Advancing the application of movement analysis technology for sports-skill analysis in youth talent identification

This project will be supervised by Dr Kevin Ball, Dr Nicholas Busuttil, Dr Sam McIntosh, and Dr Paul Larkin. Kevin and Nick bring expertise in applied biomechanics, Paul specialises in talent identification, and Sam offers industry experience and expertise in in data analytics. Identifying athletic potential early remains a major challenge in youth sport with traditional methods relying on basic testing or subjective observation. This project explores how uniaxial force plates can provide objective, sport-specific insights by analysing key movements like jumping and landing and understanding their relationship with sport specific skills. By examining force-time metrics such as peak force, impulse, and rate of force development, we aim to link physical performance with long-term skill development and sport-specific demands, offering coaches and talent scouts a practical, biomechanically-driven tool for talent identification.