Technology

• What is research?

  A systematic process of investigation and study carried out with the aim of advancing knowledge.
• What are sports analytics?

  The analysis of sports data using analytical tools and methods for data to be subjected to analytical procedures in order to try to improve results.
• Use of technology in data collection (quantitative and qualitative, objective and subjective, validity and reliability of data).

  
  

  Quantitive and qualitative data?

  Quantitive data - data which can be written down or measured precisely and numerically.

  
  

  Qualitative data - data which is descriptive and looks at the way people think or feel; it is sometimes less precise and potentially less meaningful than quantitative data. It can also be very time consuming to collect and analyse such data.

  
  

  Qualitative research data is used to try and gain a better understanding of a participants experiences.
• Use of technology in data collection (quantitative and qualitative, objective and subjective, validity and reliability of data).

  
  

  Examples of gathering quantitative data in sport in order to prove a hypothesis being tested?

  In sport psychology, the potential positive link between motivational self-talk and its relationship to improving self-paced skills. Qualitative methodology such as open ended question with focus groups can be used to explore the feelings of anxiety among athletes prior to performance at major sporting competitions.

  
  

  In exercise psychology, research of a quantitative nature could compare the relative effect of different environments on exerciser's moods. In depth interviews could be used to help establish whether more frequent exercisers have a more accurate understanding of their injuries than less frequent exercisers.
• Use of technology in data collection (quantitative and qualitative, objective and subjective, validity and reliability of data).

  
  

  Objective and subjective data?


  Objective data - fact-based information which is measurable and usable (eg. the level achieved on the multistage fitness test which links to a VO2 max score).

  
  

  Subjective data - data based on personal opinion, assumptions, which is less measurable and often less useable.
• Use of technology in data collection (quantitative and qualitative, objective and subjective, validity and reliability of data).

  
  

  Validity and reliability?

  Validity - refers to the degree to which the data collected actually measures what it claims to measure.

  
  

  Reliability - refers to the degree to which data collection is consistent and stable over time.

  
  

  Quantitative research - reliability can be when one researched conducting the same test on the same individual on a number of occasions and getting the same or similar results.

  
  

  Qualitative research - reliability relates to the same researcher placing results into the same categories on different occasions, or different researchers placing results into the same or similar categories.
• Use of technology in data collection (quantitative and qualitative, objective and subjective, validity and reliability of data).

  
  

  How is reliability affected?

  Reliability can be affected by errors that occur when researchers do not know how to use equipment properly.

  
  

  Accuracy can also be affected by poorly maintained equipment which give initial incorrect readings which affect calculations.

  
  

  The validity of data is pre-requisite to data reliability. If data is not valid, then reliability is questionable.
• Video and analysis programmes.


  Coaches and athletes are using video, DVD or digital technology as a medium more frequently to analyse individual technique, as well as team performance.

  
  

  At an individual level, video analysis can also be used to analyse gait and biomechanical ascots of performers, with information gained also potentially able to help in injury rehabilitation.
• Video motion analysis. What is it?

  
  

  What does it involve?

  A technique used to get information about moving objects from video.

  
  

  It usually involves a high speed camera and a computer with software allowing frame by frame playback of the footage on video.
• The process of motion analysis has developed into two distinct sport science disciplines.

  
  

  What are they?

  What do they have in common?

  The process of motion analysis has developed into two distinct sport science disciplines:

  
  

  NOTATION MATCH ANALYSIS - used to record aspects of individual or team performance.

  
  

  BIOMECHANICS - used to analyse the sporting impact of body movements (sometimes called kinematics).

  
  

  They both use measured observation (quantitative) during or after an event to quantify performance in an accurate, reliable and valid way.
• Performance analysis, what is it?

  The provision of objective feedback to a performer who is trying to get a positive change in performance.

  
  

  (feedback can be gained on a variety of performance indicators including; the number of passes made; pass completion success rates, distance run in miles, number of shots attempted, number of shots on target).

  
  

  Important aid to performance enhancement at all levels and failure to use it might result in poor immediate decisions being made, as well as in the longer term in relation to an athlete's training programme.

  
  

  it can help in making correct decisions in competition (immediate) as well as an athletes training programme (long term).
• Performance analysis in a training environment?

  Immediate visual feedback software is useful to provide images pre- and post-training feedback for the athlete and coach to compare.
• Performance analysis in competitive environment?


  The coach and performer might look at the stats of their opponents before discussing the data, alongside other past experiences against this opposition, to come up with a game plan to win using particular strategies/ tactics to outwit their opponents.
• Testing and recording equipment (metabolic cart for indirect calorimetry).

  
  

  What is Indirect calorimetry?

  The measurement of the amount of heat/energy generated in an oxidation reaction by determining the intake or consumption of oxygen or by measuring the amount of carbon dioxide released and translating these quantities into a heat equivalent.

  
  

  A technique where headgear is attached to a subject whilst they breathe for a specific amount of time. Their inspired and expired gas flows, volumes and concentrations of O2 and CO2 are all measured.

  
  

  It therefore involves a continuous measurement of oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production.

  
  

  It is non-invasive and accurate.

  
  

  The equipment used to measure indirect calorimetry is known as a METABOLIC CART.
• Indirect calorimetry - What is measured?

  Inspired and expired gas flows.

  
  

  Volumes and concentrations of O2 and CO2 - oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production.

  
  

  Metabolism - determines energy expenditure.
• Testing and recording equipment (metabolic cart for indirect calorimetry).

  
  

  What is a metabolic cart?


  A device which works by attaching headgear to a subject while they breathe a specific amount of oxygen over a period of time.

  
  

  It is used to measure the body's metabolism through the amount of heat produced when the body is at rest.

  
  

  The metabolic cart uses a process called calorimetry to get this measurement.

  
  

  This measurement is generally measured as resting energy expenditure (REE).
• Testing and recording equipment (metabolic cart for indirect calorimetry).

  
  

  What is calorimetry?

  Measurement of heat/ energy eliminated or stored in any system.
• Testing and recording equipment (metabolic cart for indirect calorimetry).

  
  

  What is REE and what are it's units?

  The amount of energy, usually expressed in Kcal, required for a 24-hour period by the body during rest.
• Testing and recording equipment (metabolic cart for indirect calorimetry).

  
  

  What can affect someones REE?

  Weight: height ratio.

  Overall weight.

  Age

  Gender

  Smoking and drugs such as amphetamines can also increase someones REE.
• Testing and recording equipment (metabolic cart for indirect calorimetry).

  
  

  Indirect calorimetry and use of a metabolic cart can therefore help individuals.....

  
  

  ADVANTAGES

  Determine their energy requirements and response to nutrition over time.

  
  

  To calculate energy expenditure which allows determination of nutritional requirements/ caloric needs.

  
  

  Who are classified as obese.

  
  

  In the calculation of their RE, which helps medical staff determine the amount of food and nutrition needed.
• Testing and recording equipment (metabolic cart for indirect calorimetry).

  
  

  Possible difficulties or sources of error affecting the validity and reliability of using indirect calorimetry via a metabolic cart include...

  
  

  DISADVANTAGES

  Inaccuracies from air leaks.

  
  

  Possible inaccuracies from measurement/ recording errors.

  
  

  Difficult to use on children.

  
  

  Overfeeding/ underfeeding may occur based on results received.

  
  

  Single snap shots are worse than average results / studies over a longer period of time.

  
  

  The process actual measures consumption not needs.
• Use of GPS and motion tracking software and hardware.

  
  

  What does GPS stand for?

  Global Positioning System.

  
  

  - a space-based navigation system that provides location and time information.
• SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE:

  Computer software is any set of machine-readable instructions which direct a computer's processor to perform specific operations.

  
  

  Computer hardware is the physical components of computers.
• Use of GPS and motion tracking software and hardware.

  
  

  Why is GPS software useful for coaches?

  Useful when helping coaches monitor players during matches, as well as training.

  
  

  They track the speed, distance and direction of individuals being monitored.

  
  

  GPS also provides data which helps improve performance via monitoring success rates in technical performance.

  IN high contact sports like rugby it can measure the impact of G forces.

  
  

  It can also help coaches make objective decision about possible substitutions which can decrease the risk of injury as GPS can gauge a performers fatigue level.

  
  

  GPS tracking is also used to measure a players heart rate, recovery time and amount dynamic acceleration.
• Use of GPS and motion tracking software and hardware.

  
  

  A number of reasons can therefore be given for using GPS technology for players performance and work tracking. These include....

  
  

  HOW CAN GPS TRACKING IMPROVE PLAYER PERFORMANCE?


  Makes better use of training time/ ensures training meets game demands.

  
  

  Improves tactical analysis undertaken at a club.

  
  

  Helps a coach to compare player performance and potentially pick the best players for the team based on GPS data.

  
  

  Helps to get injured players successfully through rehab at a faster rate.
• Use of GPS and motion tracking software and hardware.

  
  

  Software and hardware, what are they?


  Computer software is any set of machine readable instructions which direct a computers processor to perform specific operations.

  
  

  Computer hardware is the physical component of computers.
• Use of GPS and motion tracking software and hardware.

  
  

  Examples of GPS software?

  Strava software is just one example of how elite and non-elite athletes alike can import their performance.
• Evaluation of GPS technology and Data.

  
  

  POSITIVES.

  Precise

  
  

  technical

  
  

  provides information to coaches and athletes.

  
  

  portable

  
  

  some readily available

  
  

  during play coaches can identify periods of most intense play.

  
  

  different activity profiles and also if players are getting fatigued.

  
  

  if they have previous reliable data for players, compare player profiles when selecting.
• Evaluation of GPS technology and Data.

  
  

  NEGATIVES.

  GPS is expensive and so is not accessible for all teams.

  
  

  some of the equipment can be unreliable due to issues such as battery life and measurements of distance and speed may be underestimated.

  
  

  GPS systems are not 100% reliable potentially due to satellite location.

  
  

  reliability of the data collected by GPS can be affected by errors that occur when researchers do not known how to use the equipment correctly.

  
  

  the accuracy of the data can also be affected by poorly maintain equipment or cheaper versions of GPS equipment but this may mean accuracy is compromised.

  
  

  GPS will only provide quantitive data which coaches may not understand and can have limited value. Qualitative data also has benefits to managers and coaches when assessing quality of passing for example.
• Monitoring data integrity.

  
  

  What is data integrity?

  Maintaining and ensuring the accuracy and consistency of stored data over its entire lifetime.
• Maintaining data integrity.

  
  

  What is data integrity using sports analytics?

  Refers to the validity of data (ie. its relevance/ meaningfulness).
• Maintaining data integrity.

  
  

  The overall intent of data integrity is to ensure data is entered into the system and recorded exactly as intended and, when retrieved later, to ensure the data is the same as when it was originally recorded.

  
  

  Data integrity can be cinpoomised in a number of ways, including through:

  Human error when data is entered.

  
  

  Errors occurring when data is transmitted from one computer to another.

  
  

  Software bugs or viruses.

  
  

  Hardware malfunction such as disk crashes.
• Maintaining data integrity.

  
  

  Ways to minimise threats to data integrity include...

  Regularly backing up data.

  
  

  Controlling access to data and protecting against malicious intent via security mechanisms.

  
  

  Designing interfaces which prevent the input of invalid data : taking care when entering data.

  
  

  Using error detection and correction software when transmitting data.

  
  

  Not leaving a computer unattended for anyone to access.
• Functions and sports analytics.

  
  

  Use of analytics in the monitoring of fitness for performance

  Analysing data and fitness levels common in high level sport but also in lower levels of performance

  
  

  Gain information to gain information:

  
  

  - individual recreational purposes (HR, calories burnt training for marathon)

  
  

  -elite sport purposes (marathon- distance covered in training, pace, sleep statistics, calorie input and output, HR before during and after exercise).
• Use of analytics in the monitoring of fitness for performance


  Smart wearable fitness and sports devices- device that is worn attached to a performer's body while in use to provide instant feedback on aspects of performance such as distance covered, heart rate, etc.
• Use of analytics in injury prevention vibration

  Vibration therapy used for exercise recovery, injury prevention and rehabilition

  Made directly- applied to affected area

  or indirectly- applied to whole body or body part
• Use of analytics in injury prevention vibration

  
  

  Advantages

  Benefits:

  Improve bone density

  Increase muscles mass/ power

  Improve circulation

  Reduce joint pain

  Reduce back pain

  Alleviate stress

  Boost metabolism

  Reduce DOMS

  Maintenance of cartilage integrity where weight-bearing exercises are difficult
• Vibration technology:

  Aka. Whole body vibration (WBV)


  e.g. use of vibration plates to induce exercise effects on body.
• Use of analytics in injury prevention electrostimulation

  Electrostimulation-

  the production of muscle contraction using electrical impulses
• Use of analytics in injury prevention electrostimulation.

  
  

  What does it do?

  Can increase strength and power and improve recovery time by expelling lactic acid

  
  

  Stimulate muscles and help promote blood flow during warm up

  
  

  Gentle external electrocution of muscles to stimulate them

  
  

  Reproduces what brain does when muscles are voluntarily contracted

  
  

  Send small shocks to muscles without affecting CNS or brain

  
  

  Prevent muscle atrophy

  
  

  Important not to over-use