My research is primarily in the field of sports performance analysis. I am an applied researcher, using methods of modern sports analytics that emphasize research designs that plausibly identify causal effects. Much of my research involves fieldwork to gather new primary data. My research studies measure the physical and psychological variables that impact development and performance in sports settings using data collected with performance coding systems that I designed.
The focus of my research is sports performance, and findings have contributed to national programme change. Topics include the performance impact on players of friendship affiliation, movement competency and rule change. This research analyses game modification, coach feedback, movement competency and officiating in New Zealand. The research informed the design and implementation of the NZ National Junior Netball Development Programme (FutureFerns), the influence is now international as the programme is integral to the Fiji NetGo programme. The issue with performance analysis is the large data sets that are produced and these can prove problematical to coaches. Wider public access of my research is on the Sci21 website. My contributions to research include refereeing journal articles, including top-ranking ones such as Sports Medicine (impact 6.83), supervising and examining PhD and Masters theses. As the organiser of several conferences I have been able to develop the performance analysis research team at AUT and attract research funding . I have delivered conference addresses at various local and national conferences, facilitated leadership programmes and collaborate across sports and sports organisations. My research has informed decisions in elite sport and I am president of the Oceania branch of the International Society of Performance Analysis in Sport.
https://academics.aut.ac.nz/kirsten.spencer
