Evolution of game-play in the Australian Football League from 2001 to 2015

This study investigated the evolution of game-play manifested via team performance indicator characteristics in the Australian Football League (AFL) from the 2001 to 2015 seasons. The mean values for 18 performance indicators were collated for every AFL team over 15-seasons. A multivariate analysis was used to uncover temporal trends in the dataset. Compared to the 2004 season, the 2005 to 2010 seasons were characterised by large growth in the counts of handballs (d = 0.83; 90% CI = 0.22–1.43), disposals (d = 1.24; 90% CI = 0.59–1.87), uncontested possessions (d = 1.37; 90% CI = 0.71–2.01), clangers (d = 2.14; 90% CI = 1.39–2.86) and marks (d = 1.43; 90% CI = 0.76–2.07). Contrastingly, the effective disposal percentage declined rapidly during the same period. The number of inside 50 m counts remained stable throughout the 15-season period. The ordination plot of league-wide performance indicator characteristics illustrated a distinct cluster from the 2001 to 2004 seasons, an abrupt shift from the 2005 to 2009 seasons, and an emergent (re)stabilisation from the 2010 to 2015 seasons. The results demonstrate the synchronous league-wide evolution of game-play in the AFL from the 2001 to 2015 seasons. Amongst other constituents, this evolution likely reflects the introduction of modernised coaching strategies, rule changes and changing perceptions of rule interpretations.     

The expected value of possession in professional rugby league match-play

This study estimated the expected point value for starting possessions in different field locations during rugby league match-play and calculated the mean expected points for each subsequent play during the possession. It also examined the origin of tries scored according to the method of gaining possession. Play-by-play data were taken from all 768 regular-season National Rugby League (NRL) matches during 2010–2013. A probabilistic model estimated the expected point outcome based on the net difference in points scored by a team in possession in a given situation. An iterative method was used to approximate the value of each situation based on actual scoring outcomes. Possessions commencing close to the opposition’s goal-line had the highest expected point equity, which decreased as the location of the possession moved towards the team’s own goal-line. Possessions following an opposition error, penalty or goal-line dropout had the highest likelihood of a try being scored on the set subsequent to their occurrence. In contrast, possessions that follow an opposition completed set or a restart were least likely to result in a try. The expected point values framework from our model has applications for informing playing strategy and assessing individual and team performance in professional rugby league.     

探讨柔道队政治思想工作及队伍管理的方法与手段

在竞技体育训练中,"向管理要成绩"已是诸多运动队老生常谈的话题,而队伍管理与运动成绩之间有着不可分割的密切关系。一个队伍要想具有过硬的政治思想工作和顽强的拼搏精神,能经得起重大比赛的考验,具备敢于打硬仗、打胜仗心理,就必须在运动员长期的训练与生活中建立和制定一套严格的管理制度和科学的管理方法,贯穿运动员的训练与生活,严格地执行与落实并有针对性地进行强化与培养,让行之有效的管理模式促使运动员的比赛与训练产生事半功倍的效果。     

Relationships between physiological,anthropometric, and skill qualities and playing performance in professional rugby league players

Abstract

In this study, we investigated the relationship between physiological, anthropometric, and skill qualities and playing performance in professional rugby league players. Fifty-eight high-performance rugby league players underwent measurements for anthropometry (height, body mass, sum of seven skinfolds), physiological (speed, change of direction speed, lower body muscular power, repeated-sprint ability, prolonged high-intensity intermittent running ability, and estimated maximal aerobic power), technical skill (tackling proficiency, draw and pass proficiency), and perceptual skill (reactive agility, pattern recall, pattern prediction) qualities. National Rugby League matches were coded for attacking (e.g. line breaks, try assists, etc.) and defensive (e.g. missed tackles, tackling efficiency, etc.) statistics commonly used to assess rugby league playing performance. The number of line break assists was significantly associated (P < 0.05) with greater playing experience (r = 0.36), dual-task draw and pass proficiency (r = 0.54), reactive agility (r = 0.29), and pattern recall (r = 0.32) and prediction (r = 0.28) ability, while faster speed over 40 m (r = ?0.42) was associated (P < 0.05) with a higher number of tries scored. Greater age and playing experience, better lower body muscular power, and faster 10 m and 40 m speed were significantly associated (P < 0.05) with the number of tackle attempts (positive), tackles completed (positive), and proportion of missed tackles (negative). These findings demonstrate that well-developed physical and skill qualities are associated with effective playing performance in National Rugby League players.     

社会网络分析在团队运动表现中的应用:研究综述

描述和评价了社会网络分析在团队运动表现中的应用情况。研究采用引文追溯法对文献进行检索,共进行5轮,检索引文3 698篇,最终有74篇文献纳入研究。研究显示,社会网络分析在团队运动表现中的应用是一个新兴现象,相关研究呈现出快速发展的趋势。在已有的实证研究中,将团队运动中的互动行为概念化为一个网络,并从宏观、中观和微观的视角分别概述了网络结构对认识团队运动互动行为的有用见解,验证了社会网络分析在足球等8个不同团队运动中应用的可行性。社会网络分析作为传统运动标注分析的补充被证明是一种有效的研究工具,改变了原有方法将比赛事件从比赛环境中独立出来的研究范式。在对球员互动结构静态属性分析的基础上,未来研究应进一步深入讨论这种互动结构的动态属性,以及多重网络对团队表现的影响。     

社会网络分析在团队运动表现中的应用:研究综述

描述和评价了社会网络分析在团队运动表现中的应用情况。研究采用引文追溯法对文献进行检索,共进行5轮,检索引文3 698篇,最终有74篇文献纳入研究。研究显示,社会网络分析在团队运动表现中的应用是一个新兴现象,相关研究呈现出快速发展的趋势。在已有的实证研究中,将团队运动中的互动行为概念化为一个网络,并从宏观、中观和微观的视角分别概述了网络结构对认识团队运动互动行为的有用见解,验证了社会网络分析在足球等8个不同团队运动中应用的可行性。社会网络分析作为传统运动标注分析的补充被证明是一种有效的研究工具,改变了原有方法将比赛事件从比赛环境中独立出来的研究范式。在对球员互动结构静态属性分析的基础上,未来研究应进一步深入讨论这种互动结构的动态属性,以及多重网络对团队表现的影响。     

Where to go: Computational and visual what-if analyses in soccer

ABSTRACT

To prepare their teams for upcoming matches, analysts in professional soccer watch and manually annotate up to three matches a day. When annotating matches, domain experts try to identify and improve suboptimal movements based on intuition and professional experience. The high amount of matches needing to be analysed manually result in a tedious and time-consuming process, and results may be subjective. We propose an automatic approach for the realisation of effective region-based what-if analyses in soccer. Our system covers the automatic detection of region-based faulty movement behaviour, as well as the automatic suggestion of possible improved alternative movements. As we show, our approach effectively supports analysts and coaches investigating matches by speeding up previously time-consuming work. We enable domain experts to include their domain knowledge in the analysis process by allowing to interactively adjust suggested improved movement, as well as its implications on region control. We demonstrate the usefulness of our proposed approach via an expert study with three invited domain experts, one being head coach from the first Austrian soccer league. As our results show that experts most often agree with the suggested player movement (83%), our proposed approach enhances the analytical capabilities in soccer and supports a more efficient analysis.     

Match-related fatigue reduces physical and technical performance during elite rugby league match-play: a case study

Abstract

This study examined the influence of match-related fatigue on physical and technical skill performance in ball playing positions at two different levels of rugby league competition. Time-motion analyses were performed using global positioning systems from 6 elite National Rugby League (NRL) and 11 junior elite National Youth Competition (NYC) players from 45 matches. A standardised 5-point technical coding criteria was used to qualitatively assess skill involvements during match-play. The distance travelled in the 0–5 and 40–45 min period were significantly higher compared to the 30–35, 35–40, 70–75 and 75–80 min periods (P < 0.001). Skill rating and involvements were higher in the 0–5 and 40–45 min compared to 70–75 and 75–80 min periods (P < 0.001 and P < 0.001, respectively).There was no significant difference in the number of physical collisions between the 5-min periods (P = 0.051). Following the peak 5-min bout of exercise intensity there were reductions in distance (P < 0.001), quality of skill involvements (P < 0.001), number of involvements (P < 0.001) and collisions (P < 0.001). Elite NRL and NYC “ball players” exhibit reductions in physical performance towards the end of matches and following brief periods of intense exercise. There also appears to be a reduction in technical performance for NRL and NYC ball players, which may be attributable to match-related fatigue.     

普通高校高水平运动队的团队文化

针对当前普通高校高水平运动队管理存在的问题,提出了高校高水平运动队管理的新理念——运动队团队文化。高校高水平运动队团队文化的内容主要包括攀登技术高峰,为校为国争光;追求人的全面发展的共有价值观;齐心协力、团结协作的团队精神;实现提高技术水平和具有高度科学文化知识双赢的目标定位;具有“软”约束力的群体规范;以人为本的管理模式等,并提出了相应的建设途径。     

第24届女篮亚锦赛中国队与韩国队决赛的技术分析

通过第24届女篮亚锦赛中国队与韩国队决赛的技术分析,从双方得分、篮板球、抢断球、盖帽、助攻、失误等方面进行了对比。研究表明：中国队卫冕主要靠的是内外结合,在防守上强调压迫性和扩大性,以及老将关键时刻的攻防经验,但年轻队员起伏较大,对抗能力和比赛经验欠缺,有待于扬长避短。     

Relative importance of physiological,anthropometric, and skill qualities to team selection in professional rugby league

Abstract

This study investigated the relative importance of physiological, anthropometric, and skill qualities to team selection in professional rugby league. Eighty-six high performance rugby league players underwent measurements of anthropometric (height, body mass, sum of seven skinfolds), physiological (speed, change of direction speed, lower body muscular power, repeated-sprint ability, prolonged high-intensity intermittent running ability, and maximal aerobic power), technical skill (tackling proficiency, draw and pass proficiency), and perceptual skill (reactive agility, pattern recall, pattern prediction) qualities. A linear discriminant analysis was also conducted comparing those players successful in gaining selection into the professional National Rugby League team with those not selected to determine which, if any, of these qualities could predict selection. Players selected to play in the first National Rugby League game of the season were older, more experienced, leaner, had faster 10m and 40m sprint times, and superior vertical jump performances, maximal aerobic power, tackling proficiency and dual-task draw and pass ability than non-selected players. Skinfold thickness and dual-task draw and pass proficiency were the only variables that contributed significantly (P < 0.05) to the discriminant analysis of selected and non-selected players. These findings suggest that selected physiological, anthropometric, and skill qualities may influence team selection in professional rugby league.     

中国男子冰壶队在2014年世锦赛技术表现与启示

针对中国冰壶男队在2014年世锦赛中的技战术水平的发挥程度,采用文献资料法、录像观察法、数理统计法对比赛中出现的问题进行剖析。结果显示：本次世锦赛中,中国队在全队和个人技术上的发挥趋于正常,成绩也相对理想,但是中国男队存在竞赛心理不成熟、技术发挥不稳定、关键球失误频繁等问题。为了中国冰壶男队能够取得更好的成绩,建议中国冰壶男队积极进行技战术训练;加强竞赛心理训练,创造条件实现＂以赛代练＂。另外,我国的冰壶运动后备人才匮乏,政府应该提供良好条件帮助提高专业冰壶运动人才水平,加强冰壶运动后备人才建设,为冰壶国家队供给全新人才。     

Spatial-temporal constraints on decision-making during shooting performance in the team sport of futsal

Abstract

In this paper we examined the influence of opposing players constraining the decision-making of an attacker during shooting performance in futsal. Performance during 10 competitive matches was recorded and examined from the moment a shot was taken until the ball was intercepted or entered the goal in sequences of play: ending in a goal, a goalkeeper's save, or an interception by the nearest defender. The variables under scrutiny in this study were (i) the distance of each player to the ball's trajectory, (ii) the time for the ball to arrive at that same point (i.e. the interception point), and (iii), the required movement velocity of the nearest defender and the goalkeeper to intercept the ball. Results showed that values of distance from a defender and goalkeeper to the interception points were significantly lower when they intercepted the ball. The time of ball arrival at the interception point of the defender was also lower when the ball was intercepted. The required velocities of the nearest outfield defender and the goalkeeper to intercept the ball were significantly lower during plays in which they intercepted the ball, than in plays in which the ball was not intercepted. Our results suggest that researchers and practitioners should consider simultaneously both space and time in analysis of interceptive actions in team sports. The required movement velocities of the opponents to intercept the ball are reliable spatial-temporal variables constraining decision-making during shooting performance in team sports like futsal.     

An integrated analysis of match-related fatigue in professional rugby league

This study examined the changes in external outputs, including metabolic power variables, and internal response whilst considering contextual factors on physical performance variables during rugby league match play. Physical performance (total distance, high-speed running and high-power distances, average metabolic power), heart-rate (percentage heart-rate peak and training impulse), collisions (attacking and defensive) and contextual (time in attack, time in defence, time out of play) data were collected from 18 rugby league players during 38 games throughout two National Rugby League seasons. Physical variables were highest in the first 10-min period of each half (P < 0.001). Heart-rate indices peaked in the second 10-min period and were lower during second half periods (P < 0.001). Few differences existed in collisions and contextual factors across 10-min periods. Physical variables were highest during the first 5-min period compared to the final (P < 0.001). There was no difference in heart-rate response, attacking collisions or contextual factors between these periods. Following the peak 5-min period in the match, there were reductions in physical, heart-rate, defensive collisions and contextual factors (P < 0.001). The data show temporal changes in physical performance, heart-rate response and collisions during rugby league match play, although these are affected by contextual factors.     

从全国大学生田径锦标赛看我国高校女子高水平运动队的发展

统计了第 1～ 5届全国大学生田径锦标赛女子乙组决赛前 6名的成绩 ,经过分析 ,提出高等院校田径高水平运动训练要充分发挥我国的田径优势项目和高等院校的办学优势条件。各校在对项目的设置上要以精为主 ,重点突出 ,从而避免不必要的人力、物力浪费     

高校高水平运动队SWOT分析——基于校企联办视角

本文从校企联办视角对高校高水平运动队做SWOT分析,分析高校高水平运动队与企业进行对接的可行性,探寻高校依托企业的经济优势、管理机制等,来发展高校高水平运动队问题。     

陕西省普通高校高水平运动队建设现状调查

对陕西省14所普通高等学校高水平运动队建设状况进行了调查分析,结果表明:陕西省普通高等学校高水平运动队经过近20年的建设与发展,在运动员招生、学籍管理、运动训练、竞赛制度等方面积累了丰富经验,取得了较好成果,为进一步加快高水平运动队建设奠定了坚实基础。明确目标与定位,加强合作与交流,实质性地推进“体教结合”,项目合理布局,加大经费投入,率先发展优势项目是陕西省普通高校高水平运动队建设可持续发展的必由之路。     

Mixed-methods pre-match cooling improves simulated soccer performance in the heat

This investigation examined the effects of three pre-match and half-time cooling manoeuvres on physical performance and associated physiological and perceptual responses in eight University soccer players during a non-motorised treadmill based individualised soccer-specific simulation [intermittent soccer performance test (iSPT)] at 30°C. Four randomised experimental trials were completed; following 30-min (pre-match) and 15-min (half-time) cooling manoeuvres via (1) ice slurry ingestion (SLURRY); (2) ice-packs placed on the quadriceps and hamstrings (PACKS); (3) mixed-methods (MM; PACKS and SLURRY concurrently); or no-cooling (CON). In iSPT first half, a moderate increase in total (Mean?±?Standard Deviation: 108?±?57 m, qualitative inference: most likely, Cohen’s d: 0.87, 90%CL: ±0.31), high-speed (56?±?46 m, very likely, 0.68?±?0.38) and variable run (15?±?5 m, very likely, 0.81?±?0.47) distance covered was reported in MM compared with CON. Additionally, pre-match reductions in thermal sensation (–1.0?±?0.5, most likely, –0.91?±?0.36), rectal (–0.6?±?0.1°C, very likely, –0.86?±?0.35) and skin temperature (–1.1?±?0.3°C, very likely, –0.88?±?0.42) continued throughout iSPT first half. Physical performance during iSPT first half was unaltered in SLURRY and PACKS compared to CON. Rectal temperature was moderately increased in SLURRY at 45-min (0.2?±?0.1°C, very likely, 0.67?±?0.36). Condition did not influence any measure in iSPT second half compared to CON. Only MM pre-match cooling augmented physical performance during iSPT first half, likely due to peripheral and central thermoregulatory factors favourably influencing first half iSPT performance. Further practical half-time cooling manoeuvres which enhance second half performance are still required.     

Physical and psychomotor performance of Australian football and rugby league officials during a match simulation

The onset of exercise facilitates an improvement in psychomotor performance until the second ventilatory threshold, after which performance is reduced. This inverted-U relationship appears valid for incremental and steady-state exercise, however, not for intermittent exercise. This study examined changes in psychomotor performance of team sport officials during a laboratory-based match simulation. Twelve elite Australian football (n = 5) and rugby league (n = 7) officials (32.5 ± 5.5 years; 180.0 ± 6.8 cm; 78.8 ± 7.6 kg) completed the match simulation on a non-motorised treadmill. Physiological measures were routinely taken, while psychomotor performance was assessed using the Eriksen flanker task (multiple-choice response time). Significant reductions (P < 0.05) were observed in distance covered and high-speed running during the second half when compared to the first. No significant differences (P > 0.05) in psychomotor performance at different time points were observed. Response time was significantly improved when running above 65% of maximal sprinting speed (P < 0.01). This data questions the application of the inverted-U hypothesis for intermittent exercise and suggests that the short high-intensity efforts may not result in the same physiological events that limit psychomotor performance during sustained high-intensity exercise. More so, the high-intensity efforts during the match protocol appeared to promote psychomotor performance during the intermittent exercise.