Outgoing AIS Chief Scientist Australian sport science, Professor Allan Hahn left the AIS on 16 September after more than 27 years service to the ASC and the Australian sport.

Allan will still have an involvement with the AIS through his appointment as Emeritus Professor. 

Dr Jodie Richardson covers this story about Professor Hahn’s distinguished career at the AIS as a pioneer of Australian sports science.

Reflections of Professor Allan Hahn on the role of technology in high-performance sport by Dr Jodi Richardson

From the humble beginnings of Douglas Bag gas analysis, to contemporary research including the potential uses of an elastomeric flea protein in sports technology; Professor Allan Hahn has seen it all.

In his time at the AIS, Professor Hahn describes sports technology as having a powerful influence over the entire high-performance athlete development process. He likens the development of high-performance athletes to the product development practices in other industries. The parallels in this clever analogy illustrate that the processes are indeed comparable and give a tangible breakdown of the many aspects to athlete development and the role sports technology plays in each step. Professor Hahn emphasises that at all levels, from club athletes through to international competitors; the aim is to develop, refine and promote winning products.

Beginning with the determination of necessary product characteristics Professor Hahn begins by asking the question, what characteristics set winners apart from others? To that end, sports technologies play a significant role in the measurement of the physiological and biomechanical parameters crucial to high-performance in any sport. Techniques including VO2 maximum testing, genotyping, mathematical modelling of performance; and devices such as force plates and GPS, provide important evidence based determination of the characteristics of an elite athlete.

Once these characteristics have been established, it follows that raw materials (also known as athletes) need to be sourced to meet these specifications. Professor Hahn notes that technologies such as dynamometers, ergometers, strain gauges and angle sensors like those used in rowing are useful in the process of recognising high-quality raw materials (talent). He adds too that communications technology now enables fast information transfer about prospective national talent.

The next step in the process is the testing and refining of the product. This involves a range of technologies related to skill development; improved decision making; physiological capacity; performance analysis; as well as injury and illness prevention for maximising the yield where new technologies are being developed to enable rapid assessment of immunological status and athlete tracking.

As an athlete progresses into the refining production phase, sports technologies continue to complement other critical factors for high-performance athlete development, like quality coaching.  Professor Hahn refers to this phase as providing the best equipment, clothing and training environment. Athletes now have access to simulated altitude training, cooling vests, highly engineered equipment and scientifically advanced materials for race wear.

The final steps in the process include product release which refers to the competing of an athlete in the Olympic Games or World Championships. This is followed closely by the objective monitoring of performance outcomes in competition. Sports technology is integral to this process. 

As marketplace competition is becoming ever more intense, Professor Hahn explains that remaining at the forefront requires continual improvements in product quality and efficiency of production. This means getting maximum benefit for investment on developing athletes. He adds that a greater breadth and depth of expertise must be brought to the athlete development process.

’Sports science has greatly expanded beyond the traditional biomechanics, physiology and nutrition, where all sorts of people with unique expertise are now contributing.  Through our link with the CSIRO, a group of academics working on automotive components is now working on bicycle components; also through the CSIRO we have been talking to a scientist working on isolating the protein resilin from fleas which has tremendous capabilities for shock absorption.’

Though the application of sports technology was once confined to athlete development, it now extends across many aspects of sport. Adjudication has forever changed with the advent of hot spot technology in cricket, and the use of Hawk-Eye in tennis and cricket to project the likely trajectory of the ball. Technology is also being used to improve media coverage of sport and to detect doping.

Professor Hahn contemplates his experience with technology during his time at the AIS.

‘Technology has played a constant role, not just in the AIS but also in community adoption of sports technology, for example Polar Heart Rate monitors sold in sports equipment stores. It has been constantly in the background, to improve laboratory and field measurements, and equipment. It has been a constant undercurrent throughout the whole time, Professor Hahn said.

Reflecting on AIS success stories over nearly 28 years, Professor Hahn has many experiences and developments to consider. He describes early talent identification work as a real success, providing a basis for current practices. He added the innovation of cooling vests was another great success, although the technology has been largely superceded by internal cooling strategies. 

Other accomplishments include the development of a test for Erythropoietin (EPO) doping and the early work of Dr Bruce Mason and other AIS Biomechanists in quantifying performance in Swimming. The development of the Technology Pool and swimming suits as well as advances in microtechnology like that used in GPS devices are also success stories over Professor Hahn’s AIS career. 

Looking to the future of sports technology at the AIS, Professor Hahn’s acumen is testament to his many years of experience.

’To enable really cutting edge technology development there has got to be a preparedness to take some risks, but with the best of intentions and due diligence, the very nature of cutting edge work means that you might come across hurdles that are insurmountable. You have to be an organisation with a willingness to try and the knowledge that some of the things you try might not work.

Further to this Professor Hahn sees that collaboration is a critical aspect of an environment conducive to great technological developments. He comments that there are so many people with great ideas. You have to be prepared to explore these ideas and work with other people to realise them. The breaking down of boundaries between disciplines is also an area where he sees that improvements can be made.

Lastly, Professor Hahn emphasises that the provision of thinking time for people who are involved in innovation is crucial.

Professor Hahn has been described as the Grandfather of Australian Sports Science and a true visionary. A learned, friendly and humble man, he will be greatly missed. In his departure however, he leaves a legacy of innovation and a challenge for those who follow to keep the AIS at the forefront of technological advances in sport.