big data
& IoT
metrics are only as useful, though,
as the ability to make sense of
them. This has been the toughest
nut to crack, and and it’s where Big
Data analytics comes in.
Through analytics, the raw data
that comes from the individual
athlete or team can be examined
at a granular detail to better
understand where improvements
can be made to that athlete’s
technique or training schedule.
It’s helping prevent injuries too.
Rugby union teams now use data
monitoring and analytics to watch
for and prevent injuries. It’s making
dangerous sports less dangerous
without impacting on the spectacle.
In fact, real time analytics have
the power to enhance spectator
enjoyment. Looking back at our
baseball example, sports fans are
unashamed stats nerds and the
more they can get access to, the
happier they will be. And imagine
being able to see the heart rate of
Cristiano Ronaldo as he steps up
to take a free kick or Joe Root as he
faces a 90MPH delivery from Morne
Morkel. It would give the spectator
a unique insight into the experience
of the athlete like never before.
What sports
insiders think
At the January event in
Manchester Town Hall, Steve
Bate and Steve Flynn, director
of GB Taekwondo, spoke about
the impact wearable tech and
analytics made to their sports.
22 | June 2017
Steve Bate
is one of the
many British
Paralympic and
Olympic athletes
who can testify
to how wearable
tech and Big
Data analytics
is giving them a
competitive edge
in their sport.
‘The speed
at which
data can be
converted
into athletic
training is
incredible.’
Bate spoke about the wearable
tech made a huge difference to his
training: ‘We can do real time out
on the road, we don’t need to be in
a lab any more with masks on and
things like that because actually
with having power and heart rates
and stuff we can do a lot of that.’
Of course, the data still needs
analysing and Bate made it clear
how this had given him a competitive
edge: ‘The helmet, the skin suit,
the socks you wear, really small,
minor gains, marginal gains, but
actually we’ve learnt that, certainly
in the last six months, that the
biggest gain you get is your physical
performance. And the fitter you
are, the faster you’re going to go.’
Steve Flynn dropped an
anecdote from the Beijing
Olympic