scholarly journals Conceptualising Rugby League Performance Within an Ecological Dynamics Framework: Providing Direction for Player Preparation and Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tannath J. Scott ◽  
Colin E. Sanctuary ◽  
Matthew S. Tredrea ◽  
Adrian J. Gray
Keyword(s):  
Traditional Approach ◽  
Team Sports ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Rugby League ◽  
Performance Model ◽  
Linear Processes ◽  
Match Play ◽  
Ecological Dynamics ◽  
Performance Preparation ◽  
And Performance

AbstractAcross team sports, it is critically important to appropriately define, evaluate and then aptly describe individual and team performance. This is of particular significance when we consider that performance models govern the direction of player preparation (short term) and development (long term) frameworks. Within the context of rugby league, this has traditionally been undertaken through hierarchical and linear processes. Such approaches have resulted in research and performance analysis techniques which aim to support these operational outcomes. Yet, these methods may deliver limited application on how or why match-play unfolds and therefore might be sub-optimal in providing insights to truly support coaches. In this paper, we propose the conceptualisation of rugby league performance through the lens of ecological dynamics, which may offer a different view to this traditional approach. We propose that this approach eliminates the silos of disciplinary information (e.g. technical, physical and medical) that may currently exist, allowing for a holistic approach to performance, preparation and development. Specifically, we consider that through the implementation of this ecological approach, all performance coaches (technical, physical and medical) may (co-)design learning environments that more collaboratively develop players for rugby league match-play. As a result, we put forward a new rugby league performance model from which preparation and development programs can be anchored toward. We conclude the paper by offering practical examples where these concepts are contextualised within the landscape familiar to practitioners working within rugby league.

scholarly journals Repeated Sprints: An Independent Not Dependent Variable

2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 693-696 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan M. Taylor ◽  
Tom W. Macpherson ◽  
Iain R. Spears ◽  
Matthew Weston
Keyword(s):  
Team Sports ◽  
Sport Performance ◽  
Performance Measure ◽  
Match Play ◽  
Repeated Sprints ◽  
Training Strategy ◽  
Repeated Sprint ◽  
Independent Variable ◽  
And Performance ◽  
The Relationship

The ability to repeatedly perform sprints has traditionally been viewed as a key performance measure in team sports, and the relationship between repeated-sprint ability (RSA) and performance has been explored extensively. However, when reviewing the repeated-sprint profile of team-sports match play it appears that the occurrence of repeated-sprint bouts is sparse, indicating that RSA is not as important to performance as commonly believed. Repeated sprints are, however, a potent and time-efficient training strategy, effective in developing acceleration, speed, explosive leg power, aerobic power, and high-intensity-running performance—all of which are crucial to team-sport performance. As such, we propose that repeated-sprint exercise in team sports should be viewed as an independent variable (eg, a means of developing fitness) as opposed to a dependent variable (eg, a means of assessing fitness/performance).

scholarly journals Specialist Coaching Integrated into a Department of Methodology in Team Sports Organisations

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabian W. Otte ◽  
Martyn Rothwell ◽  
Carl Woods ◽  
Keith Davids
Keyword(s):  
High Performance ◽  
Contextual Information ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Team Sports ◽  
Rugby League ◽  
Support Staff ◽  
Sport Science ◽  
Australian Football ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Training Programmes

AbstractWith increasing resources in sports organisations being allocated to the development and preparation of individual athletes and sub-groups with specialist performance roles, the work of coaches, specialist (role) coaches and support staff needs to be functionally and coherently integrated. This integration of sport science support and coaching can be administered by staff in a Department of Methodology (DoM). Particularly, in this paper, we propose how specialist coaching can be situated in a DoM, presenting a model advocating effective functioning in high-performance team sports organisations. Using principles of ecological dynamics, we provide a rationale for a functional methodology for the design of practice tasks in a DoM that views learners as wayfinders, self-regulating their way through competitive performance environments. This rationale for athlete self-regulation in practice could improve athlete performance by enhancing problem solving, engagement with constraints of learning designs and supporting better attunement to contextual information abundant in a competitive environment. Finally, by introducing this unified and multidisciplinary DoM, specialist coaches, team coaches and sport science support staff, within the organisational structure, can collaboratively debate and co-design individualised athlete training programmes to enrich skill adaptability and performance functionality. To underline these contentions, three high-performance sport case studies from Australian Football: goalkeeping in Association Football and Rugby League are presented.

scholarly journals Effectiveness and efficiency of virtual reality designs to enhance athlete development: an ecological dynamics perspective

2018 ◽  
pp. 51-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph Anthony Stone ◽  
Ben William Strafford ◽  
Jamie Stephen North ◽  
Ciaran Toner ◽  
Keith Davids
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Skill Acquisition ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Ecological Dynamics ◽  
Performance Preparation ◽  
Effectiveness And Efficiency ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Developing Area ◽  
And Training ◽  
Scientific Rationale

A rapidly developing area of research is focused on the use of virtual reality (VR) systems to enhance athlete performance in sport. The assumption is that, implementation of such technologies will enhance skill acquisition and expedite athlete development. However, application of such technologies for enriching athlete development and performance preparation needs to be efficiently and effectively used by coaches and athletes to save time, energy and other resources in practice and training. Here, we argue that implementation of VR systems needs to be grounded in theory, with learning designs informed by a clear scientific rationale. We discuss how the full potential of VR systems can be utilised through implementing a theoretical framework, like ecological dynamics, to shape their application. We outline how an ecological dynamics framework can underpin research and applications of VR in athlete development through: (i) individualised training and assessment programmes; (ii) supporting exploration of variable and creative practice environments; (iii) ensuring context-dependent perception and decision making, and actions, where technology permits. An ecological dynamics rationale proposes how VR systems, when carefully implemented, can enrich and enhance learning designs, but can never replace coaching support for learning during physical practice.

scholarly journals Influence of Knowledge of Task Endpoint on Pacing and Performance During Simulated Rugby League Match Play

2017 ◽  
Vol 12 (9) ◽  
pp. 1192-1198 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie Highton ◽  
Thomas Mullen ◽  
Craig Twist
Keyword(s):  
High Intensity ◽  
Perceived Exertion ◽  
Random Order ◽  
Exercise Duration ◽  
Rugby League ◽  
Rating Of Perceived Exertion ◽  
Match Play ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Rugby Players ◽  
Trial Participants

Purpose:To examine the influence of knowledge of exercise duration on pacing and performance during simulated rugby league match play. Methods:Thirteen male university rugby players completed 3 simulated rugby league matches (RLMSP-i) on separate days in a random order. In a control trial, participants were informed that they would be performing 2 × 23-min bouts (separated by 20 min) of the RLMSP-i (CON). In a second trial, participants were informed that they would be performing 1 × 23-min bout of the protocol but were then asked to perform another 23-min bout (DEC). In a third trial, participants were not informed of the exercise duration and performed 2 × 23-min bouts (UN). Results:Distance covered and high-intensity running were higher in CON (4813 ± 167 m, 26 ± 4.1 m/min) than DEC (4764 ± 112 m, 25.2 ± 2.8 m/min) and UN (4744 ± 131 m, 24.4 m/min). Compared with CON, high-intensity running and peak speed were typically higher for DEC in bout 1 and lower in bout 2 of the RLMSP-i, while UN was generally lower throughout. Similarly, DEC resulted in an increased heart rate, blood lactate, and rating of perceived exertion than CON in bout 1, whereas these variables were lower throughout the protocol in UN. Conclusions:Pacing and performance during simulated rugby league match play depend on an accurate understanding of the exercise endpoint. Applied practitioners should consider informing players of their likely exercise duration to maximize running.

Local Calibration of Pavement Mechanistic-Empirical Faulting Reliability using Pavement Management Data

2021 ◽  
pp. 036119812110013
Author(s):  
Lucio Salles de Salles ◽  
Lev Khazanovich
Keyword(s):  
Model Calibration ◽  
Prediction Models ◽  
Plain Concrete ◽  
Performance Model ◽  
Pavement Management ◽  
Pavement Design ◽  
Reliability Model ◽  
Transverse Joint ◽  
Design Characteristics ◽  
And Performance

The Pavement ME transverse joint faulting model incorporates mechanistic theories that predict development of joint faulting in jointed plain concrete pavements (JPCP). The model is calibrated using the Long-Term Pavement Performance database. However, the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) encourages transportation agencies, such as state departments of transportation, to perform local calibrations of the faulting model included in Pavement ME. Model calibration is a complicated and effort-intensive process that requires high-quality pavement design and performance data. Pavement management data—which is collected regularly and in large amounts—may present higher variability than is desired for faulting performance model calibration. The MEPDG performance prediction models predict pavement distresses with 50% reliability. JPCP are usually designed for high levels of faulting reliability to reduce likelihood of excessive faulting. For design, improving the faulting reliability model is as important as improving the faulting prediction model. This paper proposes a calibration of the Pavement ME reliability model using pavement management system (PMS) data. It illustrates the proposed approach using PMS data from Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Results show an increase in accuracy for faulting predictions using the new reliability model with various design characteristics. Moreover, the new reliability model allows design of JPCP considering higher levels of traffic because of the less conservative predictions.

scholarly journals Applications of soft computing models for predicting sea surface temperature: a comprehensive review and assessment

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Masoud Haghbin ◽  
Ahmad Sharafati ◽  
Davide Motta ◽  
Nadhir Al-Ansari ◽  
Mohamadreza Hosseinian Moghadam Noghani
Keyword(s):  
Surface Temperature ◽  
Sea Surface Temperature ◽  
Soft Computing ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Linear Processes ◽  
Comprehensive Review ◽  
Droughts And Floods ◽  
Input Variables ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Computing Models

AbstractThe application of soft computing (SC) models for predicting environmental variables is widely gaining popularity, because of their capability to describe complex non-linear processes. The sea surface temperature (SST) is a key quantity in the analysis of sea and ocean systems, due to its relation with water quality, organisms, and hydrological events such as droughts and floods. This paper provides a comprehensive review of the SC model applications for estimating SST over the last two decades. Types of model (based on artificial neural networks, fuzzy logic, or other SC techniques), input variables, data sources, and performance indices are discussed. Existing trends of research in this field are identified, and possible directions for future investigation are suggested.

Reasons for keeping dairy goats in Tanzania, and possible goals for a sustainable breeding program

2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 338 ◽  
Author(s):  
Z. C. Nziku ◽  
G. C. Kifaro ◽  
L. O. Eik ◽  
T. Steine ◽  
T. Ådnøy
Keyword(s):  
Milk Yield ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Breeding Program ◽  
Dairy Goat ◽  
Dairy Goats ◽  
Quantitative And Qualitative Research ◽  
Animal Identification ◽  
Breeding Goals ◽  
And Performance

This research aimed at describing reasons for keeping dairy goats in Tanzania, and possible goals for a sustainable breeding program. Three districts, each representing a unique dairy goat breed population, were selected for the study. The Saanen, Toggenburg and Norwegian were the main dairy goat breeds in Arumeru, Babati, and Mvomero districts, respectively. A total of 125 dairy goat farmers were interviewed. A holistic approach of both quantitative and qualitative research methods was used to study the perceptions of farmers. More milk yield, sale of breeding stock and manure were the highest ranked reasons for keeping dairy goats. The reasons were coherent to the production systems. The three most preferred traits for improvement were milk yield, adaptability and twinning ability. These preferences were absolutely important in the context of the referred production system. Selection of replacement stock, animal identification and performance recording were the main challenges emphasised by farmers. The present study views these challenges as a result of knowledge gaps in animal breeding that require solutions. Based on result findings it is suggested that the milk yield and survival traits should be the primary dairy goat breeding goals. Generally, there are possibilities for developing sustainable dairy goat breeding programs in the surveyed areas given relevant breeding goals are incorporated. The design of simple and manageable dairy goat breeding schemes is necessary.

Business Analytics and Firm Agility and Performance--Model

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amir Ashrafi ◽  
Ahad Zare Ravasan ◽  
Peter Trkman ◽  
Samira Afshari
Keyword(s):  
Performance Model ◽  
Business Analytics ◽  
And Performance
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