Artificial Neural Networks

This chapter shows the basic structure and function of a simple neural network as well as some examples where Artificial Neural Networks can be applied in sports. Artificial Neural Networks are inspired by the biological nervous system and can identify patterns and make predictions based on input data. The artificial neural network learns the relation between the input and the output data in a training/learning phase. A distinction is made between supervised learning, in which solutions are also communicated to a network, and unsupervised learning, in which the network identifies relations independently without instructions. In sports science, Artificial Neural Networks can be used e.g., in sports games for the identification of game patterns or in motion analyses for the estimation of gait parameters.