The purposes of this study were to develop a notational analysis system to evaluate volleyball setting performance independent of the actions of the hitter and to use the data to develop a Markovian transitional matrix that would make known the probabilities of specific outcomes from each setting scenario. Setting performance was analyzed based on the sets distance from the net, height of the set, and position of the set in relation to the hitter as viewed from 13 filmed competitions of a Division I intercollegiate women's volleyball team. Data from the notation of 1353 sets were used to develop a Markovian transitional matrix. The data indicated that 25 different setting scenarios occurred. Overall, sets within 3-5 feet from the net resulted in the highest probability of a point and the lowest probability of a point for the opponent. Low sets, whether inside or outside in relation to the hitter also resulted in a high probability of winning a point. High sets, whether inside or outside in relation to the hitter, resulted in the lowest probability of success and the highest probability of a point for the opponent. A notational analysis system such as described in this study can effectively be used by coaches to evaluate setting performance, provide effective feedback, develop team strategies and style of play, and allocate practice time.

Research has indicated that teams who cover greater distance during matches and complete more basic tasks such as passes, tackles and shots are more successful. Identifying means of increasing these physical and technical outputs is therefore a significant opportunity for performance enhancement. There has been limited research performed on hockey, especially at the elite level. An issue that is even more relevant given that in the past 15 years the sport has undergone some significant rule changes including the introduction of unlimited substitutions. With sixteen players able to be used per match and eleven players on the field at any one time the coach can make substitutions as frequently as desired to try and maximise the overall performance of the team. The objectives of this thesis were to use methods of performance analysis to measure the physical and technical outputs of players during elite hockey and to specifically measure the impact of differing substitution strategies on the physical and technical outputs of strikers during match play. Three striker conditions were assessed; three strikers with no substitutions, four strikers with a moderate amount of substitutions; and, five strikers with a large amount of substitutions. Five matches between the New Zealand men’s hockey team and Tasmania state representative team were played over eight days. Physical outputs of players were measured using portable GPS units and heart rate monitors and technical aspects of match play were measured using team performance statistics and a set of technical criteria which awarded points to strikers for each contribution they made to the game based upon a scale of effectiveness. Average total distance covered during 70 minutes by a position was 8160 ± 428m of which 479 ± 108m (6.1%) was performed at speeds greater than 19km.h-1. Within this high intensity distance were 34 ± 12 sprints per player with an average duration of 3.3s. Average match HR was 85.3 ± 2.9% HRmax and average peak HR was 96.3 ± 2.7% HRmax. Distance covered decreased by 6.2% between the 1st and 2nd halves and there was a trend of decreasing distance in both halves when total distance was broken into five-minute time periods. When assessing the impact of substitutions on the performance of strikers it was found that there were no significant differences in physical outputs between conditions with total distance (S5 = 8414 ± 125m, S4 = 8422 + 34m; S3 = 8282m) and distance covered at speeds greater than 19km.h-1(S5 = 701 ± 46m, S4 = 685 ± 28m, S3 = 723m) being similar. Substantial differences were found in technical outputs between the substitution conditions with more strikers and greater substitutions offering a better total output than less strikers and fewer substitutions (S5 = 241 ± 35, S4 = 207 ± 38, S3 = 173) but statistical significance between conditions was also not found. In conclusion, the results suggest that although substitutions are not a means to increase the physical work of strikers they do appear to be a way to enhance the contributions that strikers are making to the game.

Research has indicated that teams who cover greater distance during matches and complete more basic tasks such as passes, tackles and shots are more successful. Identifying means of increasing these physical and technical outputs is therefore a significant opportunity for performance enhancement. There has been limited research performed on hockey, especially at the elite level. An issue that is even more relevant given that in the past 15 years the sport has undergone some significant rule changes including the introduction of unlimited substitutions. With sixteen players able to be used per match and eleven players on the field at any one time the coach can make substitutions as frequently as desired to try and maximise the overall performance of the team. The objectives of this thesis were to use methods of performance analysis to measure the physical and technical outputs of players during elite hockey and to specifically measure the impact of differing substitution strategies on the physical and technical outputs of strikers during match play. Three striker conditions were assessed; three strikers with no substitutions, four strikers with a moderate amount of substitutions; and, five strikers with a large amount of substitutions. Five matches between the New Zealand men’s hockey team and Tasmania state representative team were played over eight days. Physical outputs of players were measured using portable GPS units and heart rate monitors and technical aspects of match play were measured using team performance statistics and a set of technical criteria which awarded points to strikers for each contribution they made to the game based upon a scale of effectiveness. Average total distance covered during 70 minutes by a position was 8160 ± 428m of which 479 ± 108m (6.1%) was performed at speeds greater than 19km.h-1. Within this high intensity distance were 34 ± 12 sprints per player with an average duration of 3.3s. Average match HR was 85.3 ± 2.9% HRmax and average peak HR was 96.3 ± 2.7% HRmax. Distance covered decreased by 6.2% between the 1st and 2nd halves and there was a trend of decreasing distance in both halves when total distance was broken into five-minute time periods. When assessing the impact of substitutions on the performance of strikers it was found that there were no significant differences in physical outputs between conditions with total distance (S5 = 8414 ± 125m, S4 = 8422 + 34m; S3 = 8282m) and distance covered at speeds greater than 19km.h-1(S5 = 701 ± 46m, S4 = 685 ± 28m, S3 = 723m) being similar. Substantial differences were found in technical outputs between the substitution conditions with more strikers and greater substitutions offering a better total output than less strikers and fewer substitutions (S5 = 241 ± 35, S4 = 207 ± 38, S3 = 173) but statistical significance between conditions was also not found. In conclusion, the results suggest that although substitutions are not a means to increase the physical work of strikers they do appear to be a way to enhance the contributions that strikers are making to the game.

The principal aim of this study was to create longitudinal profiles (1988-2002) for the games of rugby union and rugby league football in order to identify whether changes in time, offence, defence and game action variables, and positional and game performance indicators were a reflection that the two codes of rugby were 'converging'. Anecdotal evidence had suggested that due to certain administrative developments within this time frame many facets of the two games were becoming similar, thereby spawning the notion of a future single, unified game of 'rugby'. This thesis presents the first empirical and objective assessment of whether such convergence has occurred. The data for this study were extracted from 48 video-taped recordings of First Grade rugby league and International rugby union in the Northern hemisphere over the specified time frame. The matches were identifiable by Era (pre-/post-professional) and Period (1988-92, 1993-95, 1997-99 and2000-02). Key aspects of play or performance were distinguished via game models and expert opinion and were scrutinised via a series of specifically designed and validated hand notation systems. Initial analysis considered (and established) the reliability of these systems, thereafter parametric and non-parametric inferential statistical teohniques were employed to identify Era and Period effects within each Code, with the additional analyses to consider the effects of Game Result and Game Quarter Outcomes. The findings from these analyses, particulaily the observed increase in ball in play time, changes at the ruck, maul, and lineout, and alterations in defence patterns of play, have provided a strong argument that the two Codes underwent a discernable degree of convergence over the years being considered. It was concluded that the introduction of professional playing status (rugby union), the summer playing season (rugby league), and law changes were likely causes of the two games being now similar in many respects. Although additional analyses should be encouraged to corroborate the present findings, the case for the development of a single Code of rugby can now be made.

Title: Analysis of the badminton matches in men's and women's singles The goals of essay: Main goal of the essay is to find out differences in first three shots and its most common combinations in single matches of men and women in relation to gaining a point during the rally. Another goal was to find frequency of using backhand and forehand hold in second and third shot. The last goal was to compare the frequency of ending in first, second and third shot between men and women. Methods: Indirect analysis - videoanalysis Results: According to results men and women primarily choose different types of serving. Men most often use short backhand serve, women high forehand serve. For the second shot men choose short shot or lob, women use smash. The third shot is lob in men rally, women choose short shot most often. Generally men uses in the first three shots shots less clears than women do. For both sexes are the most effective shots offensive ones, but men are more successful than women. The most effective direction of return was for men and for women the body of the player, in third shot it was the backhand side too (left middle and left back of the field). Men were more successful with forenhand, women with backhand. The frequenc of endings to third shots shows that women more often end the rally...

Title: Comparison of the badminton match in men's and women's singles Objectives: The goal is identify the most effective a choice combinations of the first three shots, leading to the acquisition point in singles between the best Czech male and female players. And also to discover determine and compare which was the usage of different types of serve, return and the third shots. Methods: Comparison of differences in badminton match between genders was based on indirect observation - video analysis. Statistics were used for data processing. Results: The results shower huge difference in tactical approaches among men and women players. Women preferred long high service and most of the service returns were played into back backhand court area and the third shot usually routed into back forehand court area. It means that the most played shot was a clear shot and the most occupied part of court was a back backhand corner. Despite more successful was when women players played drop by their third shot. Domination of short backhand service was seen by men players, the second shot routed the same direction like women players second shot - to the back backhand court, but also to the front part of the court. Third shot was mostly played into back backhand part of the court. If players wanted to be successful,...

The game of rugby has been played for over a century and yet its intricacies are still not fully understood. The key ingredient coaches are seeking is what can be added to a team’s make-up that will result in an increase in that teams level of playing success. The objective of this study is the exploration of the biomechanical aspects of movement in a rugby context specifically looking at the stages before, during and after contact. The hypothesis is that the optimal use of running lines in rugby union will lead to more successful breaches in the opposition’s defensive lines thus an increase in linebreaks will occur. In order to make a comparison based on scientific research principles, nine matches played during the 2001 season was compared with nine matches played during the 2002 season. For each match played in the 2001 and 2002 seasons the total number of linebreaks achieved in a match was calculated. In addition the total number of linebreaks achieved in the 2002 season was further subdivided into the specific categories of intervention in order to determine which intervention had the biggest impact on the total number of linebreaks achieved. By means of video footage of the matches played notational analysis was performed and information was gathered in order to gain data for further evaluation. The actions regarding the execution of the linebreaks were evaluated manually in respect of the intervention that was imposed during the coaching of the team during the 2002 season. Without exception a comparison between similar teams played during both seasons indicated that the total number of linebreaks achieved during the 2002 season was much higher than when the team competed against similar opposition during the 2001 season. The aggregate numbers indicated a significant increase in linebreaks from the 2001 to 2002 season. This conclusion was achieved by means of a simple T-test. Firstly an applied F-test test was done to determine whether the two samples had equal variances or not. Under the null hypothesis we assume that the variances of the two samples are equal, while the alternative states that the two samples have different variances. A value for the test statistic that is greater than the critical value will lead to a rejection of the null hypothesis. The test statistic was calculated and evaluated against the F (8,8) = 2.59 critical value on a 5% level of significance. The value of 15.921 is greater than the critical value of 2.95 and therefore the null hypothesis cannot be accepted, concluding that the two samples do not have equal variances. We then proceeded to test whether the 2002 average linebreaks are significantly higher than the average linebreaks achieved in the 2001 season. Under the null hypothesis the two sample averages are equal. Under the alternative, the 2002 average is higher than the 2001 average. In contrast to normal T-tests this specific test was a one-sided upper or right hand test due to the fact that we are testing whether the one average is greater and not equal to the other. Therefore, we would only reject the null hypothesis of equal sample averages if the test statistic were greater than the appropriate critical value. The calculated test statistic is 4.4827 and was evaluated against the t 0.05,9 = 1.833 critical value. Once again we cannot accept the null hypothesis. Therefore we can conclude that the average of the total linebreaks made during the 2002 season is statistically greater than the average of the total linebreaks made during the 2001 season. The results of this study therefore indicate that the new techniques incorporated into the coaching of the team in 2002 did positively influence the number of linebreaks when compared to the 2001 season. / Dissertation (MA (Human Movement Science))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Biokinetics, Sport and Leisure Sciences / unrestricted

The goal of this study is to gain a better understanding of the factors that play a role in dominant collisions in rugby as well as the relative significance of dominant collisions as an indicator of success. By means of video footage of matches played during the 2003-2005 Super 12 competitions, notational analysis was performed and information was gathered in order to gain the relative data. The hypothesis stands that if a team is aware of the factors that lead to a dominant collision, are able to execute them in a match situation, that team should be more successful. The following key performance measurements were evaluated in order to indicate how each factor affected the level of success of a team. They are as follows: average total number of collisions for a try to be scored, average total number of forced missed tackles for a try to be scored, ratio of dominant collisions versus passes executed when a try is scored and average positive velocity change of dominant collisions resulting in a try being scored. In order to prove the hypotheses a k-sample case will be used. The samples are related, thus the data used is interval and ratio. Therefore, the test used will be the repeated measures ANOVA test, a special form of n-way analysis of variance. The statistical evaluation is the critical test value where the d.f values are as following: Key Measurement (3,8), Year Rating (2,8), Year Rating by Key Measurement (3,8). When comparing these with a statistical table for critical values of the F distribution for Ą = 0.05, the critical values are as following: (3,8): 4.07, (2,8): 4.46, and (3,8): 4.07. Thus, the statistical results are grounds for accepting all three null hypotheses and concluding that there is a statistical significance of at least 95% with an alpha of 0.05 between the means in all three instances. This shows that the data captured for the twelve teams for all tries scored by these teams over a period of three years and for the four key measurements, have a statistical significance of 95% for the readings respectively. After evaluation of the data and making use of regression analysis and multiple regressions in order to establish the correlation between log position and the four key measurements there can be no doubt that the teams that finished higher on the log did indeed perform better according to the identified key performance measurements. / Thesis (DPhil (Human Movement Science))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Biokinetics, Sport and Leisure Sciences / unrestricted

Essa dissertação apresenta dois objetivos de trabalho (1) desenvolvimento e avaliação um programa computacional para análises técnico-táticas em combates de judô; (2) analisar as ações técnico-táticas utilizadas por atletas de judô de quatro classes de idade (pré-juvenil, juvenil, júnior e sênior), nas oito categorias de peso oficiais do Brasil (super-ligeiro até pesado) no sexo masculino e feminino, em dois níveis diferentes, a saber: (a) Circuito Paulistano e (b) Estadual de São Paulo. Nesta segunda parte, foram analisadas as variáveis: i) estrutura temporal do combate; ii) execução e orientação de golpes; iii) quantificação de pontuação; e iv) caracterização do tipo de pegada. Para verificação da objetividade do programa computacional, três experts realizaram 20 análises de combate, sendo que um deles analisou as mesmas 20 por três vezes (1° expert, n= 20; 2° expert n= 20, e; 3° expert n= 60). Para a comparação entre grupos observados no segundo estudo e para verificar a correlação de concordância (CCC) entre as medidas dos experts, utilizou-se a Análise de Variância e, quando necessário, post hoc de Tukey, com nível de significância adotado de 5%. Os resultados quanto ao programa demonstraram forte correlação intra e inter-expert, com alto grau de concordância (> 0,90 de índice) para 41 grupos de variáveis e (>0,80 de índice) para 37 grupos de variáveis, respectivamente. Para o segundo estudo, os principais resultados para o sexo masculino foram: no nível estadual e/ou a classe sênior, utilizam maiores tempos de combate, de luta em pé (tachi-waza) de movimentação livre, de pegada e da variação de pegada e direção de ataque. Nos grupos do sexo feminino, ocorreram diferenças entre o nível estadual e/ou a classe sênior (exceto quando comparado à classe pré-juvenil no tempo de combate sem pausa e no tempo de pegada) e os demais grupos - com tempos maiores para combate, tachi-waza, movimentação livre e pegada -, demonstraram diferenças entre a categoria pesado - que possuiu tempos de combate, tachi-waza, movimentação livre e pegada menores do que as categorias meio-leve, leve e meio-médio. Quanto às diferenças entre níveis, as atletas do estadual apresentaram uma frequência maior de entradas de golpe e de quantidade de tipos de pegada utilizados / This dissertation has two goals: developing and evaluating a computer program for the analysis of technical and tactical combat in judo, and analyzing technical-tactical actions used by judo athletes from four age classes (pre-juvenile, juvenile, junior and senior) in the eight official Brazilian weight categories (super-light to heavy), males and female, at two different levels, namely: (1) São Paulo City (Paulistano) and (2) São Paulo State levels. The variables were: i) temporal fight structure, ii) execution and direction of throws, iii) quantification of scores and iv) characterization of grip type. In order to verify the objectivity of the computer program, three experts conducted 20 analyses of combats, with one expert examining three times the same 20 (1st. expert, n = 20; 2nd. expert n = 20; 3rd. expert n = 60). For comparison between groups observed in the second study and in order to verify the concordance correlation (CCC) between experts measurements, analysis of variance and, when necessary, post hoc Tukey test with significance level p <0.05, were used. The results from the software showed strong intra and inter-expert agreement, with higher rate (> 0,90 of index) in 41 groups of variables and (>0,80 of index) in 37 groups of variables, respectively. For the second study, the most significant results from the male group were at the state and/or the senior class, using longer periods of combat, standing fight (tachi-waza), free displacement, grip time and variation in grip type, and direction of attacks. In females, there were differences between state and/or the senior class (except when compared to pre-juvenile in fight time without pause and grip time) and other groups, with more combat time, tachi-waza, free displacement and grip - showing differences between the heavyweight, who presented less combat, tachi-waza, free movement and grip times, and half-lightweight, lightweight and welterweight categories. Regarding differences between levels, state-level athletes used a higher frequency of techniques and different grip types

Essa dissertação apresenta dois objetivos de trabalho (1) desenvolvimento e avaliação um programa computacional para análises técnico-táticas em combates de judô; (2) analisar as ações técnico-táticas utilizadas por atletas de judô de quatro classes de idade (pré-juvenil, juvenil, júnior e sênior), nas oito categorias de peso oficiais do Brasil (super-ligeiro até pesado) no sexo masculino e feminino, em dois níveis diferentes, a saber: (a) Circuito Paulistano e (b) Estadual de São Paulo. Nesta segunda parte, foram analisadas as variáveis: i) estrutura temporal do combate; ii) execução e orientação de golpes; iii) quantificação de pontuação; e iv) caracterização do tipo de pegada. Para verificação da objetividade do programa computacional, três experts realizaram 20 análises de combate, sendo que um deles analisou as mesmas 20 por três vezes (1° expert, n= 20; 2° expert n= 20, e; 3° expert n= 60). Para a comparação entre grupos observados no segundo estudo e para verificar a correlação de concordância (CCC) entre as medidas dos experts, utilizou-se a Análise de Variância e, quando necessário, post hoc de Tukey, com nível de significância adotado de 5%. Os resultados quanto ao programa demonstraram forte correlação intra e inter-expert, com alto grau de concordância (> 0,90 de índice) para 41 grupos de variáveis e (>0,80 de índice) para 37 grupos de variáveis, respectivamente. Para o segundo estudo, os principais resultados para o sexo masculino foram: no nível estadual e/ou a classe sênior, utilizam maiores tempos de combate, de luta em pé (tachi-waza) de movimentação livre, de pegada e da variação de pegada e direção de ataque. Nos grupos do sexo feminino, ocorreram diferenças entre o nível estadual e/ou a classe sênior (exceto quando comparado à classe pré-juvenil no tempo de combate sem pausa e no tempo de pegada) e os demais grupos - com tempos maiores para combate, tachi-waza, movimentação livre e pegada -, demonstraram diferenças entre a categoria pesado - que possuiu tempos de combate, tachi-waza, movimentação livre e pegada menores do que as categorias meio-leve, leve e meio-médio. Quanto às diferenças entre níveis, as atletas do estadual apresentaram uma frequência maior de entradas de golpe e de quantidade de tipos de pegada utilizados / This dissertation has two goals: developing and evaluating a computer program for the analysis of technical and tactical combat in judo, and analyzing technical-tactical actions used by judo athletes from four age classes (pre-juvenile, juvenile, junior and senior) in the eight official Brazilian weight categories (super-light to heavy), males and female, at two different levels, namely: (1) São Paulo City (Paulistano) and (2) São Paulo State levels. The variables were: i) temporal fight structure, ii) execution and direction of throws, iii) quantification of scores and iv) characterization of grip type. In order to verify the objectivity of the computer program, three experts conducted 20 analyses of combats, with one expert examining three times the same 20 (1st. expert, n = 20; 2nd. expert n = 20; 3rd. expert n = 60). For comparison between groups observed in the second study and in order to verify the concordance correlation (CCC) between experts measurements, analysis of variance and, when necessary, post hoc Tukey test with significance level p <0.05, were used. The results from the software showed strong intra and inter-expert agreement, with higher rate (> 0,90 of index) in 41 groups of variables and (>0,80 of index) in 37 groups of variables, respectively. For the second study, the most significant results from the male group were at the state and/or the senior class, using longer periods of combat, standing fight (tachi-waza), free displacement, grip time and variation in grip type, and direction of attacks. In females, there were differences between state and/or the senior class (except when compared to pre-juvenile in fight time without pause and grip time) and other groups, with more combat time, tachi-waza, free displacement and grip - showing differences between the heavyweight, who presented less combat, tachi-waza, free movement and grip times, and half-lightweight, lightweight and welterweight categories. Regarding differences between levels, state-level athletes used a higher frequency of techniques and different grip types