Using principal component analysis to develop performance indicators in professional rugby league

AbstractThis study aims to investigate the effect of training mode (conditioning and skills) on multivariate training load relationships in professional rugby league via principal component analysis. Four measures of training load (internal: heart rate exertion index, session rating of perceived exertion; external: PlayerLoad™, individualised high-speed distance) were collected from 23 professional male rugby league players over the course of one 12 wk preseason period. Training was categorised by mode (skills or conditioning) and then subjected to a principal component analysis. Extraction criteria were set at an eigenvalue of greater than 1. Modes that extracted more than 1 principal component were subject to a varimax rotation. Skills extracted 1 principal component, explaining 57% of the variance. Conditioning extracted 2 principal components (1st: internal; 2nd: external), explaining 85% of the variance. The presence of multiple training load dimensions (principal components) during conditioning training provides further evidence of the influence of training mode on the ability of individual measures of external or internal training load to capture training variance. Consequently, a combination of internal and external training-load measures is required during certain training modes.

Download Full-text

Application of Benchmarking and Principal Component Analysis in Measuring Performance of Public Irrigation Schemes in Kenya

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture8100162 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 8 (10) ◽

pp. 162 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Faith Muema ◽

Patrick Home ◽

James Raude

Keyword(s):

Principal Component Analysis ◽

Performance Indicators ◽

Principal Component ◽

Component Analysis ◽

Performance Score ◽

Irrigation Scheme ◽

Western Kenya ◽

Average Performance ◽

Management Measures ◽

Linear Aggregation

The inefficient water use, and variable and low productivity in Kenyan public irrigation schemes is a major concern. It is, therefore, necessary to periodically monitor and evaluate the performance of public irrigation schemes. This prompted evaluation of performance of three rice growing irrigation schemes in western Kenya using benchmarking and principal component analysis. The aim of the study was to quantify and rank the performance of selected irrigation schemes. The performance of the irrigation schemes was evaluated for the period from 2012 to 2016 using eleven performance indicators under agricultural productivity, water supply and financial performance categories. The performance indicators were weighted using principal component analysis and combined to form a single performance score using linear aggregation method. The average performance in the Ahero, West Kano and Bunyala irrigation schemes was 48%, 49% and 56%, respectively. Based on performance score, the Bunyala irrigation scheme is the highest performing rice irrigation scheme in western Kenya. The three irrigation schemes have an average performance. Operation and management measures to improve the current performance of the irrigation schemes are needed.

Download Full-text

Using Principal Component Analysis to Compare the Physical Qualities Between Academy and International Youth Rugby League Players

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.2021-0049 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Sam McCormack ◽

Ben Jones ◽

Sean Scantlebury ◽

Neil Collins ◽

Cameron Owen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Principal Component Analysis ◽

Body Mass ◽

Principal Component ◽

Quality Measures ◽

Component Analysis ◽

Rugby League ◽

Maximum Speed ◽

Countermovement Jump ◽

Data Set ◽

Physical Quality

Purpose: To compare the physical qualities between academy and international youth rugby league (RL) players using principal component analysis. Methods: Six hundred fifty-four males (age = 16.7 [1.4] y; height = 178.4 [13.3] cm; body mass = 82.2 [14.5] kg) from 11 English RL academies participated in this study. Participants completed anthropometric, power (countermovement jump), strength (isometric midthigh pull; IMTP), speed (10 and 40 m speed), and aerobic endurance (prone Yo-Yo IR1) assessments. Principal component analysis was conducted on all physical quality measures. A 1-way analysis of variance with effect sizes was performed on 2 principal components (PCs) to identify differences between academy and international backs, forwards, and pivots at under 16 and 18 age groups. Results: Physical quality measures were reduced to 2 PCs explaining 69.4% of variance. The first PC (35.3%) was influenced by maximum and 10-m momentum, absolute IMTP, and body mass. Ten and forty-meter speed, body mass and fat, prone Yo-Yo, IMTP relative, maximum speed, and countermovement jump contributed to PC2 (34.1%). Significant differences (P < .05, effect size = −1.83) were identified between U18 academy and international backs within PC1. Conclusion: Running momentum, absolute IMTP, and body mass contributed to PC1, while numerous qualities influenced PC2. The physical qualities of academy and international youth RL players are similar, excluding U18 backs. Principal component analysis can reduce the dimensionality of a data set and help identify overall differences between playing levels. Findings suggest that RL practitioners should measure multiple physical qualities when assessing physical performance.

Download Full-text

Multivariate Exploratory Comparative Analysis of LaLiga Teams: Principal Component Analysis

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18063176 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (6) ◽

pp. 3176

Author(s):

Claudio A. Casal ◽

José L. Losada ◽

Daniel Barreira ◽

Rubén Maneiro

Keyword(s):

Principal Component Analysis ◽

Comparative Analysis ◽

Linear Regression ◽

Multiple Linear Regression ◽

Performance Indicators ◽

Principal Component ◽

Component Analysis ◽

Data Matrix ◽

Performance Factors ◽

Extensive Data

The use of principal component analysis (PCA) provides information about the main characteristics of teams, based on a set of indicators, instead of displaying individualized information for each of these indicators. In this work we have considered reducing an extensive data matrix to improve interpretation, using PCA. Subsequently, with new components and with multiple linear regression, we have carried out a comparative analysis between the best and bottom teams of LaLiga. The sample consisted of the matches corresponding to the 2015/16, 2016/17 and 2017/18 seasons. The results showed that the best teams were characterized and differentiated from bottom teams in the realization of a greater number of successful passes and in the execution of a greater number of dynamic offensive transitions. The bottom teams were characterized by executing more defensive than offensive actions, showing fewer number of goals and a greater ball possession time in the final third of the field. Goals, ball possession time in the final third of the field, number of effective shots and crosses are the main discriminating performance factors of football. This information allows us to increase knowledge about the key performance indicators (KPI) in football.

Download Full-text

A German version of the Intermittent Claudication Questionnaire (ICQ): cultural adaptation and validation

VASA ◽

10.1024/0301-1526/a000218 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 41 (5) ◽

pp. 333-342 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Kirchberger ◽

Finger ◽

Müller-Bühl

Keyword(s):

Principal Component Analysis ◽

Intermittent Claudication ◽

Completion Time ◽

Short Form ◽

Principal Component ◽

Component Analysis ◽

German Version ◽

Average Completion Time ◽

Sf 36 ◽

Related Quality

Background: The Intermittent Claudication Questionnaire (ICQ) is a short questionnaire for the assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients with intermittent claudication (IC). The objective of this study was to translate the ICQ into German and to investigate the psychometric properties of the German ICQ version in patients with IC. Patients and methods: The original English version was translated using a forward-backward method. The resulting German version was reviewed by the author of the original version and an experienced clinician. Finally, it was tested for clarity with 5 German patients with IC. A sample of 81 patients were administered the German ICQ. The sample consisted of 58.0 % male patients with a median age of 71 years and a median IC duration of 36 months. Test of feasibility included completeness of questionnaires, completion time, and ratings of clarity, length and relevance. Reliability was assessed through a retest in 13 patients at 14 days, and analysis of Cronbachs alpha for internal consistency. Construct validity was investigated using principal component analysis. Concurrent validity was assessed by correlating the ICQ scores with the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) as well as clinical measures. Results: The ICQ was completely filled in by 73 subjects (90.1 %) with an average completion time of 6.3 minutes. Cronbachs alpha coefficient reached 0.75. Intra-class correlation for test-retest reliability was r = 0.88. Principal component analysis resulted in a 3 factor solution. The first factor explained 51.5 of the total variation and all items had loadings of at least 0.65 on it. The ICQ was significantly associated with the SF-36 and treadmill-walking distances whereas no association was found for resting ABPI. Conclusions: The German version of the ICQ demonstrated good feasibility, satisfactory reliability and good validity. Responsiveness should be investigated in further validation studies.

Download Full-text