Solar Astrophysics Drives Innovation in Sports Analytics

Research at Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) is transforming the world of sports analytics through innovative applications of solar astrophysics. Under the leadership of physicist David Jess, a cross-disciplinary team is bridging the gap between astrophysics and sports science, aiming to enhance performance metrics for athletes across various disciplines.

Jess’s work primarily focuses on the Sun’s lower atmosphere, investigating how its energy moves through space. This research involves high-speed optical studies of solar flares and waves, which generate extensive data sets. In parallel, he is a founding member of the Predictive Sports Analytics (PSA) group, formed in 2023 to explore the intersection of sports science and advanced data analytics.

The PSA group operates within QUB’s Astrophysics Research Centre and collaborates with the AI Collaboration Centre at Ulster University. This £16 million facility promotes the integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning into local industries. By uniting experts from physics, mathematics, statistics, and computer science, PSA aims to refine predictive modeling in sports and health metrics.

While astronomy and sports science may appear unrelated, they share a commonality: both fields generate immense amounts of data. Jess highlights the advantage of studying the Sun, as it allows for high-frequency observations that provide a wealth of information. Similarly, professional athletes’ performance data, collected through GPS-enabled vests, creates millions of data points during competitions.

Jess notes, “We’re not photon-starved; we make observations at very high frame rates, which means we’re accustomed to managing and manipulating really big data sets.” This expertise is crucial for extracting meaningful insights from the vast amounts of data generated in sports analytics.

The PSA group is currently working on several projects aimed at improving athletic performance. These include analyses of player speed distribution to monitor strength and conditioning, longitudinal studies on acceleration intensity as an indicator of explosive strength, and 3D force vectorization to assess concussion and injury risks in rugby.

By employing techniques from astrophysics, researchers can uncover subtle patterns in athlete data that traditional methods might overlook. For example, understanding the progression of player fatigue during a match can inform tailored training regimens.

Jess emphasizes the importance of collaboration, stating, “We are experts in big data, and we have a passion for sports. Knowledge transfer between astrophysics and sports analytics works in both directions.” This synergy not only enriches the research but also enhances the practical applications that benefit athletes and coaches alike.

Establishing connections with professional sports teams has been a challenge since PSA’s inception. Jess and his team are focused on making their findings accessible and relevant to sports scientists, ensuring they complement existing practices rather than replace them. “Our goal is to make their job easier by providing analytical tools that enhance their decision-making,” he explains.

A significant partnership with STATSports, a leading company in athlete monitoring technology, underscores the potential of this research. STATSports, which supplies performance metrics to elite teams like Manchester City and Liverpool, collaborates with PSA to explore innovative research avenues that could lead to technological advancements.

The collaboration allows PSA to leverage STATSports’ industry presence while providing the company with access to cutting-edge research. Eamon McGleenan, a PhD physicist within the PSA group, is currently leading a project linked to STATSports that focuses on analyzing sprint metrics to assess athlete fatigue in real-time.

By collecting detailed data on player performance, the research aims to aid coaches in making informed decisions about substitutions, rather than relying on visual cues alone. This real-time analysis has the potential to revolutionize how teams approach player management and recovery.

As the PSA group continues to grow, Jess is enthusiastic about recruiting PhD students who are eager to expand their expertise beyond physics and mathematics. He believes that a multidisciplinary approach is crucial for the future of sports analytics. “We’re looking for candidates who are keen to develop their skills in other fields,” he states.

The PSA group’s work is not just about producing results; it is about ensuring sustainability through ongoing funding and training the next generation of researchers. Jess envisions PSA as a potential disruptor in the sports-analytics industry, capable of delivering impactful insights that can reshape athlete training and performance monitoring.

In conclusion, the intersection of solar astrophysics and sports analytics at Queen’s University Belfast represents a promising frontier in the application of big data. The innovative approaches being developed by David Jess and his team have the potential to significantly enhance athletic performance and redefine how sports science is practiced.