sport England. She was also one of the key consul- tants involved in the trialling of the English Institute of Sport prior to its launch in 2001. Clare lectured in the Department of Exercise and Sport Science at Manchester Metropolitan University, Alsager, England for 7 years before taking up full-time employment with British Disability Swimming as their sport science and medicine co- ordinator, leading up to the Athens Paralympics. She is also the lead physiologist for the English Ladies Golf Association, the Ladies Golf Union’s Great Britain and Ireland Squad, and the English Golf Union’s U18s Boys Squad.

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