Dominic Battaglia, based at the University of Iowa, stands as a prominent figure in the realm of sports analytics. His work is fundamentally altering the landscape of sports performance and strategy. This article explores the substantive impact of analytics, shedding light on how it's reshaping the dynamics of competitive sports.
Athletes are skilled in their field. Coaches, too, are ingeniously strategic in helping the team lead the charge. In most cases, both parties’ contributions can secure them their win. However, technology can also assist them in bringing home the gold.
Enter – sports data analytics.
Below, Dominic Battaglia discusses the importance of data analytics in sports and why the athletic world is increasingly relying on it.
Nick Battaglia of Iowa Reviews Athlete Performance Through Data Analytics
In an interview with
Sports Illustrated writer Lee Jenkins, he reported that Kevin Durant
hired a sports analyst to examine LeBron James' performance.
The NBA superstar said, “I do look at LeBron’s box score. I want to see how many points, rebounds, and assists he had, and how he shot from the field. If he had 30 points, nine rebounds and eight assists, I can tell you exactly how he did it, what type of shots he made and who he passed to."
Kevin Durant did this to strategize LeBron's performance better when faced with him again. But LeBron also uses his statistics to improve his game.
Nick Battaglia of Iowa raises the question - how do fellow athletes and coaches reap the rewards of data analytics?
• Enhanced Athlete Performance
For sports analysts and coaches to find out the players’ strengths and weaknesses, they utilize data analytics to evaluate the players’ needed areas for improvement.
Dominic Battaglia of the University of Iowa explains that some analysts put a microchip on the ball, install cameras from multiple angles of the stadium, or have players use clip-on devices.
They do these to examine the following:
- Sleep
- Heart rate
- Distance covered (or ran)
- Eye movement
- Jump height
The information that the analysts collect is vital. If the athlete isn’t getting enough sleep, it can affect their motor function. Moreover, if the player’s heart rate races easily, it can exhaust them quickly.
Nick Battaglia of Iowa says that with this data, coaches can then plan their next game strategy.
• Improved Game Strategy
Ever wonder why Conor McGregor is primarily a striker despite recently acquiring his
jiu-jitsu black belt? Those who watched his career long enough know he easily fatigues when fighting on the ground.
As stated, analytic devices can provide the
UFC star’s team with his heart rate, providing them more insight into which fighting strategies to focus on instead.
Dominic Battaglia of the University of Iowa says that these are the strategies that athletes and coaches discuss and practice during training. Furthermore, in the soccer world, data can help managers plan the position the athletes will be in during a soccer game, depending on which field they can score a goal the most.
It can also help athletes pace their running and avoid injuries when moving, depending on where the sensors detect the body parts they're prone to injuring.
However, sports wouldn’t be the same if the fans weren’t involved and invested in the games.
• Better Fan Connection
Analytics also allow sports team owners and marketing professionals to evaluate fan engagement.
Some install sensors on the stadium seats to determine how many fans are seated, while some rely on digital platforms to see how frequently the person uses the app or how often the fan purchases tickets.
Sports marketing professionals can use the gathered data for improved marketing strategies.
Together with other marketing team members, they ask the following:
- Which athlete do the fans anticipate the most?
- Which seats do the fans purchase the most?
- Where are these fans commonly located?
Nick Battaglia of Iowa notes that determining which athlete the fans highly seek can make it easier for marketing experts to promote the player more – through contests, meet-and-greets, autographs, etc.
Moreover, the marketing team can promote discounted prices in the most in-demand seating areas and schedule events where the fans commonly reside.
But what are these ground-breaking technologies – and how do they work?
Revolutionizing Sports Through Technology
To gather sports data analytics, it must consist of the following:
Data Generator
Data generators are simply the software or programs that data analysts can use – data generators store the data.
However, there wouldn’t be stored data if nobody produced it.
Data Carrier
In sports analytics, athletes are typically the data carriers. Some of them automatically send information about their physical condition by wearing smart clothing – a type of clothing with biometric sensors.
Nick Battaglia of Iowa says that in addition, some golf lovers are using
Cobra’s Arccos Smart Caddie – which also has a sensor that can help golfers analyze their swing through software.
However, others also want to analyze and use the data.
Data Receiver
In an age where data is vital, others can also use sports data to aid in marketing promotions. Such as:
- Media
- Software developers (of the utilized technology)
- Fans and sports bettors
- Stadium and sports team owners
Conclusion
Dominic Battaglia from the University of Iowa explains that data analytics contributes to the evolution of sports and better athlete performances. Moreover, it also allows sports marketing experts to keep fans engaged in the sport, as well as draw new audiences to sports.
With all the technology contributing to people's everyday lives, it’s about time that the sports world also utilizes these innovations – and perhaps use more of these advancements in the future.
Sports are already entertaining as is – but we can anticipate it will even be better once more people use data analytics.
