Get in the Game: GPS Helps Athlete Performance

Quick Questions

How fast can your favorite basketball player run? How far can he pass the ball? How high can he jump?

It’s in the Box

These and similar questions can be answered by a GPS device that tracks players’ physical statistics during play. The candy bar-sized GPS body recorder works when it is clipped to the top middle of the back of a player’s jersey. As he runs, the GPS tracks his speed and location on the court. It also monitors his heart and breathing rates, along with temperature and stress. Over the course of a practice, a pattern of physical statics forms.

Using the Box

But data is only valuable if it is used correctly. To reach the goal of top team performance, coaches employ physical technician managers to compile the data and interpret it into suggestions for optimum use of team energy. Some players may tire easily and need a break. Other players may not be running as fast as they can. The data help coaches and trainers strengthen individual players and ultimately, the entire team.

As a team progresses in its play, new strategies will need to be developed. The GPS body recorder allows for collection of additional statistics. The new numbers can be analyzed against   former statistics stored in the computer software that collects the GPS statistics. Technical sports trainers can then see progress in performance and can identify future areas of improvement.

Unopened Box

The GPS device offers the opportunity to collect data that drives a team’s performance. This ability is currently restricted to practices and some pre-game matches though; the NBA does not currently allow the recorder box in season games. However, European and Australian soccer leagues have used the GPS box for a couple years already. Based upon positive results in game play, the NBA could see an increase in the fine-tuned performance of athletes and in overall game performance.

Open Box 

So next time you watch a basketball game and wonder how high the player jumped to make that slam dunk, know that the information is out there in a little box powered by GPS.

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Get in the Game: GPS Helps Athlete Performance