Collaborative Research with Kumamoto Volters Aiming to Enhance Athletic Performance through Data Analysis
In April 2024, Kumamoto University concluded a comprehensive partnership agreement with the Kumamoto Volters (a men's basketball team in the B2 League), and the Sakura-Jyuji Group (a medical group). Moving forward, they will conduct joint research based at the Toroku Gymnasium, supporting the team through the field of sports science. We spoke with Associate Professor Yusuke SUENAGA from the Graduate School of Education/Faculty of Education, who is involved in these research efforts.
Revealing Techniques to Improve Performance
Could you please share with us about the details of your joint research?
Initially, we have been researching effective basketball tactics, such as why a player dribbles at a particular moment and to whom the player passes the ball. By using match videos, we will gather data on instances like "when the player wearing number 10 holds the ball," "when a shot is taken," and "when a shot is successful." This allows us to identify patterns, such as "this is what happened when we succeeded" and "this is what happened when we failed," and analyze them according to the team's strategies.
In addition to analyzing our own team's actions, we also examine data on our opponents. We always discuss with the Kumamoto Volters to determine the best methods for analysis and which data should be used.
Other than that, we are researching gaze behavior. The players will wear cameras that track their eye movements during play. Understanding how the receiving side observes shotting side will help players receiving passes more effectively, and learn the optimal timing and movement.
Through such analyses, we aim to conduct research that will enhance game performance.
From Left: President Ogawa of Kumamoto University, Director Kuratsu of Sakura-Jyuji Hospital, CEO Yunoue of Kumamoto Basketball Co., Ltd.
Associate Professor Suenaga Introducing the Collaborative Research During the Agreenebt Signing Ceremony
Are you also exploring coaching methods?
For example, by quantitatively measuring when the coach talks to the players, and what kinds of feedbacks given to the players, and comparing this data with the players' performance, we can figure out the type of encouragement that best improves performance for this player. Although it’s not always a simple cause-and-effect case, in the sports world, there are highly skilled coaches known for strengthening teams they train. What is the difference? There is a key for sure. I believe it is very meaningful to analyze and quantify the techniques used by these expert coaches.
Analyzing A Professional Team as a New Role Model
Is there any university involved in analyzing data of professional teams?
As far as I know, there are no other universities in Japan closely involved in data analysis with professional basketball teams. While some universities have partnership agreements with teams, mainly focusing on strategies to attract audiences during games. Universities actively working on enhancing team tactics and overall strength are rare, making it a unique initiative in the B League, so we aim for this initiative to serve as a model.
Are Kumamoto University Students involved in this research?
We established the "Sports Pedagogy Research Group" to recruit students supporting the Kumamoto Volters. Students who are interested in data analysis are gathering from various faculties. I think for students, being involved in analyzing a professional team is a valuable experience and a significant learning opportunity. The knowledge and experience gained here will be useful in any field they choose to pursue.
Moving forward, I would like to expand the scope of my research into various sports beyond basketball, and engage in activities that promote the health of people in Kumamoto throughout a year.
Developing Menus for Pre- and Post-Sports Nutrition
Are you working on developing meal menus?
In cooperation with Andosaiki Co., Ltd, which promotes the "Hinomoto Pork " brand in Izumi machi, and General Incorporated Association SEP, which handles after-school childcare, we are planning to develop menus for Pre- and Post-Sports Nutrition using "Hinomoto Pork ". Students in our research group will examine the features of pork and breeding methods, consult with nutritionists from Sakurajyuji Hospital which we have concluded a collaboration agreement with, and devise menus. As a first step, we will offer the meals in the cafeteria of Kumamoto University and Kodomo cafeteria managed by Volters Kitchen of Kumamoto Volters. Hopefully, we can provide the players with the meal by the start of the next season in autumn in consideration of feedbacks from people who tried the meals, and we can contribute to revitalizing Izumi-machi by promoting "Hinomoto Pork".
Do you also play basketball?
I started playing basketball in junior high school, and besides being a player, sometimes I served as a referee or an officer in the student federation for organizing tournaments during my undergraduate years. In the graduate school, I focused on research related to basketball gameplay and refereeing, which is how to enhance the abilities required for making accurate judgments on movements. After graduation from the graduate school, I wanted to join a basketball team as an administrative staff member, but due to the economic downturn at the time, many teams were struggling to survive, so I became an elementary school teacher. After being a teacher in an elementary school, I got interested in teacher training, then I returned to graduate school. After gaining some experiences working as a teacher at a private university, I joined Kumamoto University 2 years ago.
Enhancing The Game Experience with Technology
What is your foresight?
In sports, there are various specialized fields such as sports medicine, nutrition, culture, literature and law. I would like to norture students who will be active in these diverse fields. Also, currently we are working with a home economics specialist to develop a comfortable training wear for players. If it is possible, I would like to create the training wear made from large amounts of plastic bottle waste generated at sports venues.
Furthermore, I would like to try other things using technology. For example, combining with VR goggles enable real-time match viewing from anywhere. It would be exciting if people could experience the atmosphere of the prefectural gymnasium from the comfort of their homes. Moreover, we want to enhance the enjoyment of matches at the venue by leveraging smartphones. For example, if players wore microchips on their uniforms and there were QR codes on the audience seats, fans could scan their smartphones to get information like the player's position, height or the number of shots made in this match, that would be so interesting.
Nowadays, children have fewer chances to play outside, and tend to spend more time on video games. In the future, I think sports could be played using VR and AR (augmented reality). I envision a system where children can throw a ball while wearing goggles, and it appears in their friend's virtual space. We can't tell kids not to use smartphones, so I hope we can develop ways to use them effectively for playing sports.
Could you please give some comments on how to enjoy sports?
Sports can be enjoyed in many ways beyond just playing; you can watch, support, and learn about them. Sports can enrich our life, and we can gain happiness from sports. I often watch Volters' games, and it’s not just about winning or losing; there's a joy in sharing the same space and moment with the players. Whenever I go to the Prefectural Gymnasium, I can bond with people of different generations, cheer loudly, and feel like a different person from my usual self. It gives me the motivation to keep going the next day. I hope the stadium becomes a social hub where people from all walks of life can connect with each other.
