Operational definitions in performance Analysis and the need for consensus

Abstract

This study investigated problems associated with operational definitions within the performance analysis of sport. The literature indicated that in addition to being recognised as important in the reliability of data, operational definitions need to be clear and replicable. This was not the case in many papers as it was found that there was a lack of consistency, ambiguity and repetition in the definitions researched. An analysis of the International Journal of the Performance Analysis of Sport highlighted these problems with a lack of definition, with actions in performance analysis being the most inconsistently defined. Problems with definitions in sport were identified in other areas of sport with specific reference to sporting injuries. The study identified how consensus was achieved in defining injuries in sport and it is suggested that the discipline of performance analysis follows the same methodology to create a consensus of operational definitions for sports.