SOCIAL NETWORK ANALYSIS IN TEAM SPORTS: AN INTEGRATIVE REVIEW OF METHODS

Abstract

This paper aims to describe what has been published on the use of the social network analysis method in the sports context. To this end, an integrative review was carried out. With the following terms: network analysis and team sports. In English, Spanish and Portuguese. A total of 32 articles were returned. The most used tool in the returned articles was SocNetV in 11 studies (34.4%), followed by Gephi in seven studies (21.9%) and the R's Igraph package in four (12.5%). It is concluded that analyzing player interactions and identifying structures and patterns, becomes the focus for the social group (team) and not only on the isolated subject (athlete). Due to the low exploration and null for some sports, it is recommended to conduct studies for the female audience.

Keywords
Social network analysis; Team sports; Interactions