Is Task Analysis a Contributing Factor to Performance Analysis?

Abstract

Abstract Introduction. With the evolution of sport, the level of athletes is increasing. To be able to win it is necessary to understand what factors influence performance in competition and training. Sports performance analysis has evolved in accordance with data collection in competition practice, with performance indicators related to actions connected to performance outcome. Material and Methods. We intend to verify the importance of task analysis in the performance analysis procedures. The review starts with task definition, then task analysis procedures and sports science application to finish with examples of performance analysis with task analysis. Results. Each task has one or more goals with actions to be carried out and with task, performer, and environment constraints that influence it. Task analysis is a methodology to have information about technique, productivity and safety that allows developing training programmes. Sports task analysis has a preparatory phase, a description (phase analysis), assessment, and an intervention. Performance analysis was based on biomechanical and notational analysis including performance indicators and afterwards reinforced with the ecological dynamics approach with an emphasis on the performer-environment relationship. Similarities between actions from different sports could be observed with performance analysis using task analysis (phase analysis with description of the segmental actions and mechanical principles). Conclusions. Performance task analysis could support evidence-based training programmes with a replication of key features and performance indicators in dry-land training tasks. Future research should identify task constraints and performance indicators with technological devices and make performance analysis more coach friendly.