Semi Quantitative Analysis Sports Biomechanics LG B 510

Semi Quantitative Analysis Sports Biomechanics (LG B 510)

Aims and Objectives Critically review Quintic® software Define semi quantitative analysis In the lecture we will cover the following…. . Experience Quintic® software Consider aspects of the semi quantitative analysis process.

Semi Quantitative Analysis Introduction Semi quantitative analysis is a process which falls between the qualitative and quantitative methods of biomechanical analysis. It comprises elements of both methods and has the capability to allow the biomechanist to perform a detailed analysis of performance. Semi qualitative analysis tends to be performed either ‘live’ during an event or via video analysis post event. The latter allows the speed of the athletic performance to be manipulated to allow a detailed analysis of the performance. Semi qualitative incorporates qualitative aspects such as the phase analysis model and also quantitative aspects such as joint angles, limb rotational speed angle of approach. The quantitative aspects requires biomechanical analysis software to be used such as Quintic® or silicon. Coach® to be used within the analysis and feedback process. Semi quantitative analysis is mainly used to analyse movement patterns with the aim of improving performance – the benefit of semi quantitative analysis is that objective measures can be taken and tracked over a number of performances to allow deeper reflection on sporting performance (Bartlett, 2002). Strengths • Combination of qualitative and quantitative analysis methods • Performance tracking capabilities • Objective measures of performance • Field based or laboratory based Weaknesses • Time consuming process • Range of data may promote over dependence on process • Technical operational skills required.

Real Time Sporting Performance Task Biomechanics specialists working with athletes have a challenging task to support the athletes they are working with. Watch the footage of an elite female javelin thrower on the next slide, you will have one opportunity to view the footage. What points of performance did you notice? How many biomechanical principles can you relate to your observations? What would make the biomechanical analysis easier?

Javelin Throw

Biomechanical Analysis Task From the previous slides the biomechanical analysis of sports performance has been considered as has the difficulty in analysing performance in ‘real’ time and the effective video camera set up. This task will focus on identifying what variables an biomechanics specialist would focus upon when analysing a performance. The next slide contains a clip of an elite high jumper. Watch the clip as many times as you require and complete table 1 below including the key variables that you consider important to analyse. Secondly for the variables identified consider how an analyst would investigate these variables and define which variables are the most important – create a ranking system with 1 being the most important variable to analyse. Table 1: Example table to use when completing the biomechanical analysis task Variables Analysed Why? How? Importance (1 – 5 scale) Stride Length To identify the acceleration of the athlete in the run up phase Measurement tool on analysis software package 2

Biomechanical Analysis Task

Slow Motion Footage

Sub Sections within a Performance

Joint Angles

Digitisation

Theory into Practice Shot Putt Data obtained through semi quantitative analysis and qualitative analysis (as discussed in a previous lecture) can allow biomechanists to analyse sporting performance. Semi quantitative analysis provides data such as joint angles, speeds, displacement, force and distances. Numerical data collected within these variables can be related to biomechanical theories/literature. An example of this could be the analysis of shot putt release angle. By analysing the athletes release angle the data obtained can be compared to the ‘ideal’ or ‘optimum’ release angles identified in literature. If the athlete analysed has a release angle of 50° and the literature states the optimum release angle is between 40° to 45° depending on the athlete height and release speed (Hay, 1993). Theory such as projectile motion and Newton’s laws also closely links to shot putt performance.

Quintic Software Task The previous slides have outlined some of the features of Quintic analysis software and provided examples in regards to analysing sporting performance. The task is to analyse the Quintic software highlighting the systems strengths and weaknesses. You can consider what you have learnt in the lecture slides but you also need to reflect on these slides and review the Qunitic website for further details www. quintic. com. From here you can also download the analysis software on a 21 day free trial which comes with a range of sample videos for you to experience the software for yourself. Table 2: Example table to use when completing the Qunitic task Strengths Allows slow motion replays to analyse sporting performance in greater detail Weaknesses

Summary In the lecture we have covered • Semi quantitative analysis is a process which falls between the qualitative and quantitative methods of biomechanical analysis. • The benefit of semi quantitative analysis is that objective measures can be taken and tracked over a number of performances to allow deeper reflection on sporting performance (Bartlett, 2002). • The strengths of semi quantitative analysis are; Combination of qualitative and quantitative analysis methods Performance tracking capabilities Objective measures of performance Field based or laboratory based • When filming sports performance the following should be considered; Shutter speed Lighting and location Zoom function and athlete size on the image • Quintic analysis software has a range of benefits when analysing performance. The results of such analysis can be interlinked with biomechanical theories to allow feedback to be given with the aim of maximising sporting performance.

References Bartlett, R. (2007) Introduction to Sports Biomechanics. London: Routledge Hay, J. (1993) The Biomechanics of Sports Techniques. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall