Sigrid Olthof

Dr. Sigrid Olthof is a senior lecturer in Performance Analysis and Analytics in the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences. Her research focuses on football performance of players and teams during practices and games. Sigrid is the Chair of the International Steering Committee on Science and Football.

Sigrid obtained a Bachelor degree in Human Movement Science and a Master degree in Sport Science from the University of Groningen (the Netherlands). She obtained her PhD degree with research in Small-Sided Games in Youth Soccer at the University of Groningen (the Netherlands). In this thesis, she investigated team tactical behaviour in small-sided games and compared this to the actual match.

Sigrid was a postdoctoral research fellow and sport scientist at the University of Michigan (USA). In this role, she researched and monitored athlete's load in American football, basketball, ice hockey, soccer (football), lacrosse, and field hockey. Alongside, she supported coaching and medical staff in the integration of data and technology into training programs, game reports, and return to play protocols

At LJMU, Sigrid's research focus is on performance analysis and analytics in football and other team sports. Her main research topics are small-sided games, training methods, coach behaviour, and wearable technology (such as GPS). She has an interest in sport technology and data to optimise performance and works on the cutting edge of science and practice.