Knowt
Performance Analysis
1.1 Introduction to Performance Analysis
Performance Analysis: A systematic assessment and evaluation of athletes' sports performances.
It aims to objectively identify an athlete’s strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement to enhance performance.
It allows monitoring of an athlete's progress over time.
It plays a role in injury prevention and management by analyzing movement patterns and biomechanics where analysts can identify potential injury risks and develop strategies to mitigate them.
Provides a competitive advantage for athletes and teams by identifying opportunities to gain an edge over their opponents and enhance their chances of success in competition.
It helps coaches and athletes know valuable information that is used to make a much-informed decision.
For example, by identifying patterns and trends in athlete’s performance data, coaches can adjust training methods, game strategies, and individual tactics to optimise performance.
1.2 Observing and Analysing Performance
Analysis of Movement and the Three-Movement Phases
Biomechanics: the study of human movement including the interaction between the participant and equipment. It explains how and why the body moves.
There are various methods used to analyse movement. One used often by coaches and sports scientists is the analysis of movement phases.
Three-Movement Phases
Preparation: The movements an athlete makes while preparing to perform the skill.
Execution: The movements made while performing the main part of the skill.
Recovery: The movements that allow an athlete to regain balance and/or position after performing the skill.
Types of Analysis (Analysis may focus on the following during each movement phase)
Timing
Power
Body Position
Head Position
Arm/Hand Position And Movements
Leg/Foot Position And Movements
Effect On The Results
Identifying Strengths and Areas For Improvement
Video Analysis: The systematic examination of video footage to evaluate players' performance, team dynamics, and the effectiveness of strategies employed during a game.
It can easily be done with a simple video.
Efficient for analysis as it supports playback, slow motion and simultaneous examples, of your own or exemplary performances, and it helps to provide accurate feedback.
It helps coaches and performers to fully identify the strengths and areas for improvement of an athlete's performance.
Data Collection and Analysis
The video analysis can provide both quantitative and qualitative data.
The collected data can be compared to previous performances to provide context for evaluation. Identify areas where the athlete or team has its strength and areas where performance falls short (areas for improvement).
Data can be presented to provide feedback and monitor an athlete's progress by assessing the effectiveness of interventions and tracking performance improvements.
1.3 Evaluating Performance Through Training Programmes In Sport
Aims of Training Programmes
With the collected performance data, coaches evaluate them to develop a more effective training programme that helps the athlete to improve.
Enhances both athlete’s performance and coaching effectiveness.
Improves team strategies.
Facilitates continuous improvement in skills, fitness, or both.
Key components of skills;
Agility: flexibility and speed
Balance: maintaining position;
Static (in one place)
Dynamic (while moving)
Co-ordination: synchronisation of actions;
Body (eyes and hands or feet)
Objects (hitting a tennis ball with the racket)
Timing: doing movement at the right time;
Reaction: Instant response to something.
Decision: Choosing when to respond.
Key components of fitness;
Strength: weight resistance;
Dynamic: Ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time.
Explosive: Ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time.
Static: Ability to hold a pose without movement.
Speed: Ability to move quickly.
Stamina: Ability to sustain prolonged physical or mental effort. (Cardiovascular Endurance)
Suppleness: Quality of being able to bend easily or be bent easily. (Flexibility)
1.4 Planning Strategies, Tactics And Practices
Technology is also used to evaluate and improve performers' strategies and tactics.
Strategies: The overall plan or approach adopted by a team to achieve specific objectives during a match or competition.
It encompasses broader concepts such as formation, style of play, and long-term goals.
In analysis, strategies are evaluated by the effectiveness of how the team executes their game plan.
In planning, the key elements of sports strategy shall be considered;
Tactical Analysis
Team Formation
Game Plan
In-game Adjustments
Performance Evaluation
Tactics: Actions and strategies planned to achieve an overall objective and/or win.
Involve adjustments made during a match in response to the opponent's actions or changing game situations.
In analysis, the tactic is analysed by examining how well players adapt to different situations and execute specific plays.
In planning, the main things to consider are;
Who is doing what and when?
How space is being used?
What is happening on and off the ball?
What works or doesn't work and why?
Tactical Awareness: The ability to identify tactical problems that arise during a game and to respond appropriately.
Practices: Activities that are designed to help a person acquire a new skill, improve their skill, or maintain a skill.
Types of Practices
Individual Practice
Team Practice
Officiating and the Use of Technology
Technology is well-known and used by officials to make accurate officiation. It often supports an official too;
Communicate (Instant Replay)
Confirm if a foul or violation has been committed.
Keep the score accurate.
Player Tracking and Performance Analysis
Confirm if a ball or player is still in play.
Judge which athlete finished in which place.
Measure heights, distances and times.
Timing Systems
Keep time (including stoppage time).
1.5 Performance Analysis and Evaluation
Performance Analysis and Evaluation (PAE): A systematic process of assessing and critiquing the performance of athletes, teams, or individuals in sports.
It is designed to meet the specific needs of an individual athlete.
Components in Completing Performance Analysis and Evaluation
Introduction (Provide an overview of the purpose and objectives of the performance analysis)
Aim – general skill or fitness to improve for a specific sport and why.
Profile – Name, age, sex, performance level, and experience of the individual undergoing PAE.
Overview of Training Programme – Duration, frequency and type.
Baseline Tests
Summarization of measurement tests used and the test results of current skill and fitness components.
Evaluation of strengths and weaknesses
Summarized test results determining the strengths and areas to improve.
Priority areas for this PAE
Specification of the skill and/or fitness components to be improved.
Setting a goal for each SMART component. (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time-bound)
Training Plan
Details of the training plan following the principles of training.
Detailed monitoring and adjustments and evidence of principles of training.
Results
Results according to the baseline tests.
Evaluation
Identify patterns, trends, and correlations within the data to gain insights into factors influencing performance outcomes.
Determine the effectiveness of the training programme in improving the specified components.
Identify how to maintain, extend or improve the training programme.
How to Evaluate a Performance Analysis and Evaluation
Establish the Baseline
Know the starter level of a performer by measuring the initial skill or fitness components that they are aiming to improve.
Monitor Progress
Take re-tests at regular intervals to determine performance progress. This is depending on the training program duration.
If there is no progress, the training programme may need to be redesigned or adjusted.
Record and Present Data
Recorded data is needed to easily monitor progress and enhancements within a period.
Recorded data may also be used to compare performance results from one another.
Compare Results
The performance results of every performer is useful in checking the appropriate progress.
Comparisons must be done sensitively by focusing on personal improvement.
Evaluate Impact
A post-performance analysis and evaluation test will show the impact of the training programme on a performer.
It helps the performers determine whether they acquired the effect that they were aiming for, to choose whether to train more for initially chosen components or now focus to a new one, or undergo a new training programme for the same components.
Performance Analysis
1.1 Introduction to Performance Analysis
Performance Analysis: A systematic assessment and evaluation of athletes' sports performances.
It aims to objectively identify an athlete’s strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement to enhance performance.
It allows monitoring of an athlete's progress over time.
It plays a role in injury prevention and management by analyzing movement patterns and biomechanics where analysts can identify potential injury risks and develop strategies to mitigate them.
Provides a competitive advantage for athletes and teams by identifying opportunities to gain an edge over their opponents and enhance their chances of success in competition.
It helps coaches and athletes know valuable information that is used to make a much-informed decision.
For example, by identifying patterns and trends in athlete’s performance data, coaches can adjust training methods, game strategies, and individual tactics to optimise performance.
1.2 Observing and Analysing Performance
Analysis of Movement and the Three-Movement Phases
Biomechanics: the study of human movement including the interaction between the participant and equipment. It explains how and why the body moves.
There are various methods used to analyse movement. One used often by coaches and sports scientists is the analysis of movement phases.
Three-Movement Phases
Preparation: The movements an athlete makes while preparing to perform the skill.
Execution: The movements made while performing the main part of the skill.
Recovery: The movements that allow an athlete to regain balance and/or position after performing the skill.
Types of Analysis (Analysis may focus on the following during each movement phase)
Timing
Power
Body Position
Head Position
Arm/Hand Position And Movements
Leg/Foot Position And Movements
Effect On The Results
Identifying Strengths and Areas For Improvement
Video Analysis: The systematic examination of video footage to evaluate players' performance, team dynamics, and the effectiveness of strategies employed during a game.
It can easily be done with a simple video.
Efficient for analysis as it supports playback, slow motion and simultaneous examples, of your own or exemplary performances, and it helps to provide accurate feedback.
It helps coaches and performers to fully identify the strengths and areas for improvement of an athlete's performance.
Data Collection and Analysis
The video analysis can provide both quantitative and qualitative data.
The collected data can be compared to previous performances to provide context for evaluation. Identify areas where the athlete or team has its strength and areas where performance falls short (areas for improvement).
Data can be presented to provide feedback and monitor an athlete's progress by assessing the effectiveness of interventions and tracking performance improvements.
1.3 Evaluating Performance Through Training Programmes In Sport
Aims of Training Programmes
With the collected performance data, coaches evaluate them to develop a more effective training programme that helps the athlete to improve.
Enhances both athlete’s performance and coaching effectiveness.
Improves team strategies.
Facilitates continuous improvement in skills, fitness, or both.
Key components of skills;
Agility: flexibility and speed
Balance: maintaining position;
Static (in one place)
Dynamic (while moving)
Co-ordination: synchronisation of actions;
Body (eyes and hands or feet)
Objects (hitting a tennis ball with the racket)
Timing: doing movement at the right time;
Reaction: Instant response to something.
Decision: Choosing when to respond.
Key components of fitness;
Strength: weight resistance;
Dynamic: Ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time.
Explosive: Ability to exert muscle force repeatedly or continuously over time.
Static: Ability to hold a pose without movement.
Speed: Ability to move quickly.
Stamina: Ability to sustain prolonged physical or mental effort. (Cardiovascular Endurance)
Suppleness: Quality of being able to bend easily or be bent easily. (Flexibility)
1.4 Planning Strategies, Tactics And Practices
Technology is also used to evaluate and improve performers' strategies and tactics.
Strategies: The overall plan or approach adopted by a team to achieve specific objectives during a match or competition.
It encompasses broader concepts such as formation, style of play, and long-term goals.
In analysis, strategies are evaluated by the effectiveness of how the team executes their game plan.
In planning, the key elements of sports strategy shall be considered;
Tactical Analysis
Team Formation
Game Plan
In-game Adjustments
Performance Evaluation
Tactics: Actions and strategies planned to achieve an overall objective and/or win.
Involve adjustments made during a match in response to the opponent's actions or changing game situations.
In analysis, the tactic is analysed by examining how well players adapt to different situations and execute specific plays.
In planning, the main things to consider are;
Who is doing what and when?
How space is being used?
What is happening on and off the ball?
What works or doesn't work and why?
Tactical Awareness: The ability to identify tactical problems that arise during a game and to respond appropriately.
Practices: Activities that are designed to help a person acquire a new skill, improve their skill, or maintain a skill.
Types of Practices
Individual Practice
Team Practice
Officiating and the Use of Technology
Technology is well-known and used by officials to make accurate officiation. It often supports an official too;
Communicate (Instant Replay)
Confirm if a foul or violation has been committed.
Keep the score accurate.
Player Tracking and Performance Analysis
Confirm if a ball or player is still in play.
Judge which athlete finished in which place.
Measure heights, distances and times.
Timing Systems
Keep time (including stoppage time).
1.5 Performance Analysis and Evaluation
Performance Analysis and Evaluation (PAE): A systematic process of assessing and critiquing the performance of athletes, teams, or individuals in sports.
It is designed to meet the specific needs of an individual athlete.
Components in Completing Performance Analysis and Evaluation
Introduction (Provide an overview of the purpose and objectives of the performance analysis)
Aim – general skill or fitness to improve for a specific sport and why.
Profile – Name, age, sex, performance level, and experience of the individual undergoing PAE.
Overview of Training Programme – Duration, frequency and type.
Baseline Tests
Summarization of measurement tests used and the test results of current skill and fitness components.
Evaluation of strengths and weaknesses
Summarized test results determining the strengths and areas to improve.
Priority areas for this PAE
Specification of the skill and/or fitness components to be improved.
Setting a goal for each SMART component. (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, time-bound)
Training Plan
Details of the training plan following the principles of training.
Detailed monitoring and adjustments and evidence of principles of training.
Results
Results according to the baseline tests.
Evaluation
Identify patterns, trends, and correlations within the data to gain insights into factors influencing performance outcomes.
Determine the effectiveness of the training programme in improving the specified components.
Identify how to maintain, extend or improve the training programme.
How to Evaluate a Performance Analysis and Evaluation
Establish the Baseline
Know the starter level of a performer by measuring the initial skill or fitness components that they are aiming to improve.
Monitor Progress
Take re-tests at regular intervals to determine performance progress. This is depending on the training program duration.
If there is no progress, the training programme may need to be redesigned or adjusted.
Record and Present Data
Recorded data is needed to easily monitor progress and enhancements within a period.
Recorded data may also be used to compare performance results from one another.
Compare Results
The performance results of every performer is useful in checking the appropriate progress.
Comparisons must be done sensitively by focusing on personal improvement.
Evaluate Impact
A post-performance analysis and evaluation test will show the impact of the training programme on a performer.
It helps the performers determine whether they acquired the effect that they were aiming for, to choose whether to train more for initially chosen components or now focus to a new one, or undergo a new training programme for the same components.
