Chapter 8 - Data Collection and Activity Analysis

Question 1

What is an activity analysis?

Answer 1

An activity analysis is the collection of data while watching a particular sport. It can also be called a games analysis.

Generally, the main purpose of activity analysis is to determine how performance might be improved.

It should be the first step of designing a training program (and is often forgotten about!).

Question 2

Why is Activity Analysis used?

Answer 2

Analysis is used to better understand specific physiological requirements such as

• Energy system contribution and interplay during different parts of the game
• Major skills performed and related muscle groups requiring conditioning
• Likely causes of fatigue, and recovery strategies

Question 3

What are the 4 key aspects related to games analysis

Answer 3

• Physical (physiologival requirements of performance and recovery
• Mental (Physiological skills training and performance under game pressures)
• Technical (Successful performance of skills under pressure)
• Tactical (decision making skills and game sense ability to ‘read the play’)

Question 4

WHat are the typical information gathered from direct observation?

Answer 4

• Type of movement being made by players
• Use of the playing area and location of the ‘hot spots’
• Repeated actions and set team plays, for both the teama nd the opposing team
• Playing intensities and ability to sustain high-intensity efforts
• Frequency and accuracy of skills
• Key actions and associated muscles called upon.

Question 5

What are the 3 ways to collect data

Answer 5

There are many different ways to collect data. These include:

• Direct Observation
• Statistical Recording
• Digital Tracking/Recording

Question 6

Direct Observation

Answer 6

• Most common (used by coaches)
• Allows for immediate action
• Can observe effectiveness of strategies
• Can be subjective/biased
• No stats
• Can be difficult to watch multiple players

Question 7

Statistical Recording

Answer 7

• Usually used with direct observation
• More objective/unbiased
• Able to compare with past data
• Can be time consuming
• Requires training and technology

Question 8

Digital Tracking/Recording

Answer 8

• Includes GPS tracking and ‘eye-in-the-sky’ technology (overhead camera)
• Used by elite clubs
• Can measure intensity
• Can be expensive and requires experts

Question 9

Movement Patterns

Answer 9

• Usually recorded with a GPS, can be done with video
• Highlight the distance that a player covers
• Can be very useful when combined with intensity data to identify fatigue
• Can be used to identify common movements within the sport
• For example, in netball, there may be a lot of 10m sprints but very few 30m+ sprints

Question 10

Types of Direct Observation and Statiscal Recording

Answer 10

• Movement Patterns
• Playing intensities and work to rest calculations
• Skill Frequencies

Question 11

Intensity and W:R Ratios

Answer 11

• Intensity is best measured through Heart Rate (HR) data, as there is a linear relationship
• Needs to be measured as regularly as possible to give a true reflection of intensity (best done through a wearable HR monitor)
• Work-to-rest ratios give an indication of how much time an athlete spends ‘working’ compared to time they spend resting
• Need to decide exactly what classifies as work and what classifies as rest
• W:R ratios for a sport should then be replicated in training for that sport
• Often works out at roughly 1:3

Question 12

Advantages and Disadvantages of Direct Observation

Answer 12

Advantages
- Immediate Changes
- Fatigue easily observed
-Maximize player efficacy via rotations
Disadvantages
- Subjective or opinion based
- No way to show players how the performed
- Rely on memory
- Pace of game may be too fast
- DIfficult to observe multiple players

Question 13

Advantage and Disadvantages of Direct Observation and Statisical Recording

Answer 13

Advs
-Discuss performance for objectively
- Data stored and referred to in the future
- Player or performance profiles easier to establish
Disadv
- Training for observers is required prior to accurate recording
- It is difficult to view and record what is happening at the same time
- Labour Intensive
- Guessing needed if players are to far away

Question 14

Advantage and Disadvantages of Digital Recording

Answer 14

Advs
-Data stored and referred to in the future
- Data can be manipulated and transmitted easily
- Data readily downloadable
Disadvs
- Expensive
- Technical Expertise often needed

Question 15

Advantages and Disadvantages of Heart-rate moniter

Answer 15

Advs
- Inexpensive
- Unobtrusive and doesn’t interfere with performance
- Creates accurate collection of playing intensities
Disadvs
- Waterproof models are expensive
- Interference by nearby digital transmitters
- Delays in real time signals
- Data may need to be downloaded after event is finished, if the receiver is not close

Question 16

Advantages and Disadvantages of GPS

Answer 16

Advs
- Combines movement patterns with intensities
- Easily determines players who are fatiguing and players whose efforts are dropping in intensity
Disadvs
- Limited numbers
- Limited contextual info
- Some models uncomfortable

Question 17

Advantages and Disadvantages of Filming, Eye in the Sky Technology

Answer 17

Advs
-Everyplayer is visible for duration of the game
- Allows playes to be monitered when off the ball
- Increases spectators understanding and following of the game
Disadv
- Expensive to set up and requires many operators to use the many cameras or recorders

Question 18

Skill Frequencies

Answer 18

• Usually measured in a chart or table
• Measures the common skills preformed by a player and how often they are performed
• For example, in AFL, a skill frequency chart might measure kicks, handballs, marks, tackles etc.
• This helps to identify the specific skills (and therefore the specific muscle groups) that should be targeted throughout training

Question 19

Types of Digital Recording

Answer 19

• Video
• HR Moniters
• GPS
• ‘Eye in the Sky’