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Sports Performance: Data Measurement, Analysis and Improvement

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A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 July 2025 | Viewed by 5401

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Alfonso De la Rubia Riaza

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Guest Editor

Facultad de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte (INEF), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: talent development; sport sciences; sport performance; performance testing; performance analysis; bio-banding; sport training; team sports; handball
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Dr. Moisés Marquina

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Faculta de Ciencias de la Actividad Física y del Deporte (INEF-UPM), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: analysis of sports performance using artificial intelligence; analysis of power and execution speed in instability in different movement patterns; analysis of the physical demands in high performance in team sports; physical activity and cancer; emotional intelligence and mental health in physical education

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Competition analysis has become a fundamental tool for achieving performance and, therefore, success in sports. Data processing has become crucial in the analysis processes of coaches and technical staff, allowing for more accurate predictions and decision-making. The sports industry has evolved with the use of technology, especially the one in charge of processing and managing data, obtaining optimised individual and collective performances.

This Special Issue, titled "Sports Performance: Data Measurement, Analysis and Improvement", will bring together innovative and high-quality research that addresses the challenges and opportunities in the measurement, analysis and improvement of sports performance. This Special Issue seeks to provide a platform for the discussion of advanced methods and practical applications that contribute to a deeper understanding and the optimisation of performance in sport disciplines. For this Special Issue, papers are invited that focus on the following research lines:

Sport Performance Measurement:

Development and validation of new tools and technologies for sports performance measurement;
Non-invasive methods for the real-time monitoring of physiological and biomechanical parameters.

Data Analysis in Sport:

Application of big data techniques and massive data analysis in sports performance;
Studies of the impact of video analysis and tracking technologies on tactical and strategic analysis.

Innovations in Training and Performance Improvement:

New approaches and methodologies in the design of training programmes;
Impacts of technology on the personalisation and optimisation of sports training.

It is hoped that the papers presented will not only contribute to theoretical knowledge but also provide practical applications that can be implemented in the field to maximise the performances of athletes and sports teams.

Dr. Alfonso De la Rubia Riaza
Dr. Moisés Marquina
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

sports performance measurement
data analysis in sports
performance testing

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 462 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dietary Intake According to the Evolution of the Resting Metabolic Rate and Body Composition of an Elite Olympic Athlete over a Macrocycle: A Case Study

by Mihaiță Alin Saftel, Nicoleta Leonte, Alexandru Maftei and Alina Daniela Moanță

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(3), 1304; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15031304 - 27 Jan 2025

Viewed by 450

Abstract

Monitoring physiological parameters is vital for tracking swimmers’ progress and performance. This study examines an elite male swimmer’s nutrition during his preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics, considering his metabolic rate and body composition. His resting energy needs (2905 ± 407.99 kcal/day) were measured using indirect Cosmed K5, calorimetry, and body composition determined through skinfold measurements. Nutrition plans were developed using software, varying with his training intensity—providing 2910 ± 379 kcal/day on rest days, and 4238 ± 562 kcal/day on intense days. The analysis of the correlations between key variables revealed strong and diverse interactions among anthropometric, metabolic data, and energy substrates. Thus, weight exhibited a very strong positive correlation with lean mass (FFM), indicating that higher weight is associated with increased lean mass. Conversely, the moderate correlation between weight and body fat percentage suggests a weaker association. The amount of skin folds accurately reflects the body fat percentage. Ensuring that a high-energy dietary intake aligned with his actual needs throughout the season was crucial for sustaining performance. Experimenting with fueling and recovery tactics during smaller competitions enabled the athlete to meet energy and nutrient demands at the elite level. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Performance: Data Measurement, Analysis and Improvement)

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17 pages, 907 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Key Stakeholders’ Perspectives on the Sports Science and Medicine Resources and Practices in English Non-League Male Football

by Daniel T. Jackson, Richard C. Blagrove, Peter K. Thain, Anthony Weldon and Adam L. Kelly

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(3), 1050; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15031050 - 21 Jan 2025

Viewed by 639

Abstract

Background: Sports science and medicine (SSM) is integral to professional football clubs. The level below professional football in England, ‘non-league football’ (NLF), consists of full-time and part-time clubs. The existing literature has exclusively focused on SSM in professional football, with the resources and practices in NLF currently unknown. Therefore, this study explored the SSM resources and practices within NLF by investigating the perspectives of key stakeholders working within NLF coaching and SSM disciplines. Methods: Fifty participants (coaching practitioners [n = 25] and SSM practitioners [n = 25]) from NLF clubs completed an anonymous online survey comprising 31 multiple-choice and Likert-scale questions, alongside optional open-ended comments. Results: Support was mixed for SSM evidence-based practices across clubs in Tiers 5–10 within the National League System. The most common SSM resources were the training ground (n = 39), resistance training equipment (n = 15), and rehabilitation area (n = 13). Fitness testing was frequent (86%) pre-season but rare end-of-season (8%). Workload monitoring primarily consisted of the session duration (80%) and time–motion data (36%). Performance analysis of competitive matches commonly used video (74%) or post-match technical analysis (40%). Injury monitoring generally occurred ‘always’ (44%) or ‘sometimes’ (28%). Nutritional support on match days was mostly fluids (80%), with ‘no support’ reported most outside match days (54%). Conclusions: The SSM resources and practices vary considerably within NLF, influenced by individual club constraints and barriers, including financial support, access to facilities, and equipment availability. These findings may inform future SSM provisions in NLF to enhance team performances and player availability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Performance: Data Measurement, Analysis and Improvement)

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11 pages, 978 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Leveraging the Chain on Goals Model in Football: Applications for Attack and Defensive Play

by Blanca De-la-Cruz-Torres, Miguel Navarro-Castro and Anselmo Ruiz-de-Alarcón-Quintero

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 998; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15020998 - 20 Jan 2025

Viewed by 650

Abstract

Introduction: Football analysis has experienced significant growth in recent years as an applied research field. This study aims to contribute to this area by applying the chain on goals model to analyze both the attacking and defensive phases of football matches. Additionally, it introduces four practical concepts to better understand player and team performance in Spain’s professional football leagues. Method: Data for the 2023/24 season were collected from Football Reference, covering both men’s (LaLiga) and women’s (LigaF) leagues. Variables analyzed included team performance, attack and defensive performance, goals saved above average (GSAA), goals and possession value (PV), expected goals (xG), and xG on target (xGOT) for attack and defensive phases. Four practical concepts analyzed were off-ball movement (PV-xG), player’s offensive quality (xG-xGOT), team’s positioning (PVA-xGA), and player’s defensive quality (xGA-xGOTA). Descriptive and comparative statistical analyses were performed to compare all variables between the two leagues using an Independent Student’s test. Additionally, correlation coefficients were calculated to examine the relationships between the four concepts. Results: Significant differences were observed between leagues in defensive performance (p = 0.03) and GSAA (p < 0.001). Practical concepts revealed disparities in off-ball movement and team’s positioning (p < 0.001 in both). No correlations were found between off-ball movement and player’s offensive quality or between team’s positioning and player’s defensive quality. Conclusions: The Spanish women’s league exhibited defensive weaknesses, conceding more goals and showing lower goalkeeper performance. PV was the most influential variable in the women’s league, while xG was critical in the men’s league. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Performance: Data Measurement, Analysis and Improvement)

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9 pages, 1298 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Instruction and Target Position on Penalty Kicking Performance in Soccer

by Arne Sørensen, Ole H. Christensen and Roland van den Tillaar

Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(22), 10668; https://doi.org/10.3390/app142210668 - 19 Nov 2024

Viewed by 1290

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of instructions that prioritize either speed or accuracy in experienced senior football players when taking penalty kicks at five different targets in a goal. Sixteen male experienced senior football players performed in total 80 penalty kicks with instructions that prioritized either precision or speed at five different targets in the goal. Ball velocity and hit accuracy were evaluated between the two instructions and the five targets. The main findings showed that aiming for velocity resulted in higher ball velocity and lower kicking accuracy than aiming for accuracy. However, kicking accuracy was only lower when kicking to the bottom corner targets. Furthermore, when shooting high at the middle, the percentage of balls on target was higher when aiming for speed rather than accuracy. Based upon the findings of the study, it is suggested that a player should try to kick as fast as possible and aim for the middle of the goal, as ball velocity is faster than when aiming for accuracy and hit percentage in the goal is also at its highest, thereby increasing the chances of outdoing the goalkeeper, who most often goes for one of the sides. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Performance: Data Measurement, Analysis and Improvement)

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14 pages, 1254 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Relationship between Body Composition and Physical Performance by Sex in Professional Basketball Players

by Jordan Hernandez-Martinez, Joaquín Perez-Carcamo, Bayron Coñapi-Union, Sebastian Canales-Canales, Mario Negron-Molina, Sergio Avila-Valencia, Izham Cid-Calfucura, Tomas Herrera-Valenzuela, Diego Cisterna, Braulio Henrique Magnani Branco and Pablo Valdés-Badilla

Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(20), 9165; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14209165 - 10 Oct 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1708

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the relationship between body composition (fat-free mass and body fat percentage) and physical performance (countermovement jump, CMJ; throwing ball; maximal isometric handgrip strength, MIHS dominant and non-dominant hands; 10-m and 20-m sprints with and without ball) in Chilean professional basketball players. Its secondary aim was to analyze if there were differences in body composition and physical performance according to sex. This was a cross-sectional study that analyzed 23 professional basketball players with a mean age of 24.0 ± 4.92 years, distributed among male professional basketball players (male professional BPs, n = 12) and female professional basketball players (female professional BPs, n = 14). The main results indicate the correlation presented significant relationships between fat-free mass with CMJ (r = 0.760; p < 0.0001; ES = 1.43), MIHS dominant hand (r = 0.783; p < 0.0001; ES = 1.50) and MIHS non-dominant hand (r = 0.805; p < 0.0001; ES = 1.85), throwing ball (r = 0.586; p = 0.001; ES = 0.56), 10 m sprint with ball (r = −0.510; p = 0.007; ES = 0.35), and 20 m sprint with ball (r = −0.143; p = 0.046; ES = 0.16). As did body fat percentage with CMJ (r = −0.647; p = 0.000; ES = 0.56), throwing the ball (r = −0.657; p = 0.000; ES = 0.58), MIHS dominant hand (r = −0.745; p < 0.0001; ES = 1.17), and MIHS non-dominant hand (r = −0.820; p < 0.0001; ES = 1.50). In conclusion, body composition is related to physical performance in professional basketball players. Meanwhile, male professional BPs had better body composition and physical performance than female professional BPs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports Performance: Data Measurement, Analysis and Improvement)

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Planned Papers

The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.

Title: Effect of eccentric exercise-induced fatigue on proprioception, motor control and performance of the upper limb in handball players
Author: Hadjisavvas
Highlights: • Eccentric exercise-induced fatigue significantly impairs shoulder JPS and kinesthesia • Reduction in JPS and kinesthesia due to fatigue affect motor control and performance • Exercise which aim to increase the fatigue resistance of the rotator cuff muscles is important

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