Analysis software
Mobile Applications
Smart phones have paved the way for mobile analysis applications:
This analysis is focused on technical aspects of figure skating
The tools used are biomechanical in their approach:
- Highlight technical issues
- Slow-motion replay
- Show to the athlete and coach
- Implement changes to increase progression and consistency
Some examples of these packages are:
- Kandle Swinger
- Dartfish
- Quintic
References:
Quintic Biomechanics v21. [Online] Available: http://www.quintic.com/software/biomechanics/index.htm [Accessed: 02.04.13]
Shulman, C. (2002) The Complete Book of Figure Skating. Illinois: Human Kinetics.
Ubersense (2013) [Online] http://www.ubersense.com [Accessed: 04.04.13]
Why use analysis?
KPI's for axel
KPI's for sport
"Information provided to the athlete about an action is one of the most important variables affecting learning and the subsequent performance of a skill"
BBC (2006) The 2006 Winter Olympic Games on the BBC [Online] Available: http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2006/01_january/10/olympics_strom.shtml [Accessed: 04.04.13]
Casey, K. (1999) The PSA Coaches Manual. USA: PSA
Coach's Eye (2013) [Online] http://www.coachseye.com [Accessed: 04.04.13]
Comuk, N. & Erden, Z. (2012) The effect of muscular strength and endurance on technical skill in professional figure skaters. Isokinetics and Exercise Science. V20 (2): pp. 85-90
Hughes, M. & Franks, I. M. (2008) The Essentials of Performance Analysis: an introduction. Oxon: Routledge
Kostner, C. (2013) Carolina Kostner - 2013 World Figure Skating Championships - Free Skating. [Online] Available: [Accessed: 27.03.13]NISA (2012)
NISA Coaching Conference: Off Ice Training. [Online] Available: [Accessed: 06.04.13]Quintic (2013)
Hughes & Franks, 2004
- Highlight areas of strength and weakness
- Links in with coaching process
- Eliminate subjective interpretation
- Allows for comparisons between individuals
- Provide an additional aid to athlete and coach
- Record of improvement
- Feedback: instant, qualitative
- Help the athlete understand a change
- Learning styles
- Development of athlete and coach
- Strength
- Power
- Posture
- Stability
- Technical ability
- Speed and height
- Strength
- Power
- Agility
- Coordination
- Muscular Endurance
- Flexibility
- Grace
- Disciplined / motivated
- Creative / musical
Analysis: Assignment 2
Dannielle Guppy
Breakdown...
Software: the pro's and con's
Con's
Pro's
Quintic:
- It is only 2D analysis
- It is an expensive system
- For quantitative feedback: post training
- Need to understand software: not for novices
- Might need a qualified analyst
- Free trial - limited capabilities
- Can only be used with Windows operating system
1. Preparation
2. Take off
Rotation
3. Landing and exit
- Used by many governing bodies and EIS
- Side-by-side views and slow motion
- Instant, qualitative feedback
- Quantitative feedback post training
- Measure movement patterns from video or stills
- Have varying software's to cater for differing needs
- Research conducted to ensure specificity
Ubersense:
Axel jump take off in figure skating
- Limited to the camera quality on the device
- Only available on smartphones
- May be used incorrectly: inexperienced athlete
- Limited analysis tools: no angles etc.
- Only 2D
- Lacks reliability and validity
- Limited or no research
- An app: available to all, cheap
- Instant qualitative, visual feedback
- Portable and quick to set up
- Aid athlete and coach understanding
- Easy to use
- Slow-motion analysis
- Able to annotate and record voice notes
- Easy share videos via numerous platforms
iPad or Mobile video device
Cons:
Pro's:
- Limited camera quality
- Portable: not steady when recording
- Memory can be easily filled
- No slow-motion
- Portable
- No set up involved
- Allows for video sharing and upload
- Instant feedback on large screen
- Save many videos which are dated and timed
Backround information...
- Invented by Axel Paulsen - 1882
- Take off: forward outside edge, landing: backward outside edge
- The only jump to take off forwards
- It completes 1.5 rotations mid air
- Double and triple axels have 2.5 and 3.5 rotations respectively
- Most skaters hit a slight plateau learning this element
- The highest scoring single, double and triple jump
- It is also used as a pair throw jump
Anatomical Analysis of Axel take off
Skater Improvements and
Implementations
During step down phase:
- Flexion of hip, knee and ankle (dorsi-flexion) in supporting leg
- Knee and ankle of free leg flexed, hip is extended
During take off:
- Extension of hip and knee and plantar-flexion of supporting leg
- Knee and hip of free leg flexed
Muscles used:
- Tensor fascia latae (femoral abduction and hip rotation)
- Gluteals
- Iliacus (hip flexion)
- Semimembranosus, semitendinosus, bicep femoris, gracilis, sartorius (knee flexion)
- Vastus lateralis, intermedius, medialis and rectus femoris (knee extension)
- Gastrocnemius and soleus (plantar-flexion)
- Tibialis anterior and extensor hallucis longus (dorsi-flexion)
- Strength and endurance needs attention - found to be an indicator of jump success
- Attention to technique - practice quality
- Off-ice training
- Harness work
- Psychological factors - not all attempts successful
- Flexibility
- Watch elite skaters
- Regular coaching and analysis
- Walk through jumps pre-attempt - focus on quality of this to replicate jump
Off-Ice
Exercise Prescription
- Dry land jump training - analysed and under coaches tuition
- General training - bodyweight
- Plyometric training
Observational Analysis
NISA Coaching Conference, 2012
Biomechanical Analysis
Ubersense
Observational Analysis
Ubersense vs Quintic
Quintic Biomechanical v21
Step down: elite vs novice