The development of a research department in the French Swimming Federation: a paradigm evolution

Biography

Dr Philippe Hellard is the Director of Research of the French Swimming Federation, Civil servant of the Ministry of Youth Sports and Associative Activities and Assistant to the Technical Director of the French Swimming Federation.

Dr Hellard is also a researcher associated with the National Institute of Sports and Physical Education (INSEP) and a researcher associated with the Institute of Biomedical and Epidemiology Sports Research (IRMES). Dr Hellard is married with two children and lives in France.

Synopsis

The French national swimming team won 66 Olympic and World medals from 1998 to 2013, although it had won only 12 between 1984 and 1998. The growth of the French Swimming Federation’s research department since 1998 has been one of the factors contributing to this success. The development of this department was a complex undertaking for many reasons. First, French swimming coaches and technical staff have not been trained within a scientific culture. Yet they possess extraordinarily diverse skills that in many ways depend on their personalities, personal histories, cultural background and past training experiences. This diversity suggests the widely differentiated and individualised support that they require. Second, the department’s activity is expected to cover the broad range of issues related to training and high-level performance. This has required a multidisciplinary approach and the development of a well-functioning collaborative network. Last, as part of our mandate, the research department is called on to communicate and share our findings with all French territories.