JISAR

Journal of Information Systems Applied Research

Volume 15

V15 N3 Pages 4-12

Oct 2022


Using Analytics to understand Performance and Wellness for a Women’s College Soccer Team


Christopher Njunge
California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, CA USA

Paul Witman
California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, CA USA

Patrick Holmberg
California Lutheran University
Thousand Oaks, CA USA

Joel Canacoo

,

Abstract: This study used analytics to examine the effect of Home Field Advantage (HFA) on the Internal Load (Session Rate of Perceived Exertion (sRPE)), External Load (from GPS trackers) and wellness (based on surveys) for a Division III women’s soccer team in Home and Away matches. First the home advantage (HFA) in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) that the team plays in was quantified using conference games only for all nine teams for three seasons. A multiple regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between Goal Difference and sRPE, External Load variables and Wellness variables at the team, position, and athlete level based on 12 athletes. The results showed the league had an adjusted HFA of 57%. The analysis showed that Defenders were impacted more by away matches based on the medium effect sizes of the difference between their home and away measures for sRPE and sleep quality, and small effect sizes for Distance in high-speed zones and stress. One athlete, a forward, had different mean sRPE in home and away matches. A regression mediation analysis with moderation was carried out to test the mediating effect of stress on the relationship between internal load and goal difference. Results showed that stress partially mediates this relationship. It was also found that game location moderates the relationship between stress and goal difference, and the moderation was positive and significant. These findings validated the existence of HFA in sports and the findings of differences in the impact of HFA to athletes in specific positions can be used as a guide in analyzing and acting on the performance and well-being of players. The study demonstrated the value of analytics in gaining insights about players performance and well-being.

Download this article: JISAR - V15 N3 Page 4.pdf


Recommended Citation: Njunge, C., Witman, P., Holmberg, P., Canacoo, J., (2022). Using Analytics to understand Performance and Wellness for a Women’s College Soccer Team. Journal of Information Systems Applied Research15(3) pp 4-12. http://JISAR.org/2022-3/ ISSN : 1946 - 1836. A preliminary version appears in The Proceedings of CONISAR 2021