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Sports Science: The Game-Changer in Modern AthleticsIn the relentless pursuit of athletic excellence, sports science has emerged as an indispensable tool, transforming the way athletes train, recover, and perform. From heart rate monitors to 3D modeling, cutting-edge technologies are providing unprecedented insights into the human body, enabling athletes to optimize their performance and push the boundaries of human potential.Indian athletes are embracing this scientific revolution, with weightlifter Mirabai Chanu using bio feedback to tailor her training intensity. Table tennis legend Sharath Kamal has relied on heart rate monitoring for decades, customizing his regimen to the latest advancements in sports science. At the Inspire Institute of Sports, javelin champion Neeraj Chopra is working tirelessly to increase his strength by 10-15%, using data-driven analysis to fine-tune his technique.In table tennis and archery, robots are sparring with the world's best, providing real-time feedback and helping athletes refine their skills. Stable jackets in shooting ranges enhance rifle scores, while experts simulate match tension to prepare athletes for the pressure of competition.Data sets, analyzed by a combination of human and machine intelligence, form the core of modern athletic preparation. Parameters like VO2 max, lactates, and electrolyte balance are readily available, enabling athletes to train with precision and avoid overexertion.The US swim team is taking sports science to new heights with Professor Ken Ono, who uses mathematics to create 3D models of athletes and suggest performance-enhancing adjustments. Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality are poised to revolutionize sports further, providing immersive training experiences and pattern recognition tools.While India is still catching up with the latest technologies, sports science is gaining traction. Former strength and conditioning coach Ramji Srinivasan emphasizes the need for "Indianizing" training plans to account for body type and genetics. Samuel Pullinger, head of sports science at IIS, stresses the importance of data collection and regular assessments to track athlete progress.Integrating sports science into Long Term Athlete Development Plans is crucial, according to Srinivasan. Athletes need to be comfortable with technology and understand its benefits. Resistance to data sharing and skepticism about new methods can hinder progress, as seen in the case of some Indian shooters.

How Indian Athletes Cope with Pre-Competition Pressure at Paris OlympicsAs the Indian contingent prepares to kick off their campaign at the Paris Olympics, athletes are employing various strategies to manage the immense pressure and external distractions that come with competing on the world's biggest sporting stage.Abhinav Bindra, India's first individual Olympic gold medalist, emphasizes the importance of accepting the pressure rather than fighting it. "The best way to deal with the pressure is to stop fighting it. Just accept it and you'll be fine," he advises.Manu Bhaker, who experienced a disappointing performance at the Tokyo Games, has adopted a more relaxed approach this time around. "I am more relaxed. I am not telling myself, 'do this, do that,'" she says. She finds solace in playing the violin, journaling, and reading.Rhythm Sangwan, another pistol shooter, uses music to create her own zone. "It helps me find my zone. I might even curate a playlist for Paris," she says.Boxer Nikhat Zareen has chosen to disconnect from social media and focus solely on her training. "It's better to avoid distractions. I have cut down on my public appearances and I will soon disappear from social media too. Paris is my sole focus," she says.Rafael Nadal's pre-match cold shower ritual is a testament to the power of habits in helping athletes stay focused. "It helps me enter a new space in which I feel my power and resilience grow," he writes in his autobiography.Staying in the moment is crucial for athletes to shut out the noise. "Embrace the moment rather than succumb to it because a night before the final, all the talk about confidence and technique goes out of the window," says Bindra.Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic and world champion, believes in staying away from the distractions of home. "Over-reliance on a particular routine can be counterproductive because you won't find that curated atmosphere all the time," says his physiotherapist, Ishaan Marwaha.PV Sindhu, a two-time Olympic medalist, found peace and quiet in Saarbrucken in the lead-up to the Olympics. "I can focus better," she says.Ultimately, each athlete has their own unique way of coping with the pressure of the Olympics. But one thing is clear: the ability to find their zone and shut out the noise will be essential for success in Paris.