Sport is increasingly being described as a complex system. This inherent complexity cannot be understood by examining components in isolation, rather, the system as a whole should represent the unit of analysis. Systems thinking is the answer to understand this complexity. Systems thinking, is a fundamental approach for understanding complexity and is beginning to gain traction in sport. It provides a philosophy and a set of associated methods which can be used to understand and optimize the behavior of complex systems such as sport.

This book presents, for the first time, a practical guide to applying contemporary systems thinking methods in sport, as well as case study applications demonstrating how their outputs can be translated in practice. The methods described in this book can be used for better understanding the systemic influences on performance, injury, team functioning, decision making, adverse incidents, sports organization design and redesign, and prediction modelling.

Systems Thinking Methods in Sport provides a practical step by step guide for sports practitioners and stakeholders, as well as university students and academics in applying state-of-the-art systems thinking methods to sport.