Sports science is about methods, and not applications of technology

When someone collects data, such as weighing body mass daily before training, recording training videos, or conducting fitness tests, it’s important to recognize that this alone does not automatically qualify as "sports science."

Simply tracking or recording activities, testing speed, or measuring physical strength may not constitute sports science.

These practices, by themselves, are not inherently sports science unless they meet certain fundamental scientific principles. 

Giving a diet plan to an athlete is within the domain of a dietitian or nutritionist, and programming and coaching strength training are typically the responsibilities of strength and conditioning specialists. However, if these professionals do not incorporate sports science methods into their processes, their work cannot be considered scientific or part of sports science.

Even worse, a misuse of technology in training is a growing concern. The key issue is that the mere use of technology in training is often mistaken for sports science. 

While technology can be beneficial, its use does not automatically imply that sports science principles are being applied. Operating advanced tools or machines does not make someone a sports scientist; anyone can learn to use sophisticated equipment with proper training.

Nevertheless, sports science applications require knowledge across various disciplines, including physiology, psychology, biomechanics, nutrition, and training. These fields are essential prerequisites for understanding and enhancing sports performance.

What is sports science?

Sports science is fundamentally about the methods and the associated processes that guide appropriate direction and decision-making in areas such as training and coaching. Sports science emphasizes the importance of:

• scientific principles 
• scientific theories 

Everything in sports science begins with a key starting point: the question.

Naturally, once the question is defined, the search for the answer follows.

However, questions and answers must be connected by a solid bridge - a proper process that includes a reasonable understanding of the subject. This process involves several key steps:

• Literature review - gaining a thorough understanding of the existing knowledge.
• Data collection - ensuring validity and reliability in the methods used.
• Analysis and interpretation - making sense of the data collected.
• Conclusions - drawing meaningful and accurate insights.

Sports scientists typically consider the above process almost instantaneously.

It is therefore crucial that your data collection approach is directly guided by the specific questions at hand; thus, the process of collecting data may not necessarily require sophisticated tools.

Nevertheless, using the right tools for data collection is crucial. Nowadays, wearable technologies are frequently employed in team sports settings, as well as by endurance athletes and others, to measure metrics such as heart rate and distance covered, among others. These tools are constantly utilized by sports scientists to enhance performance analysis.

Additionally, sports scientists evaluate athletes through specific fitness tests, with or without the use of technology, to answer targeted questions or monitor changes in key variables, such as strength, power, body composition, and resilience, as a result of a particular intervention.

The same assessments would be conducted by sports scientists to determine the links between specific fitness qualities and performance, so as to emphasize training intervention accordingly; by addressing performance gaps.

Therefore, before deciding on which technology to use, it’s essential to first establish a clear question and consider the scientific process. What performance issue are you aiming to address? Does it truly require technology, or can it be resolved without it?

The collected data must be interpreted in context, relating it to other relevant information about the athletes, such as health, wellness, injury status, training load, and other test data.

Ultimately, the "answer" derived from this process is expected to support and enhance the training process, providing meaningful insights to assist the coaching staff.

Sports scientists can offer training solutions using scientific methods, but no true scientist can provide instant answers to all training or athlete-related issues. Everything needs to be carefully planned, and there is certain process that must be thoughtfully considered.

Additionally, a "sports scientist" may provide a professional opinion based on experience or scientific knowledge, which reflect his/her specific expertise (e.g., as a trainer, nutritionist, psychologist). Still, if the scientific basis is absent, then what you see cannot be considered genuine sports science.

Who can be a sports scientist? Any individual who consistently applies appropriate scientific methods to enhance athletic or sports performance. This can include a professor, lecturer, CEO, director, manager, technical director, training expert, medical doctor, physiotherapist, physiologist, nutritionist, dietitian, psychologist, technical coach, fitness coach, chemist, or even a student - anyone who is dedicated to using "real science" to improve performance.