Dashboard design

I have received quite a few emails on my last blog post.  Most of the authors asked me  how to create the dashboard that conveys clear and simple message to the viewers. Honestly, I am new in this area myself but I can point you to the following two papers by Stephen Few I found a must read:

Graph design for effective communication

Effectively Communicating Numbers

I am thinking about getting some of Stephen Few books: 

 

The thing is that I don’t want to move too much from actual coaching. I know that the skill set of physical preparation coaches is expanding from basic squat progression, but I think the line between sport scientist (that might also have a position in a pro club)  and physical preparation coach is getting really blurry lately and I now wonder are they actually the same? The role of the physical preparation coach now includes nutritional advices, rehab, prehab, monitoring, testing, analyzing data, visualizing data… Where the hell is all of this going anyway? 

Not to rant too much – the next thing I pinpoint the authors of the emails is the study by Stuart Cormack et al. Stuart was kind enough to send me the full paper. I modified the Wellness Questionnaire and statistical methods to analyze it a little bit, but you should check this study if you are interested in the process. 

Int J Sports Physiol Perform. 2010 Sep;5(3):367-83. Neuromuscular, endocrine, and perceptual fatigue responses during different length between-match microcycles in professional rugby league players. McLean BD, Coutts AJ, Kelly V, McGuigan MR, Cormack SJ. Abstract INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to examine the changes in neuromuscular, perceptual and hormonal measures following professional rugby league matches during different length between-match microcycles. METHODS: Twelve professional rugby league players from the same team were assessed for changes in countermovement jump (CMJ) performance (flight time and relative power), perceptual responses (fatigue, well-being and muscle soreness) and salivary hormone (testosterone [T] and cortisol [C]) levels during 5, 7 and 9 d between-match training microcycles. All training was prescribed by the club coaches and was monitored using the session-RPE method. RESULTS: Lower mean daily training load was completed on the 5 d compared with the 7 and 9 d microcycles. CMJ flight time and relative power, perception of fatigue, overall well-being and muscle soreness were significantly reduced in the 48 h following the match in each microcycle (P < .05). Most CMJ variables returned to near baseline values following 4 d in each microcycle. Countermovement jump relative power was lower in the 7 d microcycle in comparison with the 9 d microcycle (P < .05). There was increased fatigue at 48 h in the 7 and 9 d microcycles (P < .05) but had returned to baseline in the 5 d microcycle. Salivary T and C did not change in response to the match. DISCUSSION: Neuromuscular performance and perception of fatigue are reduced for at least 48 h following a rugby league match but can be recovered to baseline levels within 4 d. These findings show that with appropriate training, it is possible to recover neuromuscular and perceptual measures within 4 d after a rugby league match.

I am also thinking about doing a screen cast explaining the Excel method of doing the data collection, analysis and visualization or maybe providing a service of designing the custom made Excel sheets. Don’t know how much people might be interested in them, but if you are please be free to leave a comment below.