Case Reports in Sports Science: Sharing Experiences to Help Coaches Better Approach Professional Athletes

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About this Research Topic

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Background

Nowadays, there is still a considerable gap between the scientific evidence and the fundamentals of training methodology adopted in a variety of Olympic disciplines and all professional sports. Sharing a series of Case Reports related to the sport may represent an absolute novelty within the scenario mentioned above. The rationale underlying this Research Topic is the recognition of the fact that varying coaches’ backgrounds and the specific sport exposure make training methodology highly different. To better connect research and an athletes' performance, we need to look deeper into single coach-athlete experiences, tailored and unique methodologies, and/or rehabilitation plans. With a particular focus on highly-ranked athletes, this Research Topic may become a valid database of experiences to be shared amongst trainers and coaches. Its narrative nature will ensure a straightforward message and will generate, for sure, a few debates between coaches-scientists for possible futures "more-complex" research designs.

The submission is open to researchers able to describe, classify and stratify tailored techniques and methodologies, with a clear timeline and an appropriate justification of the case study (why it is so important to share). A few (3- 5) bullet points highlighting the practical implications within the sport debated are also welcomed.

We aim to provide precise, evidence-based information to all coaches that are daily-dealing with the athlete. From the rehabilitation to motivation, across a constant focus on innovation and high-quality training for all motor abilities domains. Looking from this perspective, this Research Topic will be a new product within the Sports Science field with clear rules and targets: the professional coaches.

Within this Research Topic, we are accepting only Case Reports (detailed examination of a particular case) featuring highly ranked athletes. The structure of the manuscript must be as follows: 1. Abstract; 2. Background/Context; 3. Case description; 4. Methodology/Approach to the problem; 5. Results; 6. Discussion; 7. The take-home message in 3/5 bullet points.
1. Figure and illustrations of the case are welcomed.
2. Anamnesis and athletes’ career are mandatories
3. Information related to the annual periodization plan (macrocycle) or short-term approaches focusing on specific competitions is welcomed.

Research Topic Research topic image

Keywords: Olympic athletes, performance enhancement, training methodology, applied science, evidence-based practice

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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