Role of exercise physiologists in talent identification, training and monitoring performance in sports

Abstract

Exercise Physiology is the branch of 'Sports Science', which involves the study of adaptation to exercise. Exercise physiologists monitor the
physical and physiological variables of the sports persons, which are used for talent identification, training, and evaluation of performance.
Sports talent may be identified from young children when they show interest in sports. Proper nutrition and training during the growth
and development phase of life help improve the athletes' performance. Training has to be formulated according to the principles of
periodization to achieve the best possible performance. Long-term training and participating in competitions brought changes within
the sports persons. Regular monitoring of athletes' anthropometric, physical fitness and physiological variables provides valuable
information about their fitness, health, metabolic and cardio-respiratory status. This would enable the coaches to assess the current
status of the athletes and the degree of training adaptability and provide an opportunity to modify the training schedule accordingly
to achieve the desired performance. Exercise physiologists suggest optimal training strategies to enhance athletic performance. The
demand for an athlete's success and fitness awareness within society increases the responsibility of exercise physiologists to optimize
athletes' sports performance, health, and safety.