Please introduce yourself a little. What is your primary research area and role in sport science?
MK: I graduated from Ankara Sports Academy in 1982 with a specialization in wrestling. I have a master’s degree from Gazi University and Middle East Technical University. I earned my doctorate (PhD) degree from department of physical education and sports at Marmara University in 1991 in Istanbul. I worked as a sportsman and a coach at the Sports Club of the Ankara State Water Works between in 1981-1984, and was twice university champion of Turkey in the sport of wrestling. I hold qualifications in gymnastics and weightlifting while in college.
I worked as a teacher of physical education, and later as a research assistant in the department of physical education and sports at Middle East Technical University from 1984-1993. In 1993 I became director of the sports school and head of department of physical education and sports at Firat University, roles I held until 2002. Moving on to Kirikkale Univerisity in 2004, I served as chairman of the department of physical education and sports between until 2010 when I took the role of Dean in the faculty of education.
I have served as a member of several executive boards including the Federation of University Sports, Sport for All, and the Turkish Wrestling Federation, which I also served as chairman of the board of education between 2009-2011.
I have travelled internationally for coaching courses and research to place such as Japan, Scotland, and the United States. My primary research areas are exercise physiology, conditioning, and sport testing.
How much hands on work with athletes do you do as a sport scientist?
MK: Personally, I do much applied work with wrestlers, soccer players, badminton players, and in taekwondo. This has primarily been comprised of fitness testing and strength and conditioning. For my weight-class competitors, hydration testing and nutritional strategies have been especially important.
What was the purpose of your visit to ETSU? Have you visited anywhere else in the US?
MK: Yes I have been to the US before. I went to North Dakota two years ago for a big youth wrestling tournament, which was a very valuable experience. I also plan to go to Michigan to visit Mike Favre, the head of strength and conditioning for Olympic sports at Michigan University. He is one of my best friends from outside my home country, and I have invited him to travel to Turkey to give a seminar on conditioning to elite wrestling coaches. Mike suggested I visit the Stones at ETSU to learn more about strength, power, and conditioning.
The other purpose of my visit was to introduce a newly developed electronic handgrip dynamometer that I have been working with in Turkey. I wanted to collaborate with you and start research on its validity in your laboratory. We need to make sure that it works well and gives accurate measurement. Following this, we are looking to do a reliability study with strength-power athletes.
How is American sport science viewed in Turkey? How does it compare?
MK: We believe there is some very good sport science being done in the US. You have more developed laboratories and equipment than we do in Turkey, which helps your research. Specifically in your lab at ETSU, I have seen that your research is well planned, and your measurements well standardized. I have also seen some excellent collaboration as you work together with coaches and athletes on projects to improve performance and produce research.
What do you feel are some similarities and differences between in how athletes are trained in the US and in Turkey?
MK: There are some similarities in the challenges that we all face. Sport scientists, coaches, athletes, and managers all receive different education, and communication can be an issue between them. Long-term planning of training is not good in my country, and I understand that this can also be an issue in the US. Our sports facilities are not as good as in America, and the support that we give young athletes and their families is not sufficient for optimal performance.
Thanks for answering our questions Dr. Kutlu. It has been very good to have you here with us and we look forward to more collaboration in the future.
MK: I hope that this is the start of a good relationship that will develop and bring benefit both in the US and in Turkey. Again thanks so much to Dr. Stone, Meg Stone, and the team for giving this chance to me. Anyone that wishes to speak to me about any of my projects can contact me at mkutlu@kku.edu.tr.
No comments:
Post a Comment