Monitoring and Evaluating

What is monitoring?

Monitoring is an important process during and after a training programme. Monitoring is where coahces and athletes make judgements backed up by evidence as to whether or not the training is working. If progress is being shown then changes can be made to the programme to make it harder as the performer's skill level or fitness level improves. Likewise, if they are not showing progress changes can be made to make training easier and more suitable to their level.

Monitoring Video

Reasons for Monitoring

To track progress
To see whether improvements have been made
To make changes/adaptions
To see whether we have met goals/targets
To boost motivation
To make comparisons and set new targets

Methods of monitoring

Retesting

Retesting is a process of re-completing a test and comparing the results to a previous test. This can be done for any method. It is important for this to be accurate that you retest using the same test conditions. Think of this as though you were re-conducting a science experiment you would set it up in the same was as before. For example if you did a 20m bleep test outside when you re-complete this test you should do it outside again. This method can be used at the start, middle and end of the programme to check for progress.

Below is an example of two PPWs that have been completed at the start and end of a training programme.

PPW Week 1

Here is a PPW from a performer at the start of their programme. In green you can see they are looking to improve their speed and their anger.

PPW Week 8

Here is a PPW from a performer at the end of their programme. As you can see in green they have improved their speed and improved their ability to control their anger.

Training Diary

A training diary is a record kept by performers. This is usually completed after each training session. The athlete will record things about how they felt during practice, what types of practices they did and any relevant data i.e. specific times if they were running/swimming, the amount of successful shots they hit or any feedback they received from their coach. This can be compared back to over time to check for progress in their times i.e. if they ran 3km in 15 minutes in week one and then they have ran 3.4km in 15 mins 3 weeks later they can make a judgement that they have improved their level of C.R.E (stamina).

Half Marathon training diary

Here is a training record Mr Cassells used when training for a half marathon. This allowed him to track his progress and disatcne week by week prior to running the race.

Video Comparisions

Video comparisons is a method used to compare an athlete performing a skill. This requires the performer to be filmed performing a skill (lay up for example). The two videos can then be compared and played simultaneously to check for improvements in technique. this allows you to break down skills into slow motion and check them against criteria for a model performance. These videos can also be compared to model performers (professionals). Below are some examples of video comparisons.

Badminton - model performer to athlete

Here you can see a model perfomer on the left. We can see on the right the coach has filmed his athelet's performance and highlgihted areas for improvement with the area and circle.

Layup comparison

Video comparisons can be used to compare two videos of the same performer doing the same skill. Here a performer doing a layup. He could do this at the start, during and after his trsaining programme to check for improvements in his technique. This is useful as we can stop, pause and rewind the video as well as keep it for future reference. This also allows you as the perfomer to see yourself in action.

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