Theory of Athletes’ Preparation: Contribution of Eastern Europe and Western Science Schools

Background: In the history of sports science there are two distinctly visible scientific schools – Eastern European and Western – each of which has both strengths and weaknesses.

Aim: To analyze differentiation and integration of achievements of Eastern European and Western schools for the development of athlete preparation theory.

Methods: Qualitative analysis, comparison and generalization of scientific information.

Results: East European sports science is based on the integration of an athlete preparation system and development of appropriate interdisciplinary knowledge. Experts can get unique and authentic material, working directly with elite athletes.

Discussion: Disadvantages of Eastern European sports science are stipulated by a distinctly expressed applied orientation directed to minimizing fundamental research, a superficial attitude to problems requiring serious scientific study and profound comprehensive knowledge. Western sports science is focused primarily on basic biological research serving the military, health, and commercial sports. Self-isolation of Western science is characterized by artificial silencing of Eastern European schools’ achievements, irrational waste of resources for obtaining already existing knowledge, and the inadequacy of accumulated material towards the requirements of elite sport.

Conclusions: In modern sports science the most productive approach is based on differentiation and integration of Eastern schools’ general theory for athlete preparation and fundamental Western science. Implementation of this approach is represented in a two-volume book, entitled System of Athletes’ Preparation in Olympic Sports. General Theory and its Practical Application.