Sports Performance Analysis

Course Details
Delivered through blended learning, you can work full-time and study this MSc in Physical Sports Performance Analysis. This MSc will provide you with an in-depth and relevant focus on applied and academic sports performance analysis skills that are needed for the role as a sports performance analyst in elite and professional sports environments.

Overview
The demands are extensive for those hoping to progress in the industry of elite sports performance. In addition to fundamental academic capabilities and professional competencies, specific technical and analytical skills are required to be competitive in the rapidly evolving industry of sports technology and performance. This MSc is designed to professionally develop practitioners to progress in both their applied and academic career.

The course is designed for those students considering entering employment in sports technology or professional performance domains. Excellent links with sports technology companies and performance sport domains will allow all students to experience a practical-based placement as part of their course. The course furthermore aims to develop students' ability to work independently, in proposing and developing solutions to problems in a systematic and effective manner, and in communicating confidently and clearly both in writing and verbally. It enables the demonstration of the graduate attributes of self-awareness; performance in a variety of idioms and contexts; and ethical and creative considerations.

Why should I study this course?
The MSc provides a grounding in understanding technical and tactical components of performance that are required for strategic intervention and performance manipulation. Sports Performance Analysts play a key role in a number of performance domains from elite, professional sports environments to the entertainment industry, performance analysis has become an integral component of consumer and professional sporting worlds. The MSc is designed for those eager to gain proficiency in using the hard-ware and software required for analysis of pitch-based and lab-based performance, including GPS, notational/video analysis, biomechanical and physiological analysis. As well as gaining performance analysis skills, our programme is designed to provide career mentorship, personal and professional development for students on an individual-basis to progress in their chosen career field.

What will I study during this MSc Sports Performance Analysis – Starts October '22 course?
This programme offers you the opportunity to develop and progress your career by providing a rigorous, in-depth and relevant focus on applied and academic sports performance analysis skills. You will develop your understanding and ability to apply knowledge and analysis to various contexts through a range of opportunities, including the use of your own work experience, case studies, performance analysis scenarios, presentations, problem-based learning exercises and study visits.
Graduates who have successfully completed the course will be able to demonstrate skills and competences in the following areas;

Sport Performance Analysis Practical Skills
• Analyse the degree, to which the performance sport sector has incorporated advances in technology and assess the impact that this has had on applied practices.
• Foster a critical awareness of global sports performance analysis development in the context evidence-based practice.
• Appraise various operational strategies employed in sports performance and sports technology domains.
• Investigate and evaluate.
• Foster critical awareness and thorough understanding of the performance sport sector, combining knowledge and analysis acquired to develop a relevant industry specific original report to a professional standard.
• Demonstrate specialist knowledge and understanding of the performance sport sector and the external context in which it operates, to evaluate strategic choices and make informed strategic decisions for change implementation.
• Conduct independent research and use acquired knowledge to analyse and evaluate specific issues surrounding the performance sport sector.
• Demonstrate self-awareness, self – reflection and self-development to promote higher level transferrable skills.

Practical/transferable skills including employability
• Demonstrate a sound understanding of practical issues relating to Sports Performance Analysis Sector and be capable of providing comprehensive advice in dealing with them.
• Work independently to plan and deliver a work of a professional standard and demonstrate self-direction and originality in problem solving.
• Demonstrate the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring:
o the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility
o decision-making in complex and unpredictable situations
o Analytical skills, evaluation and synthesis in dealing with a professional sports environment challenge.

How will I learn?
Delivery Mode
This MSc has been specifically designed for delivery by online learning with live interactive webinar sessions. It is very suited to you if you have a busy work and home life and want to fit study around this. Blended Learning takes the schedule of a traditional face to face learning programme and re-structures it to reduce the contact tuition time by introducing more online learning together with one to one tutor support. This mode of delivery includes contact tuition and web-based e-learning sessions. The e-learning platform is interactive including recorded sessions, webinars with weekly content and assigned tasks to themes and topics. The time commitment will be greater than a blended learning programme. A blended learning programme usually has a single workshop at the start of a module whereas a flexible delivery programme will usually have a minimum of 1 weekend per month attendance required.

There is one to one tutor support available to you during your learning journey. You can upload your assessments and your support tutor will give you feedback on whether you are on the right track. Online learning allows you to study at your time with support available when you need it. Integrated throughout the programme are webinars, designed to give you the connection between theory and practice in facilities management.

How will I learn?
Delivery Mode
This MSc has been specifically designed for delivery by online learning with live interactive webinar sessions. It is very suited to you if you have a busy work and home life and want to fit study around this. Blended Learning takes the schedule of a traditional face to face learning programme and re-structures it to reduce the contact tuition time by introducing more online learning together with one to one tutor support. This mode of delivery includes contact tuition and web-based e-learning sessions. The e-learning platform is interactive including recorded sessions, webinars with weekly content and assigned tasks to themes and topics. The time commitment will be greater than a blended learning programme. A blended learning programme usually has a single workshop at the start of a module whereas a flexible delivery programme will usually have a minimum of 1 weekend per month attendance required.

There is one to one tutor support available to you during your learning journey. You can upload your assessments and your support tutor will give you feedback on whether you are on the right track. Online learning allows you to study at your time with support available when you need it. Integrated throughout the programme are webinars, designed to give you the connection between theory and practice in facilities management.

Each semester has a combination of webinars and tutorials designed to support the student complete the modules scheduled for that semester. Webinars/tutorials are held on a Saturday from 10am to 4pm and are available to log-in to, from an off-site location. Attendance at webinars and tutorials is not mandatory and delivered with the purpose of introducing the module tutor, setting out the learning outcomes, content, the assessment strategy and expectations for skills/knowledge development and supporting you to achieve the requirements. Webinars are recorded and can be accessed at a later date.

All of the course material is held on an e-learing portal which is an easy to use online platform specifically designed for online learning programmes. During the induction, students will be introduced to the platform with practical demonstration of how to use the portal and access lessons quickly and easily. To complete this course, students must have a basic knowledge of using a computer and searching the internet for research purposes.

During this Masters programme you will complete seven modules. You will study three modules in semester one and two. Your final semester will be dedicated to your dissertation project in Sports Performance Analysis.

Indicative schedule
This is a sample schedule of modules and is subject to change.

Trimester
Module Credits
Semester 1
• Biomechanical Performance Analysis 20
• Notational Performance Analysis 20
• Research Methods for Sports 20

Semester 2
• Performance Analysis for Pitch-based sports 20
• Performance Analysis for Individual Sports 20
• Professional Development in Applied Performance Analysis 20

Semester 3
• Dissertation in Performance Analysis 60

Year 1
• Biomechanical Analysis for Sports Performance (20 credits)
This module focuses on motion capture and movement analysis backed up by other biomechanical analysis techniques including ecological measures and the use of force platforms.
o Motion capture in 2D of single and cyclical movement
o Current biomechanics research topics (including those focusing on force platform and movement analysis)
o Use of motion analysis software and statistical analysis software for motion analysis and description
o Data cleansing/analysis including smoothing, error correction, outlier management, scaling and filtering
o Statistical measures of reliability
o Viva training

• Notational Analysis for Sports Performance (20 credits)
This module focuses on the development of transferable skills, critical thinking and proficiency in data analysis and assimilation. The module will provide: in depth information on common hardware and software used in analysis of performance in sport (i.e. Dart Phish, Performance Sport etc.).
o The role of data in professional sports support
o Communication with data in sport – who uses data – how and why
o Performance monitoring and analysis
o Technology and software available for notational analysis
o Performance Analysis: from competition to training – reverse engineering winning teams
o Data analysis in Talent Development settings
o Key performance indicators, identification and application
o Challenges in practical application of data analysis
o Limitations of Data Analysis in Sports
o Ethical consideration for data analysis in sport
o Contemporary issues in data analysis in sport

• Performance Analysis for Individual Sports (20 credits)
This module equips students with the theoretical and practical knowledge for conducting needs analysis for individual and sport, designing and implementing analysis for performance and related parameters in individual sports. The module focuses on evaluating different parameters of performance from technical, tactical, physiological, biomechanical and injury risk perspectives. In addition, the module explores the application of this knowledge to performance analysis, the development of sporting excellence and injury prevention.
o Needs analysis for individual Sport
o Technical and Tactical development and monitoring in individual sport
o Technology and software for performance analysis
o Key performance indicators for monitoring and development in training
o Practical implementation of monitoring and analysis in sport.

• Performance Analysis for Team Sports (20 credits)
This module equips students with the theoretical and practical knowledge for conducting needs analysis for pitch-based team sport, designing and implementing analysis for performance and related parameters in intermittent pitch-based performance sports. Specifically, this module will explore tactical analysis that performance teams use to reverse engineer winning and losing performances for their own team and opposition team.
o Needs analysis for pitch-based sports
o Technical and Tactical development and monitoring in team sport
o Technology and software for team performance analysis
o Key performance indicators for monitoring and development in team training
o Practical implementation of monitoring and analysis in team sport.

• Personal and Professional Development (20 credits)
This module extends students' learning experience by providing them with an opportunity to reflect on, and evaluate, their personal experiences of a given employment related to their area of academic study.
o Communication skills
o Team working skills
o Reflective writing
o Oral presentation skills
o Employability

• Research Methods for Sports Performance Analysis (20 credits)
The module is designed to provide students with an understanding of the skills needed for planning, organisation and practice of research in health sciences.
o Statistical methods, and examination of already published data to examine validity/reliability.
o Proposal writing, the project process, managing the project and your supervisor, ethical processes, and dissemination of project output.
o Computer software skills including advanced word processing layout and formatting skills for large projects, referencing software, poster design, project funding, journal publishing, and statistical techniques in statistical software.

• Sports Performance Analysis Dissertation (60 credits)
This module will enable students to reinforce the skills necessary to carry out a scientific programme requiring significant research. It will allow students to demonstrate the final development of their subject knowledge, skills and understanding through extended research based on laboratory, literature or field work. This research will lead to the presentation of a detailed written report.
Students will reflect upon their scientific background and intended academic outcome in choosing the subject for their dissertation. Students carry out an experimental project, preceded by an appropriate directed literature survey, within an area of staff expertise in Portobello Institute. Students are expected to work independently throughout the project.
o Analysis, appraisal and presentation of the results.
o Work will be communicated both as a fully documented scientific report and in an oral presentation.
o Practical work: Application of scientific knowledge and experimental skills to the design and execution of a subject-based practical project.
o Progress report writing including ability to plan and develop ideas.

Without a Leaving Certificate
Students will be required to have a minimum of a 2.2 (or equivalent) in a related subject discipline. A detailed statement to support your application to the course. You should also submit an up-to-date CV and copies of awards/professional qualifications. All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the use of the English Language.

Entry to this course is by direct application to the college.

Step 1
Complete the online booking form.

Apply Now
Step 2
Applicants will be contacted for confirmation of eligibility for entry, applicants will be required to submit transcripts of previous qualifications.

Step 3
Confirmation of a place will be given to applicants immediately meeting the criteria.

Please note places on this course are only confirmed once tuition fees have been received.

Students will be registered as a post-graduate degree student with London Metropolitan University.

3 academic semesters

Semester 1 runs from 01/10/22 – 19/01/23.
Assessments take place between 23/01/23 – 27/01/23.

Semester 2 runs from 05/02/22 – 07/05/22
Assessments take place between 23/05/22 – 27/05/22.

Tutorial webinar/seminar held on allocated Saturdays, 10am – 4pm.

Webinars are recorded so you may review at a later stage if you are unable to attend the live sessions.

Semester 3 encompasses the Capstone Project and runs from 03/06/23 – 26/08/23

During this semester, you will work with your supervisor to complete a work-based project. Individual tutorials are generally held at times convenient to both.

Career prospects
There are a number of different career routes that graduates can take, broadly the options fall in to three categories, technology, applied practice or entertainment.
1. Sports Performance Analysts can progress in careers in the sports technology industry, working on developing, researching and delivering the next innovations from software and hardware to the world of elite sports.
2. Sports Performance Analysts are also employed as key members of multidisciplinary professional sports teams, working closely with coaches providing performance support to teams and athletes.
3. Sports Performance Analysts play a key role in providing performance footage, review and analysis for TV commentary. This could include coverage of major world championships as well as weekly league requirements.