qualitative movement analysis

• what is qualitative movement analysis?

  • aka QMA
  • define: systematic observation of human movement for providing intervention to improve performance
  • has four stages: preparation -> observation -> evaluation -> error correction
  • links between skill acquisition and biomechanics
• what is the first stage of QMA?

  preparation

  • gather relecant knowledge to + prepeare for observation stage
  • collect knowledge about performer
  • identify a clear purpose for the analysis
  • identify the key features of the skill
  • identify and organise data collection methods
  • identify how and when the observation will take place
  • consider validity + reliability
• what is validity?

  the tests capacity to measure what it is intended to measure
• what is reliability?

  • ability ro reproduce similar results in similar/identical conditions
  • need the same:
  • procedures
  • equipment
  • environment
  • tester
• what is the second step in QMA?


  observation (actual observation and gathering info. about performer)

  • observing the performer
  • taking notes about the performance
  • video recording the performance
  • two types of observation:
  • direct (real life)
  • not as reliable as the video recording
  • more subjective
  • quick
  • dependant on memory
  • more accessible
  • can't be viewed by athlete
  • video recording
  • replay over and over
  • can slow down video
  • allows athlete to analyse themselves
  • more than one person can review it
• what is the third step of QMA?

  evaluation

  • analyst reviews footage and note to judge quality
  • features of evaluation:
  • identify errors:
  • what is the problem?
  • what is causing the problem?
  • how can the problem be corrected?
• what are some reasons for movement error?

  • psychosocial problem
  • critical ability, strength, endurance, flexibility etc.
  • skill performance deficiencies (technique, perceptual + decision error)
• what is the fourth stage of QMA?

  error correction

  • based on interpretation of data observed
  • feedback is provided to the performer
  • strategies are developed to fix or improve identified problems