UNDERSTANDING OF TECHNOLOGY FOR SPORTS ANALYTICS

Question 1

What is research?

Answer 1

A systematic process of investigation and study carried out with the aim of advancing knowledge.

Question 2

What is sports analytics?

Answer 2

Studying data from sports performances to try to improve performance.

Question 3

What is Quantitative data?

Answer 3

Data that can be written down or measured precisely and numerically.

Question 4

What is Qualitative data?

Answer 4

Data that are descriptive and look at the way people think or feel.

Question 5

What is Objective Data?

Answer 5

Fact-based information which is measurable and usable (e.g. the level achieved on the multi-stage fitness test which links to a V)2 max score)

Question 6

What is subjective data?

Answer 6

Information based on personal opinion, which is less measurable and often less usable.
For example, more opinions, emotions and beliefs.

Question 7

What is Validity?

Answer 7

An indication of whether the data collected actually measure what they claim to measure.

Question 8

What is Reliability?

Answer 8

Refers to the degree to which data collection is consistent and stable over time.

Question 9

What is Video motion analysis?

Answer 9

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

Can lead to improving your performance while also looking at your biomechanics (movement).

Question 10

What is Notational match analysis?

Answer 10

Notational match analysis is used to record aspects of individual/team performance. It takes place through the study of movement patterns, strategy and tactics in a variety of different sports. It is used by coaches he’s and sport scientists to gather objective data on the performance of athletes.

Question 11

What is Biomechanics?

Answer 11

Biomechanics is used to analyse the sporting g impact of body movements. It involves quantitative-based study and analysis of sports activities. It is sometimes called kinematics - the study of the motion of bodies with respect to time, displacement, velocity and speed of movement.

Question 12

What is Performance analysis?

Answer 12

The provision of objective feedback to performers trying to effect a positive change in their performance. Feedback can be gained on a variety of performance indicators, including the number of passes made, distance run in km, number of shots attempted etc.

Question 13

What is GPS (global Positioning system)?

Answer 13

A space-based navigation system that provides location and time information?

Question 14

What is software?

Answer 14

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

Question 15

What is G forces?

Answer 15

Forces acting on the body as a result of acceleration or gravity (e3.g) the G-load/force of an American football ‘hit’ on an opponent)

Question 16

What are GPS’s used for?

Answer 16

1 - It helps to get injured players through rehabilitation at a faster rate.
2 - it improves tactical analysis undertaken at a club.
3 - It makes better use of training time, to ensure training meets the game demands.
4 - It helps a coach compare player performance and potentially pick the best player for the team based on GPS data.

Question 17

What is data Integrity?

Answer 17

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

Question 18

What is Hardware?

Answer 18

Computer hardware is the physical components of computers.

Question 19

How can data Integrity be compromised?

Answer 19

Human error when data is entered

Software bugs or viruses

Taking care when entering date

Not leaving a computer unattended for unauthorised individuals to access

Regularly backing up data

Hardware malfunctions such as disk crashes.

Using error detection and correction software when transmitting data.

Not leaving a computer unattended for unauthorised individuals to access.

Question 20

Why would you use sports analytics?

Answer 20

It is about gathering new meaningful statistical information on player performance and/or game details. It is three important to consider how this information can be synthesised and summarised into ket points.

Question 21

How can you use sports analytics to help with Talent ID/scouting?

Answer 21

Can be used to provide qualitative data on individual performers in a range of different sports, for example through written scouting reports commenting on opposition players and/or feedback from players being watched with a view to recruiting them onto a Talent ID programme.

Technology can be used for systematical profiling and benchmarking the effectiveness of performance pathways across Olympic and Paralympic sports. Talent ID programmes have developed over the years, linking to specific technical, physiological and psychological requirements of different sports.

Data needs to be systematically gathered and analysed so it can be used as effectively as possible in identifying the best, most talented athletes who are the ‘most likely’ to succeed at elite level.

Question 22

Development of equipment and facilities in physical activity in sport.

Answer 22

More adaptive and technology is being created for disabled people to participate in sport on a recreational level.

Similarly, there is more advanced technology for Paralympic athletes such as wheelchair basketball, throwing frames for sports such as discuss and shootout. Likewise, wheelchairs are an important and assistive technology type to enable people to participate in technology to make sports more inclusive.

Creates more equality and gives more people opportunities. Such as, carbon flex fibre and new developments in wheelchair technology are giving the quality of sport much greater. Similarly, prospective legs are being created to improve track events such as sprinting and long distance running.

Question 23

Technology and facility development

Answer 23

Places People Play is initiative delivered by Sport England in partnership with the British Olympic Association. It aims to deliver on the Olympic and Paralympic legacy promise to increase sports participation by providing sports facilities for the local community to access and use.

Iconic facilities is part of this initiative, designed to transform the places people use to play sport in towns, cities and villages across the country, It directs funds into a small number of ‘best practice’ strategic facility projects designed to increase mass participation.

Question 24

What does 3G surface mean?

Answer 24

Third - generation artificial synthetic grass covering for pitches etc.

Question 25

Why is 3G good?

Answer 25

Gives consistent playing surface
Allow high levels of use in a wide variety of sports and are ideal for sports such as hockey, football and rugby.

Question 26

What are some of the negatives of 3G?

Answer 26

Sometimes the bounce of the surface is not true to the grass.
Similarly, there is less ‘give’ meaning impact Injuries with the ground are more likely, also ligament tears and strains are more likely.

It is also very expensive to implement so not everyone can afford to implement one.

Question 27

What is the impact of technology on sport?

Answer 27

Technology can have a positive impact on sport such as improved participation levels.
Likewise improving equipment for the performers to improve their training levels.

However, there are some negatives. Pure data may be misleading at times, for example if a performer has not covered many metres in a game but the tactics and game content are such that it does not require them to do so.
It can also be expensive meaning inequalities between teams might exist.
Can lead to ‘paralysis by analysis’. Players and coaches might become too reliant on data to inform their decision making and unable to react creatively and instantly to on-field problems or issues as they occur.
Can also have a placebo effect. Athletes simply gaining increased confidence by using equipment even though it may have limited scientific proof to support it.

Question 28

What is the impact of technology of the performer?

Answer 28

Improved clothing/footwear which can be lead to improved performance, for example bodysuits used by athletes have helped sprinted increase their speed (their use in swimming was a little more controversial as they led to some dramatic performance improvements, with several world records being broken in a short space of time following their introduction).

Improved sports eqiupment

Improved protective equipment - less injuries.

Improved recovery from training

Improved recovery from injury and rehabilitations

Detailed scientific analysis of performance Via GPS data.

Improved sleep enabling appropriate rest and recovery from training.

Question 29

What is compression clothing?

Answer 29

Items such as elasticated leggings, socks or shirts worn to promote recovery by improving circulation. They can decrease the pain suffered from muscle.e soreness/stiffness and decrease the time for muscle repair.

Question 30

What are the potential negatives of technology on the performer?

Answer 30

It can lead to injury or over-aggression, for example from bladed boots or due to the use of protective equipment which makes some performers feel invincible or less inhibited.

It can lead to cheating, as drugs are taken by the athletes as they belie they can get away with it.

It can be expensive and unaffordable meaning inequality can occur as some people may not be able to access it causing a big disadvantage to that individual.

The availability of technology advances aiding performance might be dependant on an individual or team sponsor, which might positively or negatively impact the chances of success.

Question 31

Impact of technology on the coach?

Answer 31

Technology can give a more detailed analysis of performance for coaches. Video analysis of matches enables an assessment of player performance tactically, technically and physiologically. For example, an in depth technical analysis can be instantly gained through such programs as Dartfish and Prozone. This information can can help a coach develop a more focused training program which is designed to improve on any weaknesses identified.

However, there are some negatives such as technology can prove hindrance if there is in over - emphasis on performance analysis data. Similarly, software can be hacked by other people meaning data leaks can occur and information given to others is possible.

Question 32

Technology on audience and spectators.

Answer 32

Can give people an inside into the game on a professional level giving them a deeper understanding for people such as fans and spectators.

Ensured the right decisions are reaches, less frustration at incorrect decisions.

Helps officials communicate with one another and the players, which the audience can sometimes hear (e.g. in rugby matches)

More accurate timing and distances achieved are quickly communicated to the audience (e.g. via big screens in the stadium)

There is increase excitement in the audience as they wait decisions.

Question 33

Disadvantages of technology on the audience and spectators?

Answer 33

There may be a loss of respect in the crowd for the official as the ‘final decision maker’

Costs ;limit the use of technology at events, which can give an inconsistent experience to spectators, as well as performers.

Breaks in play can be disruptive for spectators if decisions take too long or there is an over-reliance on technology which leads the official to over-use it. Can cause frustration between the fans.

Question 34

What is the metabolic cart?

Answer 34

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

Question 35

What is a calorimetry?

Answer 35

The measurement of the heat and energy eliminated or stored in any system.

Question 36

What is a indirect calorimetry?

Answer 36

The measurement of the heat and energy generated in an oxidation reaction (i.e a reaction where oxygen is gained)

Question 37

What is resting energy expenditure (REE)?

Answer 37

The amount of energy, usually expressed in kcal, required for a 24-hour period by the body during rest.

Question 38

What is Electrostimulation?

Answer 38

The production of muscle-contraction using electrical impulses.

Question 39

What is electrostimualtion used for?

Answer 39

Strengthening and toning the muscle

Helping to prevent losses in fitness levels via application to specific muscle groups, which maintains muscle tone during periods of inactivity.

Assisting in rehabilitation through the gradual strengthening pf injured or weakened muscles via small incremental increase in workload on the muscle.

Helping to get rid of lactic acid after a training session or competition, as well as decreasing muscle tension and potential injury by providing a relaxing effect to muscles.