Applications of Functional Data Analysis for Sports Biomechanics

University of Technology Sydney

Australian Institute of Sport

CSIRO

Dr John Warmenhoven

Prof Mark Watsford

Prof Paul Wu

I’ve always loved sport. I grew up playing soccer and always enjoyed the process of improving my performance. That led me to complete an undergraduate degree in exercise physiology and rehabilitation at the University of Canberra after moving to Canberra in 2019 from the Gold Coast. Following my degree, I began working for the ACT Academy of Sport as a sports scientist and strength and conditioning coach. While working I completed my Honours in jumping mechanics at the University of Canberra. Throughout that year I confirmed that I really enjoy the adventure of research and I also met my now primary supervisor John.

As part of my Honours project John introduced me to some novel methods of handing time-series data called functional data analysis. I’ve always enjoyed working with numbers and I found these methods not only fascinating but could see the benefit they could bring to biomechanical analysis in sport.

I was fortunate that this project was being advertised as my Honours was finishing up and the industry partnership with the AIS as well as the training provided by CSIRO made it a really attractive opportunity.

Coming from a varied background of performance service disciplines has led me to be interested in a range of topics including sports physiology, training science, rehabilitation, biomechanics, and now statistical methods.

The 1904 St Louis marathon. It’s not only an entertaining story but a great reminder of how far sport has come.

I once juggled a soccer ball over 4000 times.