NEWS
Why Is Performance Analysis so Important?
“Performance Analysis provides athletes and coaches with objective information to understand performance.”
Analysis has been taking place in some form or another since sport first began, with the constant desire for improvement.
In today’s era, through research and technological advancement, the power of performance analysis and subsequent analytics has boomed, progressing from simple notational analysis, into huge data driven frameworks. Technology is now playing a major role in how quickly athletes and teams develop, these resources offer opportunities to gain a competitive advantage in a world of increasingly tight margins.
Understanding details helps to remove guesswork, making as many actions as possible purposeful. This doesn’t mean creating robotic players who play without instinct, it develops the correct preparation and insight, creating tools in athletes’ and coaches’ armouries that can be drawn on when the time comes.
Intrinsic or Inherent Feedback – sensory information such as sight, hearing, touch. This is the athlete, and coaches personal perception of what took place, how it was executed and the value of the outcome.
Extrinsic Feedback – comes from an outside source and can be split into two main forms; Knowledge of results (outcomes), and knowledge of performance (causes of result). Ideally, this feedback should be used to compliment intrinsic feedback to develop understanding and autonomy.
The final point is of most importance, the ultimate goal of performance analysis is to enhance the intrinsic picture and give a broader understanding of what is taking, or has taken, place. Leading to skill enhancement, improved decision making, increased confidence and ideally better results.
Performance analysis is rudimentarily a form of feedback, but the depth and power of this tool really comes to light when delving deeper into the methods and delivery styles.
As research and technologies progress, more and more systems and strategies evolve the performance analysis landscape, however academics and practitioners can agree that all fall under three main pillars within the field:
Notational Analysis
The vast amount of information/stimuli present in game/performance is difficult to retain, with emotions and preconceived ideas affecting judgement.
As a result systems have been created to provide greater objectivity (statistical collection, etc)
Has developed rapidly with advances in IT, can take the form of real time hand or computer notation (concurrent) or post event (terminal)
Provides an assessment of key performance indicators for individual and team, skill and tactical, performance
Example: Statistical breakdowns of in game events, shots on goal, passes complete, time on ice, etc
Biomechanical Analysis
Biomechanics is the science concerned with the internal and external forces acting on the human body and the effects produced by these forces.
Individual assessment of body movement and technique
Wide range of technologies, such as high speed cameras, sensors and software provide exceptionally accurate data, used to improve areas such as efficiency of movement and force production
Also used to aid injury prevention, and enhance link between performers brain and body – enhancing skill comprehension and confidence
Behavioural (Psychological) Analysis
Can be combined with notational analysis to record behavioural responses during performance – e.g. athletes response to missing a shot
Behaviours observable include; Verbal, Facial Expressions, Gestures, Posture, Locomotion, Specific Skill Response
Undertakes a problem solving approach, interviews are used to identify issues (actual vs anticipated, sensory vs emotional) followed by observations and testing to develop strategies to overcome
Useful for analysis of athletes and coaches, or in a wider research setting to identify archetypes and trends.
Work with us to gain a greater insight into the tools available, strengthen your understanding and for assistance with application.
Don’t worry, it won’t all be science and long reading – we will demonstrate the power of the tools through real world examples and breakdowns of scenarios relatable to you.
If you have any questions, or would like more information about how MyScout works, please get in contact using the form available or the website, or send us an email. We’d love to hear from you about what insights you’d find useful, helping us to develop our resources to assist as many people as possible.
