Abstract

Squash lends itself strongly to the dynamical system theory as the game is always played between two players; therefore the behaviour of one directly affects the behaviour of the other. An open system displays rhythmical patterns and often displays invariant behavioural. In order to control the rhythm of the game, it is essential to attempt to keep your opponent under pressure and not in control of the centre of the court, called the T. When a disturbance in a dynamical system occurs, it is defined as a perturbation – in squash this is a very good shot that therefore upsets the rhythm of the rally and puts physical pressure on the opposing player. Hence perturbations exist in an open system where the normal constant rhythm of play is disturbed by excessive elements of high, or low, skills. This consequently results in a particular outcome, which places one of the players, or a team, at a disadvantage, for example their displacement on court. Momentum is a physical term that refers to the quantity of motion that an object has and can be defined as 'mass in motion'. The concept of momentum analysis was introduced into squash, and from this analysis players were able to see their momentum through the match – these data curves were calculated using the rally's ending shot, positive changes for winners, negative changes for errors. The function of this investigation is to assemble momentum profiles of elite male and female squash players by using perturbations in performance, and compare these with momentum profiles calculated from the same matches using winners and errors. Information from these profiles will then be compared to those profiles gathered by more traditional means. Aus der Einleitung (geändert)