What do you do when you own a rugby team that just isn’t performing at the top of their game? Well, the owner of the Bradford Bulls has found a way to track the team’s progress down to the last movement. Through the use of GPS tracking systems, the Bulls hope to keep tabs on where and how players go wrong.
GPS Tracking & Sports
Coach Steve McNamara has outfitted the team with GPS tracking devices that detect every movement. These trackers will allow McNamara to find out who is making mistakes, and how those mistakes are being made. In addition, the trackers will allow McNamara to monitor every player’s heart rate while also tracking a player’s speed.
The GPS trackers will help McNamara determine “…how much players are doing and how they are coping (Guardian).” While this may be one of the first spots teams to use GPS tracking technology, many other teams around the world are paying close attention to how the Bulldogs adjust to the GPS tracking system.
While GPS trackers are used for a number of different reasons, using these systems to better athletic performances is relatively new. A few teams have tried similar tactics with much success, though the idea is just starting to spread. In the end, this is one use of GPS tracking technology that is, no doubt, here to stay.
GPSports products are used extensively around the world with several leading Rugby nations maximising performance through the daily tracking of their team's workloads.
Users include: The Wallabies, Springboks, England, Ireland & Fiji National programs as well as all Australian Super 15 franchises.
The key benefits with using the technology include:
Accurately Quantify Training Load
Know exactly how much work a player has done in a given session
- Objectively assess loading across a range of intensities for distance, speed, acceleration, heart rate and impacts
Quantify Work Rate
Easily compare training drills to game intensity
- Use this information to guide training structure, manage overload, manipulate drills and educate coaches
Compare Individual Players
Compare players across a range of performance measures in training and game
- Use this information to target outliers in the group, assess strengths and weaknesses of individual players and quantify changes under fatigue
Maximise Performance and Minimise Injury
By understanding actual on field loads you can
- Better estimate recovery timeframes
- Better integrate types of training - speed, conditioning, strength, power, cross training
- Accurately periodise cycles of training
- Accurately assess and monitor players during rehabilitation
Instant Information
Receive live training data streamed to your mobile device during training. This allows you to be on field and make informed decisions regarding;
- The accumulation of load during a training session
- High risk players on restricted training loads
- Feedback and instruction to coaches and players
- The manipulation of training to achieve desired outcomes
- For example assess heart rate response of the team and immediately modify work to rest ratios, drill sizes and or drill rules to change physical requirements
Improve Your Understanding of the Game
Collate game data to benchmark positional demands;
- Use this information to prioritise the athletic development of your players
- Compare your data with other teams and levels of competition to identify areas for improvement
TESTIMONIAL
When we first started to use GPSports system we discovered massive differences between the workload we've wanted to achieve and the workload that was being achieved. We can now confidently mimic training intensity and volume to match the actual game we are preparing for objectively.
Tuggeranong Vikings Rugby Union Club (2011 John I Dent Cup Premiers - Ben Norcott - Strength and Conditioning Coach
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