Pursuing performance vs. chasing numbers: Data-driven dysfunction

Certain numbers carry a lot of weight in professional sports. Vertical jump height, torque symmetry, sprint speed... these metrics become badges of progress. They’re clean, objective, and easy to report to coaches and decision makers. The uncomfortable truth is chasing numbers for their own sake can be misleading. Athletes and practitioners will celebrate new “personal bests” while using compensatory strategies that made the data almost meaningless. New max speeds set off a round of high-fives and congratulations without any understanding of the situational risk the athlete exposed themselves ...