The Role of Technology in Sports

Question 1

What is sport analytics?

Answer 1

• The practice of applying mathematical and statistical principles to sports.

Question 2

Who benefits from video analysis?

Answer 2

• Observe their teams’ performance
• Identify strengths and weaknesses
• Analyse opposition to counteract strengths and exploit weaknesses
• Evaluate effectiveness of training programmes
• Helps with injury prevention

Question 3

Who benefits from companies that collect and analyse data?

Answer 3

• Removes bias and provide more objective view of what happened during a game
• Performance analysts collect data from all the events happening on the pitch and create relevant metrics through coaches request or their own assessment, to show players and coaches what went well or wrong

Question 4

Who benefits from notational match analysis?

Answer 4

• Used by coaches/sports scientists to gather oobjective data
• Tactics, technique, individual athletes movement and work rate can all be analysed allowing coaches and athletes to learn more about performance and gain competitive advantage
• Ability to provide visual feedback, demonstrate progress and prevent injuries are all possible by making use of video analysis software.

Question 5

Who benefits from biomechanics?

Answer 5

• A biomechanical analysis may help athletes spot potential issues before an injury occurs.
• Atheletes can start to make conscious changes to how they move and ultimately reduce the risk of injury
• Used to look at technique - improve/correct to help performance.

Question 6

What is GPS?

Answer 6

• A global positioning system that used satellites to provide location and time information-tracking data

Question 7

Benefits of GPS

Answer 7

• Track speed achieved, distance run, directions taken and acceleration while measuring HR and recovery time
• Provides precise valid data to help performance
• Measures impact of G forces - player safety is improved
• Coaches make objective decisions about subbing - fatigue/avoid injury
• Manage workload during rehab

Question 8

Disaadvantages of GPS

Answer 8

• Pure data can be misleading
• GPS may be unreliable if not used correctly or data is misinterpreted
• Expensive
• Reliance on tech not initiative
• Equipment may be faulty if not maintained