Knowledge Management in Sport; Case MyE.Way Knowledge Management System

Abstract: Tracking performance and development of athletes and teams has been common in sports coaching for long. In the past, training log, stopwatch and measurement tape were easy and commonly available tools, whereas more complicated measurements such as heart rate, oxygen consumption, or power output used to require special equipment and protocols typically applied only in laboratory settings by trained experts. During recent decades, the development of technology has made the collection of data commonplace in everyday sporting contexts. Accordingly, data-driven approach to performance development has become possible. Performance tracking protocols of football teams can include daily data collection of training types and amounts, physical performance, skills and cognitive performance test results, game analysis data, psychosocial characteristics and match results and many other variables. However, mere collection of data does not guarantee the effective use of data. Instead, the amount of data can even be a burden for sports coaches and experts and make it difficult to recognize what is essential and what is not. Data from different sources must be integrated to enable holistic analysis. Furthermore, data must be turned into usable information. It needs to be provided for use in decision making about concrete actions aiming for desired outcomes. To make the data usable in changing decision-making contexts by different users, sophisticated data-analysis methods are needed. Machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) can help in identification of essential variables, personalization, forecasting future development, and generating action recommendations. At best, knowledge management influences the knowledge and actions of human actors by means of technology. However, it is necessary to also develop the processes wherein the knowledge is applied. MyE.Way is a knowledge management system implementing the E.Way framework for holistic performance development. It is developed for and applied in football, futsal and floorball. Together MyE.Way and E.Way constitute a pragmatic knowledge service providing decision support, but also creating a platform for education of the actors engaging in the player development processes.

Keywords: Knowledge Management, Knowledge Management System Data-driven Performance Development, Pragmatic Knowledge Service

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1004949

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