The effect of stimulus intensity on response time and accuracy in dynamic, temporally constrained environments

The ability to make accurate judgments and execute effective skilled movements under severe temporal constraints are fundamental to elite performance in a number of domains including sport, military combat, law enforcement, and medicine. In two experiments, we examine the effect of stimulus strength on response time and accuracy in a temporally constrained, real-world, decision-making task. Specifically, we examine the effect of low stimulus intensity (black) and high stimulus intensity (sequin) uniform designs, worn by teammates, to determine the effect of stimulus strength on the ability of soccer players to make rapid and accurate responses. In both field- and laboratory-based scenarios, professional soccer players viewed developing patterns of play and were required to make a penetrative pass to an attacking player. Significant differences in response accuracy between uniform designs were reported in laboratory- and field-based experiments. Response accuracy was significantly higher in the sequin compared with the black uniform condition. Response times only differed between uniform designs in the laboratory-based experiment. These findings extend the literature into a real-world environment and have significant implications for the design of clothing wear in a number of domains

Evaluating the effectiveness of styles of play in elite soccer

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of styles of play in soccer and the influence of contextual variables (i.e. match status, venue and quality of opposition). Team possessions (n = 68,766) from the 380 matches of the 2015–2016 English Premier League season were collected for this study. The Possession Effectiveness Index, based on Expected Goals and Ball Movement Points metrics, was used to measure the effectiveness of team possessions. Linear mixed models were applied to analyse the influence of contextual variables on the effectiveness score for each style. Results showed that the effectiveness of Direct Play, Counterattack, Maintenance and Crossing significantly increased when teams were winning by two or more goals. Counterattack increased its effectiveness when teams were winning by one goal and reduced its effectiveness when losing by one goal. The effectiveness of Direct Play increased when losing by two goals or more. Playing away negatively affected the effectiveness of Direct Play, Maintenance and High Pressure. In addition, playing against a stronger opposition reduced the effectiveness of all styles of play. The results suggest that the effectiveness of styles of play changes under specific circumstances and that not all contextual variables affect them in the same way

PERFORMANCE ANALISYS IN PROFESIONAL ICE HOCKEY: USING TRACKING DATA TO COMBINE TACTICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS

Conference poste

Effect of expertise on diagnosis accuracy, non-technical skills and thought processes during simulated high-fidelity anaesthetist scenarios

Background The expert performance approach can be used to examine expertise during representative field-based tasks, while collecting process-tracing measures such as think-aloud verbal reports. Collecting think-aloud verbal reports provides an insight into the cognitive mechanisms that support performance during tasks. Method We examined the thought processes and performance of anaesthetists during simulated environments. Verbal reports of thinking and the anaesthetists’ non-technical skills (ANTS) were recorded to examine cognitive processes, non-technical behaviours and diagnosis accuracy during fully immersive, high-fidelity medical scenarios. Skilled (n=6) and less skilled (n=9) anaesthetists were instructed to respond to medical scenarios experienced in theatre. Results Skilled participants demonstrated higher diagnosis accuracy and ANTS scores compared to less skilled participants. Furthermore, skilled participants engaged in deeper thinking and verbalised more evaluation, prediction and deep planning statements. Conclusions The ability to employ an effective cognitive processing strategy, more efficient non-technical behaviours and superior diagnosis is associated with superior performance in skilled participants

Finding repeatable progressive pass clusters and application in international football

Progressive passing in football (soccer) is a key aspect in creating positive possession outcomes. Whilst this is well established, there is not a consistent way to describe the different types of progressive passes. We expand on the previous literature, providing a complete methodological approach to progressive pass clustering from selection of the number of clusters (k) to risk-reward profiling of these progressive pass types. In this paper the Separation and Concordance (SeCo) framework is utilised to provide a process to analyse k-means clustering solutions in a more repeatable way. The results demonstrate that we can find stable progressive pass clusters in International Football and their efficacy with progressive passes “Mid Central to Mid Half Space” in build-up and “Mid Half Space to Final Central” into the final 3rd having the best balance between risk (turnover) and reward (shot created) in the subsequent possession. This allowed for opposition profiling of player and team patterns in different phases of play, with a case study presented for the teams in the Last 16 of the 2022 World Cup

A case study of the use of verbal reports for talent identification purposes in soccer: A Messi affair!

Using a two-study approach, the main purpose of this case study was to explore the use of a verbal reporting methodology to better understand the thought processes of soccer talent scouts during an in-situ talent identification environment. Study 1 developed a standardized coding-scheme to examine verbal cognitions during a single soccer game. Study 2 then utilized this methodology to examine two full-time recruitment staff trained in the use of concurrent verbal reporting before undertaking a live, in-game task. Participants also participated in a debrief interview following the game. The findings of the two studies suggest that developing a verbal reporting protocol is viable, however when applied in a live-game environment it is problematic. Future research should therefore consider a modified version of this task to further explore the cognition's of scouts whilst observing and identifying potential talent