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A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Applied Biosciences and Bioengineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 April 2022) | Viewed by 14196

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Special Issue Editor

Dr. Christian W. Dawson

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Guest Editor

Computer Science Department, Loughborough University, Loughborough LE11 3TU, UK
Interests: environmental modelling; artificial neural networks; rainfall-runoff modelling; sports performance analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Artificial neural networks are machine learning tools, which—like natural neural networks—can learn to recognize and classify patterns and model problems that are difficult to define. These abilities are well suited in analysing and planning tactical patterns in sports games or patterns of learning behaviour in training processes. Especially in the field of competitive sports, research questions are usually located in complex environments. In these cases, artificial neural networks might be successfully applied to analyse data and identify as yet, unknown information and inter-relationships.

We invite papers to this Special Issue “Application of Artificial Neural Networks in Sports Performance Analysis” in the Applied Sciences journal pertaining to the following: artificial neural networks; AI techniques; sport science; sporting performance prediction; injury risk assessment; team sports.

Dr. Christian Dawson
Guest Editor

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Keywords

artificial neural networks
AI techniques
sport science
sporting performance prediction
injury risk assessment
team sports

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

13 pages, 1372 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Constructing a Gaming Model for Professional Tennis Players Using the C5.0 Algorithm

by Che-Wei Chang and Yu-Ran Qiu

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(16), 8222; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12168222 - 17 Aug 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2363

Abstract

Professional tennis players have their own habits of tactics and play. However, players’ shortcomings can be corrected by constantly practicing professional techniques and by tactical analysis. Therefore, this study aimed to develop a two-stage, expert decision-making system for tennis matches. The first stage consisted in dividing the court area and defining the technical classification of the net. Tennis coaches were invited to assess tennis players’ skills on the competition court, dividing it into 48 areas on both sides of the court centerline and identifying the skills used by the players. In the second stage, a classification model was developed, and the score, hitting habits, and tennis skills of the players, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, over 10 matches, played from 2007 to 2019, were analyzed and classified using notational analysis and the C5.0 decision tree algorithm. The results show that the two players’ highest scored techniques were the forehand stroke in the backcourt and the backhand stroke in the half court. Thus, using this expert decision-making system, our data can provide other players with imaginary training objects from two of the top players in the world to be used during training and can allow the accumulation of experience for players through continuous simulation and training analysis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sports Performance Analysis)

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9 pages, 261 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Relationship between Accuracy, Speed, and Consistency in a Modern Pentathlon Shooting Event

by Jongchul Park, Seunghun Lee and Sabin Chun

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(15), 7852; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12157852 - 4 Aug 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1995

Abstract

In the modern pentathlon, the laser run is the highest influence on the results, and fast and accurate shooting is essential. This study evaluates the relationship between shooting characteristics (shot speed, consistency, accuracy) according to sex, competition type, and round number during laser run competitions among 19,648 modern shooting round cases from 2015 to 2019. As a result, men showed faster shot speed than women (p < 0.05, d = 0.493), and final rounds were significantly better than qualifier round in shot speed (p < 0.05, d = 0.176), consistency (p < 0.05, d = 0.138), and accuracy (p < 0.05, d = 0.151). Series-1 had the highest consistency (p < 0.05,

η_{p}^{2}

= 0.01) and accuracy (p < 0.05,

η_{p}^{2}

= 0.07) compared to other series. Series-4 had the lowest shooting speed (p < 0.05,

η_{p}^{2}

= 0.01) compared to other series. Consistency and speed showed moderate positive correlation (r = 0.362, p < 0.05). These results show differences in shot characteristics according to sex, competition type, and round number, and explain the relationship between shot speed and consistency. We believe these results will help relevant coaches and players aiming to improve performance understand shot characteristics and reduce shot time. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sports Performance Analysis)

11 pages, 290 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Flexibility on Vertical Jump, Balance and Speed in Amateur Football Players

by Daniel Bogalho, Ricardo Gomes, Rui Mendes, Gonçalo Dias and Maria António Castro

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(11), 5425; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12115425 - 27 May 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 7371

Abstract

Muscle strength, power, balance and speed assume decisive roles in football performance. This study aims to investigate whether lower limb flexibility, particularly the hip flexors and knee extensor and flexor muscles, are correlated with vertical jump performance, balance and speed in adult football players. A sample of 22 male amateur football players (age: 22.3 ± 3 years; height: 175.4 ± 7.4 cm; weight: 74.9 ± 11.6 kg; BMI: 24.2 ± 2.6 kg/m²) were assessed for lower limb flexibility, vertical jump, balance and speed. Results indicated that vertical jump ability is moderately correlated with left knee extensors flexibility (ρ = −0.426; p = 0.048), which did not occur on the right side. There were no statistically significant correlations between vertical jump and knee flexors flexibility (ρ = 0.330; p = 0.133). In balance, the reaching distance on the right side presented a moderate and statistically significant correlation with the knee flexors flexibility (ρ = 0.411; p = 0.040), which was not observed on the left side. Velocity was not correlated with the knee extensors flexibility (right: ρ = 0.360; p = 0.100; left: ρ = 0.386; p = 0.076), or with the knee flexors flexibility (ρ = −0.173; p = 0.440). In conclusion, the influence of flexibility on vertical jump ability, balance and speed appears to exist. Further research should seek to clarify the associations between these abilities. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sports Performance Analysis)

11 pages, 266 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of Anthropometric and Physiological Profiles of Hungarian Female Rowers across Age Categories, Rankings, and Stages of Sports Career

by Robert Podstawski, Krzysztof Borysławski, Ferenc Ihasz, Andrzej Pomianowski, Jacek Wąsik and Piotr Gronek

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(5), 2649; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12052649 - 4 Mar 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1730

Abstract

There is very little research on the anthropometric and physiological profiles of lower-ranked young female athletes, even though, in most rowing clubs, such rowers constitute the vast majority. Therefore, this study investigated the anthropometric and physiological profiles of young Hungarian female rowers of different age categories and sports rankings (international vs. club). Anthropometric and physiological profiles were created for 36 junior (15–16 years), 26 older-junior (17–18 years), and 8 senior (19–21 years) female rowers who were club and international ranked members of seven of the largest Hungarian rowing clubs. Rowers >17-years-old with international rankings significantly outperformed their age-group peers with club rankings in terms of power, absolute VO_{2 max}, and time to cover 2000 m, among other differences, but such differences were not observed with junior rowers. In all age groups, the length of the athletes’ sports career was not significantly associated with differences in anthropometric and physiological characteristics. This study suggests that ranking is not associated with differences in the anthropometric and physiological characteristics of juniors. Thus, with non-elite juniors, it can be more difficult to predict competition outcomes based on differences in anthropometric and physiological profiles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Sports Performance Analysis)

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