With the Olympic Games set to begin in Paris, associate professor and past Team USA Swimming Physiologist Jaci L. VanHeest discusses contemporary advances and challenges at the Summer Olympics
The Summer Olympics have evolved dramatically over the decades, influenced significantly by technological advancements and various contemporary challenges. Jaci VanHeest, an associate professor of educational psychology in the Neag School of Education and an exercise physiology and sports science expert, has been an advisor to past USA Olympic teams. The Neag School Office of Communications recently connected with VanHeest and delved into the transformative role of technology, the factors contributing to athlete success, and some of the prominent issues surrounding the Games. Here are key insights from the conversation:
How has technology changed the landscape of the Summer Olympics?
According to VanHeest, technology has revolutionized athlete training and performance monitoring. Advances like artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and specialized garment materials allow athletes to train more effectively and understand their bodies in real time. These innovations enhance performance and minimize potential issues such as injuries, thus optimizing athletes' preparation and readiness for competition.
"They're using AI and virtual reality now in their training, and that's neat because we're using it for many different things," VanHeest says. "What's exciting about that is, we're using that sort of high-power computing technology now with athlete training programs."
They're using AI and virtual reality now in their training, and that's neat because we're using it for many different things. What's exciting about that is, we're using that sort of high-power computing technology now with athlete training programs. — Jaci VanHeest
What key factors contribute to athletes' success in the Summer Olympics?
Beyond technological advancements, VanHeest emphasizes several critical factors contributing to athletes' success: appropriate training methods tailored to individuals, advancements in nutrition, mental training, and attention to environmental conditions like heat and hydration.
"Modern athletes benefit from improved support systems and a better understanding of holistic health, allowing them to maintain peak performance over longer careers," she says. "If you know about the history of Johnny Weissmuller (former 1924 Olympian-turned-actor), he became very fascinated with nutrition and the influence of nutrition."
"In the 1920s, Weissmuller went to the Kellogg (cereal) factory and the Kellogg sanitorium, where people were being brought to improve their health by the Kellogg brothers," she says. "A hundred years ago, he was a guy who thought there was more to being a good athlete than how one trains. A lot has changed, but nutrition is still a big part of athletic performance."
Which standout athletes are you following in the Summer Olympics?
VanHeest highlights several athletes for longevity and exceptional performances, including Katie Ledecky, Lily King, Ryan Murphy, Simone Biles, and lesser-known athletes like steeplechaser Valerie Corsey Kanstein. She finds their ability to sustain competitive excellence over the years fascinating in the evolving landscape of Olympic sports.
"With Simone Biles, clearly everyone's looking at her," she says. "Some basketball athletes have returned to the Olympics repeatedly, and some come from UConn!"
How do athletes manage the challenges of rising temperatures at the Olympics?
With the upcoming Games expected to be among the hottest in history, VanHeest shares that adaptive strategies such as geothermal cooling systems in the Olympic Village and athletes' acclimatization techniques will help the athletes stay cool. She notes that while climate change poses challenges, athletes' training in diverse conditions and medical and cooling technology advancements help mitigate these effects.
"France wants the games to be green, so the geothermal technology that allows for cold water to be pumped so the temperatures are lower in the Village housing provides for that to be accomplished," she says. "However, the organizers are giving in. They now allow countries to purchase AC units to help cool their athletes."
What challenges besides temperature are prominent in the Summer Olympics?
Addressing broader concerns, VanHeest mentions ongoing issues like doping scandals that challenge the integrity of the Games. She acknowledges that trust in anti-doping efforts remains a critical issue, highlighting the importance of rigorous testing and transparency in maintaining the Olympics' credibility.
The Summer Olympics continue to evolve with advancements in technology and sports science, enabling athletes to achieve new heights of performance and longevity, notes VanHeest: "While challenges like climate change and doping persist, ongoing innovations and heightened awareness of holistic athlete health are shaping a more resilient and competitive Olympic landscape."
VanHeest is also looking ahead to 2028, when she will work with USA Lacrosse as part of its sports science group. That year will be the first Olympics for lacrosse.
