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- University of Worcester
- 24 - Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism
- Submitting institution
- University of Worcester
- Unit of assessment
- 24 - Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism
- Summary impact type
- Societal
- Is this case study continued from a case study submitted in 2014?
- No
1. Summary of the impact
In this case study, we exemplify how our applied research in Disability Sports Performance Analysis (DSPA) has impacted globally on national and International governing bodies (organisations), coaches, sport science support staff and athletes (practitioners), and the delivery of DSPA (professional services). Our DSPA research, through knowledge exchange, has been used to improve the quality and efficiency of DSPA provision; contributed directly to enhanced performance outcomes at the highest levels of international disability sport (European Championships, World Championships and Paralympic Games), and resulted in developments in workforce planning and policy change in national and international organisations.
2. Underpinning research
Peters received funding from British Wheelchair Basketball (BWB) in 2014 to explore the impact of notational analysis, analyst and feedback on performance enhancement in elite wheelchair basketball (Grant 1). The research was undertaken by Francis, who was then embedded as Head of Performance Analysis within the BWB world-class programme (based at the University of Worcester Arena, a facility purposely designed for wheelchair disability sport). Through his emerging and unique ‘lived-experience’ research insight, Francis delivered synchronous and cyclical learning that was used by BWB day-to-day, camp-to-camp, championship-to-championship and cycle-to-cycle to impact the success of their elite men’s, women’s, and junior teams. Due to potential competitive advantage, these data have only been available for publication since 2019.
Performance Analysis Template: In 2014, we created, validated, and demonstrated the reliability of the first-ever template for objectively assessing team performance in wheelchair basketball. The research uniquely involved coach and practitioner expert validation, robust intra- and inter-observer reliability assessments, and produced original, agreed operational definitions and video-clip exemplars of each action variable for use across the sport (Reference 1).
Team Performance Model (TPM): From data collected using our template at the 2015 Men’s European Championships, we employed logistic regression modelling to explore the offensive and defensive tactics used by the top five finishing teams who as a result qualified for the 2016 Paralympic Games. The final model calculated the interactive effect of game status, offensive and defensive line-ups, start of possession, end of possession and defensive system used by the opponent and demonstrated 76% accuracy in predicting the probability of winning a game Reference 2).
Field-Goal Shooting Model (FGSM): From the 5105 field-goal shots attempted by the 12 teams competing in the 2016 Paralympic Games men’s wheelchair basketball competition, we created the first valid and reliable template for assessing field goal shooting attempts in elite men’s wheelchair basketball. We then employed logistic regression modelling to develop a final model that included player classification, defensive pressure, pre-shot action, team ranking, shot clock remaining, shot location, and shot movement that could predict shot outcome with 68% accuracy (Reference 3).
Embedding performance analysis and analyst as a learning resource within elite level disability sport: Francis had previously explored the role of Sport Performance Analysis (SPA) in elite team sport (Reference 4) in which the importance of the coach-athlete-analyst relationship was first established. Peters had also identified from his qualitative analysis of elite disability sport coach narratives, the need for the development and wider implementation of SPA across disability sport to ‘level the playing field’ of sport science provision for elite disability sport (Reference 5). Francis has also explored learning from the provision and use of DSPA within Para-Football (Reference 6) providing unique knowledge regarding athletes use of DSPA, the role of the analyst and their cumulative impact on learning and performance. Through researching the use of an online-learning DSPA portal with elite deaf futsal players, Francis demonstrated increased engagement with and attitudes towards DSPA from coaches and athletes that resulted in enhanced performance.
3. References to the research
Francis, J.W., Owen, A. & Peters, D.M. (2019a). A new reliable performance analysis template for quantifying action variables in elite men’s wheelchair basketball, Frontiers in Psychology, 10(16): 1–16. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00016.
Francis, J.W., Owen, A. & Peters, D.M. (2019b). Making every “point” count: Identifying the key determinants of team success in elite men’s wheelchair basketball, Frontiers in Psychology, 10(1431): 1-14. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.01431
Francis, J.W., Owen, A . & Peters, D.M. (2021). Predicting field-goal success according to offensive, defensive and contextual variables in elite men’s wheelchair basketball. PLOS ONE, 16(1), e0244257. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0244257 [First made publicly available in Dec 2020].
Francis, J.W., & Jones, G. (2014). Elite rugby union players perceptions of performance analysis, International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport, 14(1): 188-207. DOI: 10.1080/24748668.2014.11868714.
Kohe, G. & Peters, D.M. (2016). Beyond high performance disability sport coaching? in Kohe, G. and Peters, D.M. (eds) High performance disability sport coaching. Abingdon: Routledge, pp. 186–207. DOI: 10.4324/9781315716497.
De Martin Silva, L. & Francis, J.W. (2020). ‘“It is like a little journey”: Deaf international futsal players’ and coaches’ experiences in collaborative blended learning, International Sport Coaching Journal, 1-14. DOI: 10.1123/iscj.2019-0101.
Grants
- Peters, D. (PI), ‘The impact of notational analysis, analyst and feedback on performance enhancement in elite wheelchair basketball’, Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball, 2014-17, £30,000 (matched by the University of Worcester).
All outputs above were subject to peer review as per the processes set out in the University’s REF2021 Code of Practice. Outputs 1, 2 and 6 are included in the unit’s output submission. All other outputs were identified of at least 2* standard through these processes.
4. Details of the impact
Our DSPA research, through synchronous and asynchronous knowledge exchange, has:
Significantly improved DSPA practice and provision for individuals, teams, and national & international organisations
The project outlined above explored how SPA could be used within BWB’s world-class performance throughout the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Paralympic Games Cycle and beyond. The foundational development of a performance analysis template created significant advancement in the effective use of game data, providing unique objective insight into team and individual playing performance that has been used widely (a-e), allowing players and coaches “ to get more detail…It then helped us understand how effective that analysis could be” (d) . Francis worked within the sports science support team to raise awareness and understanding of how SPA could be used to enhance learning and understanding, resulting in notable improvements in SPA provision and practice (a-g) as the research “ allowed for conversations and debates regarding measuring performance that wouldn't have taken place that solved performance problems that were present that hadn't been identified yet” (c). The new template was used to provide objectivity and enhance provision across the men’s, women’s, and junior performance squads from 2015 to 2017: “ In particular, [the] research around offensive and defensive team performance metrics assisted in the playing style, offensive and defensive strategies and line-up decisions that were adopted” (f). Following dissemination at the BASES 2015 conference, analysts for Para-Football teams of the Football Association used the fundamental components of the template “ to ensure the data and information collected on a team and/or individual performance is meaningful and contains context through analysing sequences of events, for coaches and staff to understand the entire picture and develop performance plans based on objective information” (h). Various Para-Football performance teams have now embedded our DSPA provisions and online learning platforms to aid learning and understanding tailored to individuals’ learning needs (h). World Rugby has also incorporated aspects of the template into wheelchair rugby because of our research “ to ensure meaningful information can be collected by World Rugby analysts moving forward” (i).
Extensively used by elite disability sport coaches, sport-science support staff, teams, and athletes to enhance performance at the highest levels
The Team Performance Model (TPM) and the Field-Goal Shooting Model (FGSM) are comprehensive predictive models of wheelchair basketball performance and were the first in the world to include sequential analysis. BWB practitioners used the TPM to formulate strategic plans and adjust training sessions in the build-up and during major international competitions e.g., the model formulated optimal offensive and defensive line-ups at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympic Games and subsequent competitions in 2017 and 2018 across the entire BWB world class performance programmes (c-f).
The FGSM was developed to quantify and predict individual and team shooting success whilst incorporating the actions and behaviours of the opposition and helped players “ to adapt [their] game, increase awareness of [their] shooting action and encouraged debates around the current practice, training methods, tactics and game plan between teammates, coaches and support staff” (b). The overall work and models “ directly influenced and positively impacted the ascent of the Great Britain Teams on the world stage, leading to the attainment of three out of four World Champions titles (Great Britain Men, Great Britain U23 Men and Great Britain U25 Women) and a silver medal for the Great Britain Women” (g). The ability of the models to simulate and predict the likely outcome of various game situations added game-changing value to scientists at the England Institute of Sport and coaches within the named organisation (c-f). Coaches, practitioners, and athletes have since embedded the models into different settings in Germany, Spain, Italy, and Canada leading to significant improvements in individual and team performance (d, e, f).
Improved the quality, efficiency, and professional standing of DSPA across a range of disability sports at the highest-level influencing workforce planning in national disability sport world class programmes and international governing body strategy
Our research has been used by several national and international organisations, across an array of disability sports, to enhance the provision, quality, efficiency, and professional standing of DSPA. “ The changes to current practice based on research findings aided and improved the current methods adopted by staff and the performance team” (g). Our research “ influenced how British Wheelchair Basketball recruited staff for the start of the Tokyo Paralympic Games Cycle” and led to a full-time sport performance analyst being employed to lead the provision (g). The Football Association have employed two consultant sport performance analysts to lead the DSPA provisions for the Blind, Deaf Futsal, Deaf Football and Cerebral Palsy teams (h). “Based on a key finding within this work…the opportunity for staff to learn British Sign Language has been and will continue to be embedded within camps and away from camps” staff to ensure key performance advantages can be communicated effectively (h). World Rugby have subsequently appointed a Game Analyst Consultant to lead the wheelchair rugby provision (i).
Our research has resulted in the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) introducing “a new component within its Competition Strategy to ensure performance analysis provisions and facilities are available at all major competitions”, requiring the inclusion of DSPA provision as a key and fundamental element in all competition bids (g). This was first included at the 2018 World Wheelchair Basketball Championships and is included in the rearranged 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games. Furthermore, our research has contributed to the sport’s current classification philosophy, IWBF’s player classification system (g).
5. Sources to corroborate the impact
a) Female Paralympian, British Wheelchair Basketball
A post-game interview video clip with a three times Paralympian following GB Women’s win over China televised live on Channel 4 outlining how DSPA and Francis as the analyst directly improved her own and the team’s performance during the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympic Games.
b) Male Paralympian, British Wheelchair Basketball
This letter is from a male Paralympic wheelchair basketball athlete who is currently part of British Wheelchair Basketball Senior Men’s squad and plays for a club team in the Spanish elite wheelchair basketball league. This letter states how British Wheelchair Basketball used the TPM and FGSM to enhance performance, resulting in GB Men’s successful performances at major competitions since 2013. The research findings increased his self-awareness and generated debates around the current practice, training methods, tactics and game plan between teammates, coaches, and support staff. Furthermore, the athlete has and is continuing to use the models and knowledge to enhance performance levels within his elite club team in Spain.
c) Sports Science Practitioner, England Institute of Sport
This letter is from a former sports scientist who worked at the English Institute of Sport and British Wheelchair Basketball. His work involved supporting the wider sports science and sports medicine (SSSM) team during the Rio de Janeiro Paralympic Games Cycle. The letter details how the research and knowledge exchange underpinned SSSM practice, influenced the sports “What It Takes To Win” model and solved performance problems.
d) Wheelchair Basketball Coach, British Wheelchair Basketball
Transcript extracts from a series of interviews that outline how the research enhanced performance: “ we started to get more detail about what are we looking for and why. With your help, it was good as you knew what you wanted to do and achieve and help out. It then helped us understand how effective that analysis could be. We could then start going into more detail about offensive sets and defensive sets, shots taken, shots missed, rebounds a whole bunch of things that we could do”.
e) Wheelchair Basketball Coach, British Wheelchair Basketball, Federación Española de Deportes de personas con Discapacidad Física, Federazione Italiana Pallacanestro in Carrozzina and Koln Wheelchair Basketball
This letter is from the previous Talent Development Coach and Performance Coach for British Wheelchair Basketball. It outlines how he used the models developed to prepare players to transition from the junior squads into the GB senior squads. It also outlines, how knowledge exchange using our DSPA research has impacted on his subsequent role in Spain and current roles as junior and assistant senior coach for the Federazione Italiana Pallacanestro in Carrozzina (Italian Wheelchair Basketball) team, and RBC Koln 99ers, our research is used to improve playing strategy and recruitment of players.
f) Wheelchair Basketball Coach, British Wheelchair Basketball and Wheelchair Basketball Canada
This letter is from a previous British Wheelchair Basketball coach, employed from 2016 to 2017, who is currently employed as a coach for Wheelchair Basketball Canada. His letter identifies how our research findings were used to support offensive and defensive strategies adopted by the team at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Paralympic Games (Bronze medal) and in the 2017 European Wheelchair Basketball Championships (Silver medal). He also explains how our research has enhanced his current role and his ability to work with an analyst.
g) Chief Executive, British Wheelchair Basketball and Chairman for Competition & Board Member, International Wheelchair Basketball Federation
The letter details how our research directly changed practice through the world-class performance programme, subsequently impacting performance results for all GB performance teams. Furthermore, the letter provides evidence of how our research has changed Competition Strategy for all future major international wheelchair basketball competitions, underpins IWBF current classification philosophy, and influenced the novel inclusion of 3X3 wheelchair basketball in the Commonwealth Games in 2022.
h) Futsal and Para-Football Performance Manager, Football Association
This letter outlines how our research has directly impacted performance-related decisions since 2017, aiding several of the national Para-Football teams on the international stage. The letter also demonstrates how our research has resulted in increases in workforce and improvements in staff practice aiding the Para-Football Performance Unit’s vision and mission.
i) Game Analyst Consultant, World Rugby
This letter outlines how our research and knowledge exchange is being used by World Rugby to ensure meaningful information can be collected by World Rugby analysts in elite level Wheelchair Rugby globally.
- Submitting institution
- University of Worcester
- Unit of assessment
- 24 - Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism
- Summary impact type
- Health
- Is this case study continued from a case study submitted in 2014?
- No
1. Summary of the impact
An exercise and lifestyle intervention for young people (aged 16-25) experiencing a first episode psychosis, developed in partnership between an interdisciplinary research team at the University of Worcester and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, has been shown to bring both economic benefits for service providers and significant health benefits for users. The intervention has been rolled out across Worcestershire by a dedicated team (and extended to all outpatient mental health service users) but has also been adopted more widely in the UK and internationally thanks to a coordinated good practice dissemination programme.
2. Underpinning research
Researchers in Exercise Science (Peters and Griffiths) have brought their research expertise to the evaluation of physical activity interventions over a period of 10+ years. Peters was part of a multidisciplinary team, funded by local government (Grant 1) to evaluate child weight management interventions in the West Midlands. The results of this evaluation highlighted the limitations of the interventions and set out recommendations for future commissioning to ensure increased effectiveness (Reference 1).
Peters was subsequently commissioned to evaluate a further PA intervention with Griffiths (Grant 2), the final report for which was published in 2013. The findings of this study again highlighted the ineffectiveness of the intervention but also pointed the way forward for future interventions, with emphasis on the need to adopt a multicomponent approach that draws support from across multiple sectors and environments and to take full account of the socio-cultural context in community-based interventions (Reference 2).
Subsequently, bringing the findings from earlier research on PA interventions, Griffiths became part of the interdisciplinary team which developed and evaluated, through Health Foundation funding (Grant 3), an exercise and lifestyle intervention for young people who have recently experience first episode psychosis. The SHAPE intervention consisted of a 12-week programme, with weekly, 90-minute sessions comprising a healthy behaviour education session, followed by a facilitated exercise session. 27 participants were recruited to the pilot. Anthropometric data from participants was collected at baseline, 12 weeks, and 12 months post-intervention. Health behaviours and clinical measurements were assessed at baseline and 12 months.
Mean baseline data suggests participants were at an increased health risk on entry to the program, with elevated values in mean body mass index (BMI; 70% overweight/obese), waist circumference, resting heart rate, and triglycerides. 50% reported smoking daily, 64% ate less than 5 fruits/vegetables per day, and 52% of participants were prescribed highly obesogenic antipsychotic medications (i.e., Olanzapine). At 12 weeks and 12 months, contrary to expectations that these would be elevated, no changes were observed in mean BMI, waist circumference or any other clinical variable (p > 0.05). At 12 months, participants reported a positive impact on health behaviours including improved diet, increased physical activity levels, and cessation of substance use, alcohol use, and smoking. Focus groups captured participant experiences, engagement with and satisfaction with the program, including challenges/barriers to program adherence. Overall, the research showed that the programme supported participants to attenuate their physical health risk which was sustained at 12 months follow up (Reference 3).
3. References to the research
Upton, P., Taylor, C., Peters, D.M., Erol, R. and Upton, D. (2013) The Effectiveness of Local Child Weight Management Programmes: an Audit Study. Child: Care, Health and Development. 39 (1), pp.125-33. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2214.2012.01378.x
Griffiths, L. and Griffiths, M. (2019) Evaluation of a School–Community Linked Physical Activity Intervention Targeting 7- to 12-Year-Olds: A Sociocultural Perspective. American Journal of Health Education. 50 (2), pp. 112-126. https://doi.org/10.1080/19325037.2019.1571961
Smith, J., Griffiths, L.A., Band, M., Hird-Smith, R., Williams, B., Bold, J., Bradley, E., Dilworth, R. and Horne, D. (2020) Early Intervention in Psychosis: Effectiveness and Implementation of a Combined Exercise and Health Behavior Intervention within Routine Care. Frontiers in Endocrinology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2020.577691
Grants
Upton, D., Upton, P., Bold, J. & Peters, D. (2009) Regional Evaluation of Weight Management Programmes for Children and Families, Department of Health West Midlands, March-December 2009, £80,000.
Griffiths, L. & Peters, D., (2013) Evaluation of ‘Wolfie’s Workouts’: a physical activity based health promotion programme, Wolves Community Trust and Wolverhampton City Primary Care Trust, £29,948.
Smith, J. et al (2014) SHAPE (Supporting Health and Promoting Exercise), Health Foundation, £70,493.
Reference 3 is included in the output submission for UoA3 in REF2021. Reference 1 was included in the output submission for UoA4 in REF2014.
4. Details of the impact
The evaluation of the SHAPE programme (Source A) showed the clear clinical benefits of the intervention. The programme:
effectively supported weight maintenance
reduced harmful lifestyle behaviours such as tobacco and alcohol use
increased physical activity levels.
An economic evaluation of the programme (Source B) highlighted a wide range of potential costs savings derived from:
improved clinical outcomes for users
improved “quality of life years” for users (QALY)
Following the success of the pilot programme, in 2017 Worcestershire Clinical Commissioning Group extended the delivery of the SHAPE intervention to all outpatient mental health service users in the county and introduced three new permanent job roles (Physical Health Lead, Physical Activity Health Coordinator, Physical Activity Support Worker) to oversee, deliver and support the delivery of the SHAPE intervention across Worcestershire at a cost of £70,000 (Source C). The introduction of the programme, with associated referral processes, has enabled the Trust to improve their collection of physical and mental health data, with associated benefits for service users, but also Trust performance against nationally identified performance measures, e.g. CQUINs, and national initiatives, e.g. Making Every Contact Count; Don’t just screen, intervene (Source C).
The ongoing delivery of the programme was supported by the SHAPE project team through:
the development of a new clinical health assessment form to standardise screening, now used as part of the standard clinical assessment process in Worcestershire.
the design and delivery of a one day training course entitled ‘Physical Health Training for Mental Health Nurses’ which provides an overview of the NHS Commissioning for Quality and Innovation (CQUIN) responsibilities and training for physical health assessments (blood pressure, body mass index, waist circumference) for mental health care professionals to assess and monitor patient physical health (Source D).
The SHAPE team received an additional £30,000 funding from a Health Foundation Spreading Improvement grant to disseminate further the findings of the project and the resources developed. This supported the development of a ‘mySHAPE’ website to provide patients, carers, providers and commissioners online access to physical health care information for individuals with psychosis and to give healthcare providers free access to all SHAPE intervention programme materials, allowing them to deliver the SHAPE programme in their region.
The SHAPE team adopted a wider dissemination programme which saw them deliver to both academic and practitioner audiences regionally, nationally and internationally. This included: NHS National Learning Network (April 2015); Health Services Journal (HSJ) Value in Healthcare Congress (May 2016); American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting, Boston, USA (June 2016); IEPA 10th International Conference on Early Intervention in Mental Health, Milan, Italy (October 2017); West Midlands Early Intervention Psychiatry regional network (March 2017); NICE Shared Learning Awards (June 2017).
The SHAPE intervention has been recognised in the NICE Shared Learning Database which underlines how the intervention addresses recent NICE guidance and quality standards -NICE CG178, NICE CG155, NICE QS80, NICE QS102 (Source E). The intervention is also highlighted in the King’s Fund learning network for Integrated Physical and Mental Health (Source F). Further, the intervention was identified as a key area of evidence in the British Association for Psychopharmacology (BAP) Guidelines (co-authored by Jo Smith) on the management of weight gain, metabolic disturbances and cardiovascular risk associated with psychosis and antipsychotic drug treatment (Source G).
The SHAPE programme has now been delivered (and continues to be delivered, including online during the Covid pandemic) in a number of NHS trusts across the Midlands:
North and South Worcestershire (Worcester, Malvern, Evesham, Kidderminster, Redditch, Bromsgrove)
Dudley and Walsall
Hereford (in partnership with a local fitness centre provider (Halo) and offered to service users from a range of different adult mental health services (not restricted to the FEP / EI service)
Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust
The SHAPE programme has thus been delivered to 38 groups of service users across 4 NHS trusts in the West Midlands.
SHAPE has also informed the development of a similar programmes nationally, e.g. in the Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust, and internationally, in Australia and Portugal. This wider impact on the SHAPE programme is articulated by Dr David Shiers, lead for the National Early Intervention in Psychosis Programme (2004-2010), who states: “the SHAPE programme continues to play an important role in influencing other healthcare professionals within EIP services, made a compelling case for how services can help tackle this health inequality by addressing health risks in the critical first few years of psychosis and its treatment” (Source H).
To sum up, the research described in section 2 has had the following impacts on health and wellbeing:
the development of a new lifestyle intervention trialled with users which demonstrated a positive outcome for users and healthcare providers alike
informed decisions taken by a health service and improved provision of health services
influenced the content of CPD for health professionals
raised awareness of the importance of exercise in the treatment of mental health and early cardio-metabolic risk for young people with FEP
5. Sources to corroborate the impact
Letter from Chris Burton, Physical Health Activity Coordinator, Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust
Physical Activity Nurse Clinical Champions - PHE clinical training to improve local outcomes
Letter from Dr David Shiers, Honorary Reader in Early Psychosis, University of Manchester