1. VCE Physical Education - Unit 4
Chapter 8
Data collection and activity analysis
Text Sources
Nelson Physical Education VCE Units 3&4: 4th Edition – Malpeli, Horton, Davey and Telford 2006.
2. Live It Up 2: 2nd Edition – Smyth, Brown, Judge, McCallum and Pritchard 2006.
VCE Physical Education - Unit 4

2. Data collection and activity analysis

3. VCE Physical Education - Unit 4
Data Collection
Why collect data?
Determine fitness and physiological requirements of an activity or sport.
Data is based on elite performers
‘Ordinary’ individuals or teams can narrow the gap resulting in improvements.
What data should be collected?
Determine what skills and attributes are needed in a particular sport for a successful performance.
Examples; Reaction time in sprinters, bench time in basketballers.
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4. VCE Physical Education - Unit 4
Data Collection (2)
What information would be useful for an athlete or their coach?
Physical* – Physiological fitness required
Mental – Psychological preparation and ability to cope with game day pressure
Technical – Skill level under fatigue and pressure
Tactical – Decision making under pressure.
*We will concentrate on the physical information;
Fitness components
Energy systems
Muscle groups and anatomy.
Movement patterns
Work to rest ratios
Opponents strengths and weaknesses
Biomechanics
Training principles
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5. VCE Physical Education - Unit 4
Observation
p.174
Observation
Individual sports are easier to observe than large team sports
Monitors give feedback to the athlete in regards to their performance. This feedback can then be used to make adjustments during training.
Quality of observations
Experience and knowledge in the particular sport will benefit observational data.
Results can be affected by prejudice, perceptions and conditions the observations were made under.
Observer or spectator?
Spectators can be useful observers as they follow the flow of the game.
Coaches need to also selectively attend to each of the their players to watch for off the ball positioning.
Observation Panel
A number of panel members can be used to observe in specialist areas
This allows for immediate feedback to the team. However ‘group think’ may be used to please the coach
Laboratory 8.1 p.173
VCE Physical Education - Unit 4

6. Observation and Statistical Data Collection
Advantage of additional statistical data;
Evidence that supports observational information
Eg. Stopwatch and recording sheet.
Technology is being used to collect and collate data more rapidly.
Eg. Virtual spectator and champion data.
VCE Physical Education - Unit 4

7. VCE Physical Education - Unit 4

8. VCE Physical Education - Unit 4

9. Video taping combined with observation and stats
Advantages;
More reliable than observation only
Allows passages to plays to be analysed in detail
Athletes need to be keep in view at all times to judge physical requirements
Videos can be played at various speeds when analysing skill errors
Serves as a future comparison and possibly as a motivator (Eg. Grand final win or loss).
Television has designed new inventive ways of viewing sport which provides coaches with some useful information eg. Stump cam.
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Skill Frequency
Skill frequency charts are used to record the types of skills used and how frequently the occur. The effectiveness of each skill can also be recorded. Eg - tennis
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Movement Patterns
Suited to free range movement games.
Requires the charting of a player and plotting their movement details over a period of time.
Information can then be used in statistical grids.
GPS is now being used in major sports (See picture)
Case Study 8.2 p.178
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12. VCE Physical Education - Unit 4

13. Intensity Charts / Work Rest Ratios
Symbols are allocated to the intensities observed during an activity or game.
The chart could use symbols such as (H) high, (M) medium or (L) low intensity.
Set intervals can be used.
Work Rest Ratios
Compares the amount of time working in comparison to time spent resting.
Common ratio is 1:3 in team games
Useful in determining contribution of energy systems and the type of training to be used.
Different positions in team sports have different work to rest ratios
Eg. Netball
VCE Physical Education - Unit 4

14. Combined Intensity and Work-Rest Ratio
Requires constant monitoring of the athlete;
Observing intensity levels and duration
Observing length of rest periods before next action session
Gives an accurate account of energy system interplay.
See table 8.5 p.181
See table 8.6 p.181
Laboratory 8.3 p.181
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15. VCE Physical Education - Unit 4
Heart Rate
HR monitors use is widespread in sport.
Athletes should train in the training zone.
Max HR = age
Anaerobic zone – 85% max HR
Aerobic zone – 70-85% max HR
Recovery zone – Below 70%
Laboratory 8.4 p.182
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16. VCE Physical Education - Unit 4
Pedometers
p.182
Can be used to measure;
Distance travelled
Calories expended
HR (In more expensive models)
Commonly used as a motivational tool.
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17. Data collection and activity analysis

18. VCE Physical Education - Unit 4
Activity Analysis
Once the data has been collected, the analysis can begin.
Analysis requires;
Identifying patterns in the data
Connecting pieces of information
Explaining and classifying series of data.
The analysis of data can determine;
Appropriate diet
Training method suitability
Training cycle success
Warm up and recovery effectiveness
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Activity Analysis (2)
Observation only
Immediate feedback
However, no hard evidence to review
Observation and stats
Concrete evidence to review in the form of stats.
Video recording and stats
Video footage only used after a game – no immediate feedback. Excellent for game review.
Laboratory 8.5 p.184
Skill frequency charts
More relevant to technical data rather than physical
Player is able to get feedback on their results
Some information on fitness components could be extracted
Eg. Number of changes of direction could determine use of agility.
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Activity Analysis (3)
p.188
Movement Patterns
Useful in determining muscle groups used.
Needs to have intensity and duration information to determine energy system and fitness components
Video analysis is better for analysing movement patterns
Intensity charts and work rest ratios
Very useful in determining energy systems and fitness components
Heart rate data
Determines intensity only
Needs additional data on duration and work-rest ratio to be useful.
Eg. Tennis
See table 8.10 p.188
See tables 8.12 & 8.13 p.189
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21. VCE Physical Education - Unit 4
Web Links – Chapter 8
Champion Data:
Sport science (site for sports research):
Virtual Spectator:
Sports Coach UK – evaluation:
Australian Sports Commission:
Find 30 promotion (Government of WA Department of Health):
Walking School Bus promotion (UK):
Ministry of Health (New Zealand) toolkits:
The 10,000 Steps Rockhampton project:
Travelsmart Australia:
World Health Organisation:
Heart Foundation Australia:
VicHealth (The Victorian Health Promotion Foundation):
Be Active promotion (Government of South Australia):
Go For Your Life:
Physical Activity Resources for Health Professionals – Introduction (Centre for disease control and prevention – USA):
Health Promotion (Public Health Agency of Canada):
Strategic Inter-Governmental Forum on Physical Activity and Health (SIGPAH):
Healthy youth (Centre for disease control and prevention (USA):
America On The Move promotion:
Papers from the International Journal of Behavioural Nutrition and Physical Activity:
Department of health and aging (Australian government):
Building a healthy, active Australia (Australian government):
National Public Health Partnership:
Sport and Recreation Australia:
VCE Physical Education - Unit 4