The challenges of modernizing a professional sport: a case study of professional road cycling

2008 ◽  
pp. 45-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
S MORROW
Keyword(s):  
Professional Sport ◽  
Road Cycling

scholarly journals A wind-tunnel case study: Increasing road cycling velocity by adopting an aerodynamically improved sprint position

2019 ◽  
pp. 175433711986696
Author(s):  
Timothy Crouch ◽  
Paolo Menaspà ◽  
Nathan Barry ◽  
Nicholas Brown ◽  
Mark C Thompson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wind Tunnel ◽  
Drag Coefficient ◽  
Aerodynamic Drag ◽  
Time Trial ◽  
Force Measurements ◽  
Sampling Errors ◽  
Repeated Testing ◽  
Road Cycling ◽  
Wind Tunnel Study

The main aim of this study was to evaluate the potential to reduce the aerodynamic drag by studying road sprint cyclists’ positions. A male and a female professional road cyclist participated in this wind-tunnel study. Aerodynamic drag measurements are presented for a total of five out-of-seat sprinting positions for each of the athletes under representative competition conditions. The largest reduction in aerodynamic drag measured for each athlete relative to their standard sprinting positions varied between 17% and 27%. The majority of this reduction in aerodynamic drag could be accounted for by changes in the athlete’s projected frontal area. The largest variation in repeat drag coefficient area measurements of out-of-seat sprint positions was 5%, significantly higher than the typical <0.5% observed for repeated testing of time-trial cycling positions. The majority of variation in repeated drag coefficient area measurements was attributed to reproducibility of position and sampling errors associated with time-averaged force measurements of large fluctuating forces.

scholarly journals Racing and Training Demands of off-Road Triathlon: A Case Study of a National Champion Masters Triathlete

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher R Harnish ◽  
Hamish A Ferguson ◽  
Gregory P Swinand
Keyword(s):  
Field Data ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Cycling Performance ◽  
Ordinary Least Squares ◽  
Technical Ability ◽  
Road Cycling ◽  
Data Files ◽  
Training Demands ◽  
Trail Running

(1) Background: This report examines the unique demands of off-road triathlon (XT) by presenting physiological, field, and race data from a national champion off-road triathlete using several years of laboratory and field data to detail training and race intensity. (2) Methods: Laboratory and field data were collected when the athlete was at near peak fitness and included oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rate (HR), power output (W), and blood lactate (BLC) during cycling and running, while HR, cycling W, and running metrics were obtained from training and race data files over a period of seven years. Intensity was described using % HR max zones (Z) 1 &amp;lt; 75%, 2 = 75 - 87%, and Zone 3 &amp;gt; 87%, and W. An ordinary least squares analysis was used to model differences between event types. (3) Results: Weather conditions were not different across events. XT events had twice the elevation change (p&amp;lt;0.01) and two-three times greater W&rsquo; (p&amp;lt; 0.001) than road triathlon (ROAD), but similar HR intensity profiles (max, avg, and zones); both events are predominately performed at &amp;gt; Z2 or higher intensity. Championship XT events were longer (p&amp;lt;0.01) , with higher kJ expenditure (p&amp;lt;0.001). OLS modelling suggested three variables were strongly related (R2 = 0.84; p &amp;lt; 0.0001) to cycling performance: event type (XT vs ROAD), total meters climbed, and total bike duration. Championship XT runs were slower than either regional (p&amp;lt;0.05) or ROAD (p&amp;lt;0.01) runs, but HR intensity profiles similar. OLS modelling indicates that slower running is linked to either greater total bike kJ expenditure (R2 = 0.57; p&amp;lt;0.001), or total meters gained (R2 = 0.52; p&amp;lt;0.001). Race simulation data support these findings but failed to produce meaningful differences in running. Conclusions: XT race demands are unique and mirror MTB and trail running demands. XT athletes must be mindful of developing anaerobic fitness, technical ability, and aerobic fitness, all of which contribute to off-road cycling economy. It is unclear whether XT cycling affects subsequent running performance different from ROAD cycling.

Identifying the Different Approaches in Use of Social Media Outlets: A Case Study of German Professional Sport Teams

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 239-261
Author(s):  
Fabian Kautz ◽  
Michael Schaffrath ◽  
Alex C. Gang
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Ice Hockey ◽  
Professional Sport ◽  
Sport Teams ◽  
Sport Industry ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
Effective Instrument ◽  
Sport Clubs ◽  
Use Of Social Media

The sport industry has long used social media as an effective instrument of communication. In the framework of the current study, a content analysis investigated how professional sport clubs in Germany use Facebook and Twitter. The study covers the entire 2015–16 season, which was illustrated via selectively choosing 2 weeks for data analysis; four clubs each from basketball, ice hockey, football, and handball were collected as a sample. All Facebook posts and Twitter tweets published by the 16 clubs during the 2 weeks, a total of 3,412 contributions (Facebook 717, Twitter 2,695), were included in the analysis. The codebook contained 57 variables, and this article presents the results on the identified topics of the published contents on the two social media platforms. On both platforms, the clubs under examination primarily issued statements regarding themselves and their sport-related activities. Twitter is predominantly used as a live medium during games, whereas Facebook allows for significantly greater reach. However, no sport-related differences were found between the two social media platforms.

Diamond Dollars Case Competition: The Mike Trout Dilemma

2013 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vince Gennaro
Keyword(s):  
Los Angeles ◽  
Major League Baseball ◽  
Professional Sport ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Sport Organizations ◽  
Case Discussion ◽  
Analytical Skills ◽  
The Many ◽  
Real World Problems

This case was prepared by the author for the Diamond Dollars Case Competition in March 2013. It was developed for the purpose of a case discussion. It contains various assumptions that were generated for illustrative purposes and is not intended to serve as a source of primary data. It takes the hypothetical 2013 performance of young baseball superstar Mike Trout to provide students with an opportunity to apply analytical skills to the types of real-world problems faced by professional sport organizations. The case study invites students to weigh the many factors that Los Angeles Angels management must consider in determining how to realistically negotiate with Trout for the benefit of the ball club following the 2013 Major League baseball season.

scholarly journals Towards an AI-Based Tailored Training Planning for Road Cyclists: A Case Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 313
Author(s):  
Alessandro Silacci ◽  
Redha Taiar ◽  
Maurizio Caon
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Training Data ◽  
Central Piece ◽  
Road Cycling ◽  
Training Plan ◽  
Resting Time ◽  
Time Distance ◽  
Road Cyclists ◽  
Cycling Training

In a world where the data is a central piece, we provide a novel technique to design training plans for road cyclists. This study exposes an in-depth review of a virtual coach based on state-of-the-art artificial intelligence techniques to schedule road cycling training sessions. Together with a dozen of road cycling participants’ training data, we were able to create and verify an e-coach dedicated to any level of road cyclists. The system can provide near-human coaching advice on the training of cycling athletes based on their past capabilities. In this case study, we extend the tests of our empirical research project and analyze the results provided by experts. Results of the conducted experiments show that the computational intelligence of our system can compete with human coaches at training planification. In this case study, we evaluate the system we previously developed and provide new insights and paths of amelioration for systems based on artificial intelligence for athletes. We observe that our system performs equal or better than the control training plans in 14 and 24 week training periods where it was evaluated as better in 4 of our 5 test components. We also report a higher statistical difference in the results of the experts’ evaluations between the control and virtual coach training plan (24 weeks; training load: X2 = 4.751; resting time quantity: X2 = 3.040; resting time distance: X2 = 2.550; efficiency: X2 = 2.142).

Empty Stands and Empty Pockets: Revenue Generation in a Pandemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (S1) ◽  
pp. S3-S5
Author(s):  
Suzannah Armentrout ◽  
Jen Zdroik ◽  
Julia Dutove
Keyword(s):  
Stakeholder Theory ◽  
Professional Sports ◽  
Professional Sport ◽  
Operational Planning ◽  
Revenue Generation ◽  
Sports Teams ◽  
The Way

The COVID-19 pandemic changed not only the way professional sports were played in 2020, but also changed the way sport-related organizations had to operate. An example of this is a fictional sports app, FanStand, that primarily offered opportunities for sports teams to engage fans through team information, in-game trivia and contests, services at games, and the purchasing of tickets and merchandise. The primary use of the app was inside arenas and stadiums, meaning that when COVID-19 stopped all play, the app was not used. Even as professional sport returned to play, fans were not attending in-person games and were not using the app. The purpose of this case study is to consider how apps like FanStand can generate revenue during the COVID-19 outbreak and beyond, using strategic and operational planning, as well as stakeholder theory, to account for various groups and individuals who are impacted by the decisions FanStand makes during this time.

Sport-For-Development Organizational Hybridity: From Differentiated to Dysfunctional

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 467-480 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katherine Raw ◽  
Emma Sherry ◽  
Katie Rowe
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
Hybrid Structure ◽  
Professional Sport ◽  
Case Study Design ◽  
Sport Team ◽  
Sport For Development ◽  
Funding Opportunities ◽  
Professional Sport Team ◽  
Insight Into

Despite recent advances in sport-for-development (SFD) literature, few scholars have empirically examined organizational hybridity in SFD contexts. This is despite hybrid organizational approaches becoming increasingly common in the delivery of SFD initiatives. Opportunities exist for researchers to build knowledge regarding SFD hybrids, particularly those which operate in professional sport contexts. In this research, we examine an SFD organization, delivered by a professional sport team, which operates under a hybrid structure. A longitudinal qualitative case study design was employed, and findings demonstrate how the SFD organization, which presents a practical example of organizational hybridity, evolved over time. Drawing upon Svensson typologies of SFD hybrids, results illustrate how the organization transformed from a differentiated hybrid into a dysfunctional hybrid, under the influence of funding opportunities and institutional logics. Through the present study, we build upon theoretical understandings of SFD hybrids and offer practical insight into the nuances of SFD hybrids delivered in professional sport contexts.

Toward Strategic and Authentic Corporate Social Responsibility in Professional Sport: A Case Study of the Detroit Lions

2014 ◽  
Vol 28 (6) ◽  
pp. 672-686 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn L. Heinze ◽  
Sara Soderstrom ◽  
Jennifer Zdroik
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Opportunity To Learn ◽  
Community Partnerships ◽  
Professional Sport ◽  
Internal Resources ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Strategic Csr ◽  
Corporate Social

The rise and institutionalization of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in sport is captured in a growing body of work in sport management. This literature suggests professional teams should be strategic in their approaches—matching internal resources with external needs—but we lack an understanding of the processes and mechanisms in the evolution to more strategic CSR, as well as specific practices that characterize these approaches. Further, by focusing on broad trends in how and why teams are adopting CSR, we miss the opportunity to learn from teams with innovative and authentic CSR approaches. To address these gaps, this article uses a qualitative case-study approach to examine how one professional team in the U.S.—the Detroit Lions—evolved their CSR to a more strategic and authentic partnership-focused model. Our findings point to key process steps and mechanisms in the decision making around, and implementation of, this approach, including the role of organizational structure, leadership, and community partnerships. We draw out themes around these central partnerships and highlight best practices. In offering a more nuanced understanding of professional sport CSR process and practice, we contribute to the literature on CSR in sport, sport-community partnerships, and sport and city revitalization.

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