paulawannaski

For the Slalom Nerds, I have been wanting to do this for a while, and thought this season is the season I will run experiments to "accurately" determine what factors affect my buoy count, to optimize performance (for tournaments lol). I will collect and record data on every ski set in order to "accurately" determine what factors affect my buoy count. Has anyone done that before? Any ideas? I previously ran an ANOVA experiment that was more general (not based on just me rather what general factors affect slalom) using 2 blocks, and studied only 3 factors (Sleep Hours/Food Intake/Alcohol Intake). Not really looking to do that again... not that interesting since this is kind of a given, sleep well, don't drink, and eat right before a ski set... I am looking to use the scientific method this time. I want it to be more specific, and just based on ME (because every person is different and this is for my personal gain), and more to confirm/disprove multiple theories that I have had for a while... That's why I'm having some trouble setting up the design, so any insight from people who've done that before, or any ideas from all the other slalom nerds would be appreciated. Also, I am not not sure what my control should be since I've never really done this before so I don't have previous measurements, and it's skiing/early season/coming back from an injury/new bindings (too many variable factors), what are your thoughts on using last year's top 10 practice (8 of them are the same lol) scores average as a control for scores? Should I always look at Off the dock result, or more like: Did I run my hardest pass for the time being? Here are some of the questions I'm trying to answer: Is performance better after a long or short warm up/ dynamic or more static is more beneficial? Is the 2nd set of the day better or 1st when you're still fresh? Is the first set after a rest day better or sets improve when you've skied the day before? Does the food diet consumed the entire week before affect (no gluten, low carb/high protein...)? Does biking a lot affect skiing? (I've kind of noticed my legs are quite stiff after biking and although I never thought it would be a factor, I'm kind of thinking it might be... For all the people who've studied sports, am I crazy to even think that?) Does caffeine the day of affect? Does time of day affect (Early morning, mid day, afternoon, evening) Additional Info: I'm using an Excel file to record data. What I have so far is multiple sheets, each sheet will serve to answer one of these questions. Each sheet will record the following info: - Date - Set # - Passes 1-8, speed/rope and buoy count for each pass - Factor Setting - General comments to refer back at the end. I will only be recording data from sets done at my home Site to reduce variation (3 lakes there, but same water for all lakes, and 3 boats, but all Nautique ski 200, so shouldn't differ too much, only variable is lake depth) I could set it up in a google sheet if someone is interested in helping set this up. Goal is to be able to easily run analysis and conclude results on data collected that's why I want it to mainly be numerical... if that makes sense? Sorry if this is too nerdy, but I can't be the only one out there who's thought of doing this, and ball of spray seems like an appropriate forum for such a discussion.