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Applied Sciences
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Current Approaches to Sport Performance Analysis
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Current Approaches to Sport Performance Analysis

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 November 2025 | Viewed by 2398

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Vasileios Armatas

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Physical Education and Sport Science, National Kapodistrian University of Athens, 17237 Athens, Greece
Interests: performance analysis; home advantage; soccer analytics
Dr. Sotirios Drikos

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Physical Education and Sport Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 17237 Athens, Greece
Interests: performance analysis; talent identification; sport analytics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

A ceaseless quest for knowledge and innovation has historically underpinned a relentless pursuit of athletic excellence. In recent years, the field of sport performance analysis has witnessed a paradigm shift, catalyzed by technological advancements, data-driven insights, and a more profound understanding of human physiology and biomechanics. This Special Issue seeks to highlight state-of-the-art research and practical applications that are redefining the landscape of sport performance. By fostering a collaborative dialogue between academics and practitioners, we aspire to inspire novel ideas, address emerging challenges, and ultimately enhance the performance of athletes at all levels. This includes exploring topics such as the development of innovative technologies for performance measurement, the application of sport analytics and big data, and the optimization of training and recovery strategies.

Dr. Vasileios Armatas
Dr. Sotirios Drikos
Guest Editors

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • performance analysis
  • sport analytics
  • training and recovery strategies

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 2674 KiB  
Article
Using Age- and Size-Corrected Measures of Technical Skill to Better Assess the Performances of Youth Soccer Players
by Thiago V. Camata, Andrew H. Hunter, Nicholas M. A. Smith, Mathew S. Crowther, Paulo R. P. Santiago and Robbie S. Wilson
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(9), 4658; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15094658 - 23 Apr 2025
Viewed by 511
Abstract
Youth soccer academies are dominated by the older players in each annual age cohort because they are judged to be better at the time of selection. Failing to identify talented players because they are simply younger in their cohort is a problem of [...] Read more.
Youth soccer academies are dominated by the older players in each annual age cohort because they are judged to be better at the time of selection. Failing to identify talented players because they are simply younger in their cohort is a problem of both discrimination and poor practice. One potential method for addressing such biases is to develop and use age- and size-corrected assessments of individual players using traits closely associated with match success. In this study, we quantified the relationship between age and size with individual passing and control performance in six different tests for 170 players between 10 and 20 years old from a Tier 1 academy in Brazil. Passing tests were significantly repeatable and performance varied among tests (df = 5; F = 432.2; p < 0.001). Overall passing performance (PCP1)—based on all tests—was significantly positively associated with age (R2 = 0.42, t = 10.67; p < 0.001), height (R2 = 0.19, t = 6.13; p < 0.001) and mass (R2 = 0.23, t = 6.90, p < 0.001). In addition, tests of passing and control could discriminate among groups of differing playing levels (test 1: F(2,116) = 55.2, p < 0.001; test 3: F(2,116) = 12.0, p < 0.001). Normative algorithms from this study can be used to compare athletes during selection trials and against an elite group, after taking age and size into account, and using such algorithms could vastly reduce the insipid age-biases that plague youth football. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Approaches to Sport Performance Analysis)
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16 pages, 432 KiB  
Article
Tactical Indicators and Situational Variables Affecting Goal-Scoring Opportunities in the UEFA Youth League 2023–2024
by Vasileios Armatas, Spyridon Plakias, Sotirios Drikos and Michalis Mitrotasios
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(8), 4532; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15084532 - 19 Apr 2025
Viewed by 364
Abstract
This study addresses a critical knowledge gap by providing an in-depth analysis of the characteristics of goal-scoring opportunities in the UEFA Youth League, offering valuable insights into the attacking performance of elite youth teams. The primary objective of this study was to analyze [...] Read more.
This study addresses a critical knowledge gap by providing an in-depth analysis of the characteristics of goal-scoring opportunities in the UEFA Youth League, offering valuable insights into the attacking performance of elite youth teams. The primary objective of this study was to analyze the attacking characteristics of elite youth teams competing in the UEFA Youth League. Observational analysis was conducted on 18 knock-out matches from the 2023/24 season, examining tactical and situational variables. Open play (56.7%) significantly outperformed set play (43.3%) in generating final attempts. Organized attacks proved to be more effective than counter-attacks in creating scoring opportunities. While winning teams were more likely to employ counter-attacking strategies, final attempts were more frequent when the team initiated the attack without immediate pressure and when a penetrative action was involved. Notably, an initial penetrative action also increased the likelihood of observing counter-attacks. These findings have important implications for coaching practices and youth development programs, emphasizing the need to develop players with strong technical skills, tactical awareness, and the ability to execute patient build-up play under pressure. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of attacking play in elite youth football and provides valuable insights for coaches and youth development programs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Approaches to Sport Performance Analysis)
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11 pages, 1361 KiB  
Article
Immediate Effects of Dynamic Cupping on Shoulder Active Range of Motion of Senior Male Handball Players: A Randomized Controlled Trial
by Ricardo Cardoso, Adérito Seixas, Isabel Moreira-Silva, Joana Azevedo and Diogo Duarte
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(1), 126; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15010126 - 27 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1094
Abstract
Background: Shoulder injuries are common among handball players and have been associated with adjustments in shoulder mobility with decreased flexibility. The aim of the study is to analyze the immediate effects of dynamic cupping on shoulder active range of motion (AROM) of senior [...] Read more.
Background: Shoulder injuries are common among handball players and have been associated with adjustments in shoulder mobility with decreased flexibility. The aim of the study is to analyze the immediate effects of dynamic cupping on shoulder active range of motion (AROM) of senior male handball players. Materials and Methods: A total of 80 senior male handball players completed a socio-demographic and clinical questionnaire. They were then randomly divided into two groups: the Intervention Group (IG; n = 40), which received dynamic cupping therapy, and the Control Group (CG; n = 40), which did not receive any intervention. Shoulder AROM, including flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, horizontal adduction, horizontal abduction, internal rotation, and external rotation, was assessed in both groups before the intervention (M0) and after the intervention (M1). Results: After the intervention, the IG showed a statistically significant increase in AROM for all shoulder movements. In contrast, the CG only demonstrated significant improvements in internal rotation (p = 0.042), adduction (p = 0.011), horizontal abduction (p = 0.004), and horizontal adduction (p = 0.005). Additionally, the IG exhibited a statistically significant increase in shoulder AROM across all movements compared to the CG at M1. Conclusions: The findings of this study support that dynamic cupping enhances shoulder AROM in senior male handball players. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Approaches to Sport Performance Analysis)
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