In an era where sports are becoming increasingly scientific and data-driven, the use of data discovery in the analysis of athlete performances is crucial. The ability to collect, analyze, and interpret large amounts of data from training, competitions, and physiological metrics provides a detailed understanding of an athlete’s abilities and progress. This approach allows us to identify trends, predict injuries, personalize training programs, and ultimately improve sports performance.
The introduction of mixed crews in rowing, with coastal rowing becoming an Olympic discipline in 2028, adds a further level of complexity to performance analysis. Mixed crews require a perfect balance between athletes of different genders, each with unique physiological characteristics and rowing styles. The need to coordinate and optimize synergies between male and female athletes makes in-depth data analysis essential. Data discovery offers advanced tools to examine these complex dynamics, allowing the development of strategies that maximize the effectiveness of mixed crews and contribute to success in the new Olympic discipline.
Our Business Intelligence (BI) app, developed by CoWay co-worker Anna Perini, has made a huge difference! Each athlete created a profile with basic data such as birth date, the year they started rowing, weight, height, gender, previous sports, club membership, and nationality. A total of 30 athletes from Italy, Croatia, Greece, and Slovenia used the BI app, uploading their training results and providing valuable insights into their performance.
The results have been outstanding! Six out of seven athletes achieved faster times and increased their power. In competitions, 9 out of 13 mixed crews selected by project partners won medals, with a total of 3 gold, 3 silver, and 3 bronze medals. Additionally, 6 athletes and 2 coaches involved in the BI app were selected for their national teams for the European Coastal and Beach Sprint Championships.
This demonstrates that detailed data analysis not only improves athlete performance but also contributes to success in competitions. We will continue to use and develop these tools to ensure the best possible support for our athletes.
