Preparing Video-Based Teaching Aids for Elite Athletes: Software Choice

Introduction. Motion analysis is a common approach in preparation of elite athletes. A good practice is presenting materials of analysis in a CD or DVD format; special software is required to create CD/DVD projects from recorded data. Aim of the Study. The aim of this work is development of a step-by-step procedure for creation of user-friendly video-based teaching aids for athletes, and review of required software types. Materials and method. In order to make video-based teaching materials available even for small sport federations various free-of-charge software solutions, opposite to expensive payware, were tested and evaluated. Verbal communication with main users of processed video materials - athletes and their coaches - gave a better understanding of end-user needs in terms of videos. Although there are numerous software packages for processing of video records, to develop a quality and user-friendly video-based teaching aids a combination of different software is required. Software is needed to perform video capturing, video and picture editing, optical media burning and media labelling functions. Even using special motion analysis payware does not spare additional movie editing. Unfortunately free of charge software does not provide all essential functions to develop teaching aids perfectly suitable for elite athletes, still freeware is an appropriate way to prepare materials of acceptable quality. In case teaching aids are prepared for one occasion shareware is an optional solution. An array of optimal freeware solutions for processing of video materials is listed in the work. Usage of freeware for video processing is more time-consuming comparing to payware solutions. Results. A range of software products was evaluated; there are available quite a few quality free-of-charge software solutions, still it was possible to find products with sufficient functionality and user-friendly interface. A stepwise procedure of video-based teaching aids’ creation had been developed, and new user-friendly materials were distributed among athletes and coaches. Conclusions. Given all necessary hardware, video-based teaching materials of acceptable quality can be created using free-of-charge software. Commercial products offer more effective solutions, and in most cases creation of video-based teaching aids is a compromise between quality, time consumption and spending of resources