How to Measure Sports Performance: Volume vs. Intensity

A group of researchers set out to assess the impact Plyometric training might have on improving vertical jumps (and other performance metrics) of handball players at the elite or national level. Here’s what they learned.

Injury recovery is a critical aspect of sports, and it’s where data can make a significant impact. As Rik van Waes, the Head Strength and Conditioning for the Heroes Den Bosch professional basketball team, puts it, ​“Returning to play after an injury is one of the major things that data can contribute to.”

Each year, thousands of handball fans converge at the REWE Final4, while millions tune in from home. Alongside the Handball Bundesliga, it doesn’t get much bigger than this. Except this year. 

Imagine the power and agility of an Olympic athlete combined with the strength and endurance of a handball player. That’s exactly what a recent study set out to explore. The goal? To unlock new levels of performance for women handball players. 

Researchers from the Bundesliga club, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, are conducting a study on the influence of the menstrual cycle on the performance of women athletes. Dr. Sascha Härtel and Dr. Ludwig Ruf shared insights into the research, and talked about what is still needed.

Sports analytics and data-driven forecasting play crucial roles in European basketball. Researchers are trying to identify essential performance metrics and effective coaching strategies. What they’re finding is that one type of shot is more popular than the rest.

As Head of Performance at Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, Kostas Chatzichristos knows basketball analytics. He explains why coaches need to collect data on all players — even the ones who aren’t getting minutes.

In football, recovery is as important as training. Recently, the sports medicine staff from the University of Louisiana conducted an experiment to gauge the impact Firefly Recovery Devices may have on a player’s recovery with the help of live data from KINEXON Sports.

Basketball coaches and players strive to understand the intricacies of each shot. But using a video analysis software, that doubles as basketball shot tracking app, promises to be the Holy Grail for those seeking comprehensive insights. 

Volleyball positions require speed, agility, power, and precision. But how do you know if your team is performing at its best? How do you measure your progress and identify your strengths and weaknesses? This is where player metrics and analytics come in.

How can players optimize their performance and avoid wasting steps on the court? That’s the question Jeremy Portillo, the sports performance coach for Evansville University men’s basketball team, was asked on a recent episode of ​“The Extra Edge” podcast. He gave a jaw-dropping answer.

Athletic ability is often associated with an athlete’s explosive speed and acceleration. That’s why acceleration is often called one of the cornerstones of excellence in athletic performance. But did you know that it can be improved with the right tools and training methods?

Author: Dave Grendzynski

Lyle Henley, the Director of Sport Performance for the University of Alabama Birmingham. football team. He’s a strong advocate for sports data. He shares his story of how he sold his old school head coach, Trent Dilfer, on the idea of using data.

Coaches, players, media, and fans crave real-time insights to enhance performance, strategy, and engagement in American Football. Now, LPS technology is providing just that. Giving everyone in the stands, and watching at home, a view of the game they have never seen before. 

Author: Dave Grendzynski

Tyler Friedrich is the sports performance coach for the women’s volleyball team at Stanford University. He’s been helping them improve their strength, speed, agility, endurance, and jump height for more than 8 years. He says to stay on top, there’s one thing coaches should avoid.