Bowls Australia’s Sport Science Sport Medicine (SSSM) Unit is administered from our offices in Melbourne. The SSSM unit operates to provide Australia’s elite bowling athletes with a competitive advantage on the world stage. The NSW Institute of Sport, RMIT University and the Australian Academic sector are key partners in the sport science program. Major areas of focus are outlines below.

Scientific and medical research and development

Bowls Australia works collaboratively with our SSSM providers in key areas that have been identified with key stakeholders such as our state and territory associations or members of our high performance staff. These areas are designed to benefit athletes in our high performance programs initially, but ultimately all participants in the sport of lawn bowls.
Key areas of research currently being undertaken by the SSSM unit:

• Hydration & cooling strategies for competition in hot humid climates such as India and Malaysia- program partner Nutrition Lab
  Background:
  The research involves the development of a hydration and cooling protocol for international athletes competing at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in India.
• Development of next generation of “cool vests” in conjunction with RMIT University
  Background:
  This research involves working in partnership with RMIT to develop the next generation of cool vests that can be used in competition in hot humid climates.
• A profile of injuries in Australian lawn bowls.
  Background:
  Research current being under taken by Aaron Silk involves profiling injuries sustained by the broad spectrum of lawn bowlers

Technical development of Australia bowls high performance programs

This area addresses the technical infrastructure of high performance programs across the country to enable a consistent approach to tracking talented bowling athletes from the local club to representing Australia. This involves the implementation of standardised fitness assessments, medical and physiotherapy screening protocols on a routine basis. Our SSSM providers meet regular and work with our high performance staff to review data and assess relationships to injury and performance. Benchmarking current practice against world best practice is an important strategy of the SSSM groups.

A key SSSM Unit function is to provide strength and conditioning services to high performance programs in the pathway. This covers the national program, National Youth Program, Silver Tier and emerging athlete programs. Case management of nationally contracted male and female players when sustaining injury ensures athletes receive best practice and treatment continuity. This involves working closely with Australian teams and state association medical and support staff to promote an effective return to play for injured athletes.

Collaboration and communication with the stakeholders

To maximize integration of science and medicine in our high performance program, strong collaborations are required between administrators, team support staff, athletes, scientists and coaches. With this in mind all research and development initiatives are undertaken with a clear understanding of the practical benefits to bowls. Key stakeholders in the Bowls Australia high performance program are important for this objective, with national working partnerships between our state and territory associations representing a vehicle for a national coordinated approach to science and medicine in Australian bowls.