In the rush toward big data and gathering numbers I see the real challenge as making the numbers meaningful. Certainly technology enables us to gather numbers on almost any parameter we want to measure. We are now able to measure and quantify parameters that I dreamed about measuring 46 years when I started coaching. Certainly this affords great potential to enhance performance. The downside is when we can get so caught up the numbers that we look at them in isolation and not see the forest for the trees. Numbers are one-dimensional and performance is three-dimensional. That is one aspect, the other is that it is too easy to look at a number that represents an isolated variable like HRV and not relate it other measures or put it in context of life in general. In a recent post Seth Godin put it quite succinctly: “We need to spend more time figuring out what to keep track of, and less time actually obsessing over the numbers that we are already measuring.” So take a step back and look at not just what is measurable but what is meaningful to you and the athletes you coach.
3 Comments
William Kirousis
You are absolutely on track here Vern. Some of the software I use to analyze running or cycling power meter files is insane. Come up with something you want to look at, and you can do all kinds of things with that data.
But does any of it really tell you anything that truly impacts your ability to help that athlete?
Or do “you” think it’s telling you all kinds of stuff to help you impact that athlete?
I’m not down playing it. Certainly there are some things that can be better understood with this information. The question is the same for all data analysis I suspect: just because you can look at it, question it, analyze it… Doesnt mean it’s really important!
It’s easy to put belief into numbers and drop subjective measures – yet those are often the best.
There needs to be a sensible balance.
Will
Jason Helton
Vern,
Great point made here, yet working in the sports tech world and seeing what it can and has done I believe there is no way that we can ignore it. The questions are whether or nt you are analyzing the right things for your athletes and what are you as a coach going to do with the data that is give to you. I believe there are a great number of coaches out there that are getting numbers and don’t really know what to do with them. The real challenge is educating the coaches on how to correctly use the data to help improve their athletes because at the end of the day its the cach that makes the difference and not numbers. Thanks Vern lets talk soon!
Jason Helton
Southeast Sports Performance
Warren Potash
Numbers are meaningful when used in context and are used to make sure the right path is being followed.
E.g., My assessment uses various measurements and indicates the baseline and direction needed to develop a safe and age-appropriate training program for every athlete.
Moving toward advanced work with new numbers, I have been able to develop the right program for each athlete. Not an off the shelf program – customized for every athlete.
Yes, there is a path. I agree that the numbers can help but they are not the be all, end all.