european college of sport science

OP-PI01 Philosophy and Ethics
discussion is the limited access we still have to observe, measure and to monitor the internal processes involved in our skilled behavior,
and especially those processes that are inaccessible to our conscious mind.
The aim of this paper is to elaborate the phenomenological approach to skilful behavior proposed by Dreyfus and Dreyfus and to give an
account of to what degree their approach may be considered a useful framework for a better understanding of how athletes use their
cognitive capacities during skilful activity. According to Dreyfus and Dreyfus, it seems that beginners make judgments using strict rules
and features, but that with talent and a great deal of involved experience the beginner develops into an expert who sees intuitively what
to do without applying rules and making deliberate judgments at all. Their description of expertise is based on a non-representational
view of the underlying cognitive structures for human behavior. The paper will subsequently examine if Dreyfus and Dreyfus’ approach is
capable of resisting the different attacks that have been made against their view, and in particular regarding the practical application of
their approach to the skill domain of competitive sport. This paper also aims to explore the possible limitations of their description of
highly skilled behavior leading to mastery.
OPERATIVE METHODOLOGY TO USE OF PHYSIOLOGIC FACTORS IN SPORT TRAINING: A PROPOSAL IN COMPLEXITY
PARADIGM
ESTEVES, D., BRÁS, R., O'HARA, K., PINHEIRO, P.
UNIVERSIDADE DA BEIRA INTERIOR
Current research in coaching development infers that coaching is predominantly a decision-making process (Abraham et al., 2006).
Nevertheless, there is a general perception that research in sports science does not meet the needs of coaches (Goldsmith, 2000; Williams
& Kendall, 2007), since is not helping the coaching process, in order to make the best decisions. Consequently, there is a need for a
model of coaching (Abraham et al., 2006). This model should consider the “real world” problems of the training process, taking in account
the complexity of the sport performance phenomena, since in literature on coaching, several authors refer that exist a ‘‘gap’’ between
sports science research and coaching practice (Spinks, 1997; Goldsmith, 2000; Williams & Kendall, 2007 and Midgley et al., 2007).
Under the scope of contributing to minimise that ‘‘gap’’ between research and coaching practice, specially referring to physiologic factors
that impair sport performance, this work proposes an operative methodology that considers (1) the epistemological and methodological
aspects of complexity; (2) the change in understanding the physiologic factors that influence sport performance, required by the complex
approach and (3) a paradigm rupture in training methodology, that allow coaches to use physiologic factors in decision-making process
of the sport training.
References:
ABRAHAM, A., Collins, D., Martindale, R. (2006). The coaching schematic: validation through expert coach consensus. J Sports Sci., 24(6),
549-64.
GOLDSMITH, W. (2000). Bridging the gap? Now there is a gap in the bridge! American Swimming Coaches Association (ASCA) Newsletter,
3, 2 – 4
MIDGLEY, A. W., McNaughton, L. R., Jones, A. M. (2007). Training to Enhance the Physiological Determinants of Long-Distance Running
Performance: Can Valid Recommendations be Given to Runners and Coaches Based on Current Scientific Knowledge? Sports Med.
37(10), 857-880.
SPINKS, W. (1997). Sports research and the coach. Sports Coach, 19, 18 – 19.
WILLIAMS, S. J., Kendall, L. (2007). Perceptions of elite coaches and sports scientists of the research needs for elite coaching practice. J.
Sports Sci., 25(14), 1577 – 1586.
SPORT MEDICINE AND THE ETHICS OF BOXING IN THE AREA OF GENOMICS –
MÜLLER, A.
MAASTRICHT UNIVERSITY
Among others the British Medical Association demands a ban on boxing for several years now (BMA, 1993, 2007). However, such a
request on the basis of the potential health risk for boxers is falling short for ethical and societal reasons (Cowie et al., 2000; Leclerc &
Herrera, 1999). It overlooks other forms of health risks in society in general (e.g. traffic, suicide) and health risk in other sport disciplines in
particular, namely high risk sports such as mountain climbing (Müller, 2008). Furthermore the argument against boxing from a medical
professional’s perspective, such as the duty to heal can not ‘automatically’ override the respect for the athletes’ autonomy which is used
as an argument against the ban of boxing (Beauchamp & Childress, 2001). Thus a sound ethical approach needs to balance the stakeholder’s
views and (ethical) arguments. However, a general ban of boxing is no option for boxers, the reduction of risks is. E.g. the reduction
of the number of rounds, usage of protective head gear, improvement of pre-participation examinations seems desirable form both
sides, i.e. physicians and athletes (Loosemore et al., 2007; McCrory, 2007). But how far can/should preventive measures go? Should
genetic testing (e.g. APOE e4) be part of those risks reduction strategies? (Jordan et al., 1997; Savulescu, 2005; Spriggs, 2004). If such a
test is feasible should it be offered to athletes as a screening, i.e. to asymptomatic boxers or as a test, that means to athletes that already
have a certain family history? What view do stakeholders (such as athletes, coaches, physicians, etc.) hold on this issue? In this paper I
would like address these questions supported by qualitative empirical data (results of interviews and focus groups) of a two-years research
project.
References
Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2001). Principles of biomedical ethics.
British_Medical_Association. (1993). The Boxing Debate.
British_Medical_Association. (2007). Boxing. An update from the Board of Science
Cowie, C., Herrera, C. D., & Leclerc, S. (2000). The ethics of boxing. Br J Sports Med, 34(3), 230-.
Jordan, B. D., Relkin, N. R., Ravdin, L. D., Jacobs, A. R., Bennett, A., & Gandy, S. (1997). Apolipoprotein E epsilon4 associated with chronic
traumatic brain injury in boxing. JAMA, 278(2), 136-140.
Leclerc, S., & Herrera, C. D. (1999). Sport medicine and the ethics of boxing. Br J Sports Med, 33(6), 426-429.
Loosemore, M., Knowles, C. H., & Whyte, G. P. (2007). Amateur boxing and risk of chronic traumatic brain injury. BMJ, 335(7624), 809.
McCrory, P. (2007). Boxing and the risk of chronic brain injury. BMJ, 335(7624), 781-782.
Müller, A. (2008). Risikosport : Suizid oder Lebenskunst? Hamburg.
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ANNUAL CONGRESS OF THE EUROPEAN COLLEGE OF SPORT SCIENCE