Rocky Mountain Tracking » Sports

GPS Monitoring Symbolizes Drastic Shift in Sports Monitoring

John Chapman — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:00:26 +0000

One of the most exciting applications of modern GPS tracking technology is sports. Sports fans talk statistics with a precision and enthusiasm that rivals the most adept MIT mathematician. Whether it’s the speed of Nolan Ryan’s legendary pitches, Kobe Bryant’s vertical, Lance Armstrong’s speed, or the machinations of Tiger Woods’ drive, mathematical precision as it applies to sports analysis is both a hobby, and an industry.

Indeed, it seems as if sports, in America and beyond, drives a segment of the world economy with the same human necessity and regularity as plumbing or construction. People need their toilets fixed, people need their homes repaired, and people need to watch professional sports.

The side industry of sports analytics has always thrived, seeking new ways to measure individual achievement. This is the great glory of sports: it is a celebration of human beings that push their limits, that smash barriers, that turn the human machine into something that performs in truly magnificent ways. In American football games, sports announcers never seem to run out of odd analytics with which to qualify players—“The most interceptions in Qualcomm Stadium during the first half of a fourth quarter since 1998,” etc.

In Great Britain, only the sports are different. Manchester United dominates as the world’s most profitable sports franchise (America’s Dallas Cowboys trails as a far distant second), while cricket remains a traditional fascination not only for England but for a large portion of the world.

England’s national cricket team recently announced that GPS tracking devices have been installed on the tops of all players’ uniforms. This no doubt has sports analysts worldwide salivating. The GPS monitors track players’ movements with pinpoint precision, allowing entire new metrics of statistics to be created and monitored.

Strangely, England is not the first cricket team to institute GPS tracking. Australia came first, utilizing GPS trackers as a method of recording, then improving, player performance.

Is GPS tracking likely to become an ubiquitous part of professional athletes’ lives? At this point, the answer is yes. Sports make money—and businesses are always looking for new ways to monitor athletes, track changes, and turn them into athletic monsters. It will be fascinating to see how GPS tracking gives sports commentators new stats to breathe into the microphone.

GPS Helps Lead Sydney to Victory

Khristen Foss — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 13:42:29 +0000

If you ask a player from the Sydney FC Sky Blues what the secret to their success this season is, they might tell you it’s the players’ determination to be the very best. If you ask the team’s doctor, he’ll likely credit GPS tracking devices used in the athletes’ training.

Dr. Craig Duncan collects information during each training session thanks to the devices worn by players which transmit data back to his laptop, allowing him to make adjustments to each individual’s training program for the day. If there is one player who appears to be overworked, he can see this and end their training for the day. If there is a player not working as hard as they should the problem is highlighted, allowing the coaches to push that player a bit harder.

The doctor appreciates that everyone on the coaching staff is supportive of this program. “The coaching staff all understands the importance of what I’m trying to do and we all work together. I’m lucky to be at a club where everyone, from the head coach to the physio, is pulling in the same direction and accept this is the best way to go. We’re able to tailor sessions according to predetermined modeling and, so far, it’s going really well.”

And it isn’t just the team iteslf that sees the importance of what Dr. Duncan is doing. He was recently the main speaker at a medical forum in London where the world’s top sports teams happened to be gathered, and has also received lucrative offers from other AFL clubs.

Dr. Duncan stresses the importance of medical staff being part of a successful training program, rather than the traditional “strength and conditioning” coaches most teams rely on. “I’m not interested in making us the fittest team in the A-League. I’m looking at creating a team which measures itself, fitness-wise, on an international scale.” It was Duncan himself who felt Sydney needed to step up their game in the area of fitness in the first place, a result of player performance reviews and discussions with coaches.

After 11 games, it is evident his program is paying off. Three out of the 11 games saw Sydney coming from behind to claim victory, unlike the last two seasons where they could only boast of one comeback. Not even a week ago, they were down 1-0 until they came out of nowhere to take over and win the match, blindsiding their tired opponents.

And what do the players think of all this? One of the Sky Blues, Nicky Carle, says, “The set up Sydney has at the moment – in terms of science, medicine, rehab, and coaches working together – is second to none.”

Photo Courtesy of TheBuffaFamily through Flickr Creative Commons

GPS Hits the NY Marathon

Admin — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 12:28:45 +0000

Yet another race will allow fans to follow favorite runners thanks to GPS technology: the 2011 NY Marathon which will be held November 6. Fans will be able to go online to see in real-time how their favorite runner is doing thanks to GPS sensors, which will track the runners along the course.

An added bonus: race organizers also plan on sending data via email and SMS, along with automatic Facebook status updates and tweets.

Why does tracking a huge race such at the NY Marathon matter? Well, consider relatives of marathon racers. For example, many older people escape the cold northeast during the winter months in order to avoid snow, wind, and rain.

But, these people may still want to see their grandsons, granddaughters, or children running in one of the biggest races on the planet. Now, relatives all over the globe can look at a webpage in order to view how a runner is doing mile by mile – all from the comfort of home.

GPS tracking technology within the sport of running has been a motivating factor for other runners as well. Various tracking apps and devices push runners to work harder than they normally would. Data is then transmitted via a running app or other device to a smartphone.

This information can then be sent to social networking sites such as Facebook for the world to see – that’s more than enough motivation for most people!

GPS lends itself to the sport of running. From the NY Marathon to pushing one’s self as far as possible, running has come a long way thanks to GPS.

Article Written by Khristen Foss

GPS and the Super Bowl: A Perfect Match

Admin — Sat, 15 Jan 2011 16:00:38 +0000

Since its start in 1967, the Super Bowl has grown to an astonishing popularity. Every year, millions of frenzied sports fans gather around their television sets to experience the excitement of this long-awaited match-up between the NFL’s top teams. The most popular yearly broadcast on television, the Super Bowl causes companies to line up for commercial space and churches to cancel their services so that members can watch the game. Today, the event has become so huge that GPS tracking is now a necessary aspect of the game’s organization.

With tens of thousands of fans piling into the stadium for Super Bowl game day, the event is nothing less than a mob scene. In the midst of the crowd, getting players and officials into the stadium can be a challenge of gargantuan proportions. To make the process easier, GPS trackers are now installed in vehicles carrying team members, game day officials, and VIPs. Utilizing this technology makes it possible for NFL staff to monitor the entrance of key individuals and to keep traffic flow moving properly.

The use of GPS also allows NFL staff to keep track of the location of vehicles en route to the stadium. In the event that a bus breaks down or a limousine gets stuck in traffic, the schedule can be easily adjusted given the instant feedback provided by GPS coordinates. If assistance is needed, officials know exactly where to go. Using the information provided by perfectly synced satellite systems, a tiny box installed in a vehicle can transmit the car’s precise location at all times.

For years, technology-savvy organizations have been using GPS technology to streamline transportation and scheduling. Today, it is used for everything from train schedules to child safety, with raving reviews. However, it is only recently that the sports arena has come to consider this noteworthy application. And why not? If a tracker can be used to monitor the location of a vehicle, it makes sense to use it on a team bus or on a VIP limousine.

Gone are the days of worrying about popular players getting mobbed by adoring fans on their way to the big game. Traveling in carefully monitored vehicles, Super Bowl athletes will safely arrive at their destination, having been ushered into the stadium on a precisely timed schedule. Thus, GPS tracking has become an essential aspect of football’s most time-honored tradition.

Article Written by Greg Bartlett

Nike Teams Up With TomTom

Admin — Thu, 06 Jan 2011 16:00:38 +0000

Runners all around the globe rejoiced when Nike devised the Nike + Fitness software pack. Now, Nike has teamed up with GPS tracking manufacturer TomTom in order to bring running enthusiasts a new kind of workout gadget. The Nike + Sportwatch is set to hit store shelves in April of 2011.

The Nike + Sportwatch will allow runners to track and trace every pavement-pounding footstep. Working in conjunction with TomTom’s GPS navigation system and mapping capabilities in addition to a Nike sensor, the Nike + Sportwatch will record every move made by a runner. At the end of a run, the information recorded by the Nike Sportwatch can be uploaded to a USB port.

Not only is the Nike + Sportwatch innovative, it is also incredibly easy to use. This watch will feature a “tap” screen that allows users to simply tap the screen when searching for a backlight or signaling a new route. Starting the watch is a cinch too. As soon as the watch has been placed on a runner’s wrist, a few quick pushes of a button will signal the GPS tracking device.

With the Nike + Sportwatch, runners will no longer have to guess which roads have already been traveled. This watch also gives those with less drive a boost by displaying a green screen when the watch has not been used for awhile. The Nike + Sportwatch can be pre-ordered through the Nike website in March of 2011. There is no word yet as to how much Nike plans on charging consumers for the GPS watch.

Article Written by Harriette Halepis

Protecting Winter Athletes with GPS Tracking

Admin — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 16:00:34 +0000

When it comes to extreme sports, accidents are not merely a possibility – they are a reality. Every day, mountain bikers and snowboarders take their lives into their hands as they hit the trails and the slopes. Whether for the glory or just for the thrill, these risk-takers give themselves very little room for error. And when accidents happen, there is often no one around to know. GPS tracking has thus become a critical player in the world of sports.

The Roof of Africa dirt bike race is known around the world for its extreme difficulty and danger. This year, to preempt disaster, Lesotho race officials initiated the use of GPS devices as a method of tracking riders. At designated checkpoints, riders were required to check in with their tracker armbands. Seeking to leave no opportunity for tragedy, the location of each biker was thus carefully maintained by race officials, with helicopters hovering overhead, ready for an emergency evacuation, if necessary.

In addition to proving useful to the riders’ safety, the GPS tracking system utilized for the Roof of Africa race also provided viewers with real-time updates on the progress of the competition. At any given time, officials were able to recognize the leaders of the pack and accurately report on the positions of the riders. The use of this technology’s status reporting created a consistent buzz of excitement throughout the course of the competition. Thus, GPS has proven to be not only a safety precaution when it comes to extreme sports, but also a means to a more crowd-pleasing public event.

GPS tracking makes it possible for athletes to be consistently monitored during their time on the course. In the event that someone should go missing or get injured, emergency personnel can utilize the worn technology to quickly pinpoint the location of the endangered sportsman. This kind of protection is critical for all extreme sports, whether it is skydiving or dirt biking.

Every year, athletes die while enjoying extreme sports. In many of these situations, tragedy could have been avoided if the missing individual could have been quickly tracked with GPS. And since the purchase of available technology is no longer a financial impossibility for most athletes, it only makes sense for extreme sports aficionados to take precaution and equip themselves with protective gear. Would a skier hit the slopes without his poles? Of course not! Neither should he leave the lodge without GPS.

Article Written by Greg Bartlett

GPS Tracking for Dog Sled Races

RMT GPS News — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:26:48 +0000

By Greg Bartlett

GPS tracking has certainly spread into all areas of life in the past decade. What was originally used primarily for the military has now become a normal part of everyday life. GPS tracking devices have saved businesses thousands of dollars and kept hundreds of people safe. And now GPS technology has even started being used in a variety of leisure activities.

GPS & Dog Sled Racing

Mountain climbers, swimmers, and vacationers have all used GPS tracking to record their progress. Many people are even building websites around the information from their GPS tracking devices so that others can share in their accomplishments.

The idea of using GPS technology to allow others around the globe to track your movements has become very popular for races as well. Sailboat races and channel swims have been logged with GPS technology. But the latest addition is the dog sled race.

This February in Anchorage, Alaska, the 64th World Championship Dog Sled Race will now incorporate GPS tracking. Following the example of the most famous dog sled race, the Iditarod Trail Race, the 25-mile race will be tracked and displayed on the internet so people all around the world can follow the progress.

Each dog sled musher will receive a GPS tracking device that is very similar to a real time vehicle tracking device. The participants in the race will all be tracked on an animated map, allowing fans to watch as the mushers pass each other as they strive for the win. Internet fans will receive an accurate view of the race, because the GPS trackers will record the speed and position of each dog sled.

Long-distance races like these can be very difficult for fans to follow, especially in the extremely cold temperatures. Now, fans from all around Alaska can follow the race on their computers. The addition of GPS tracking devices to the race will give this yearly dog sled race more attention than they have ever received. Usually the most publicity the race gets is a short TV news clip.

GPS technology is still mostly used by businesses in fleet tracking and to track shipments of goods and by law enforcement officers to monitor suspects and criminals on parole. However, as time progresses and GPS systems develop, more personal uses for GPS technology will be discovered. These discoveries will lead to the creation of GPS devices designed for that particular activity, making the personal use of GPS tracking systems more and more popular.

Tour of Britain Fans Can Follow Via GPS Tracking

RMT GPS News — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 14:15:02 +0000

By Harriette Halepis

The Tour of Britain is England’s biggest professional bike race. Every year race fans gear up for a day filled with adventure and excitement. While each year is more exciting than the next, 2009 is bound to go down in history as being one of the most memorable Tour of Britain years yet.

What makes this year so different? Race promoters, in conjunction with Cambridge Design Partnership, have decided to make the event entirely traceable with the help of GPS tracking systems. Fans will be able to watch every twist and turn for free thanks to this modern technology.

Cambridge’s GPS platform called Gmax Go is designed to follow participants throughout the eight stages of the race. Gmax project leader, Will Bradley, believes that “…modern GPS tracking technology is revolutionizing the appeal of long distance sports such as The Tour of Britain to many spectators. It allows enthusiasts, teams and organizers to stay engaged with the live progress of the race from anywhere with an internet connection.”

While Britain certainly has its share of Tour of Britain fans, there are also fans in other parts of the world that usually miss out on the event’s happenings. This year proves to be different as fans from every corner of the earth will sit watching their computer screens tracking each moment of this time-honored journey.

The Tour of Britain begins on September 12, 2009. The starting point of the tour is York, and the tour is set to end in Somerset.

GPS Tracking Devices and Long Distance Swimming

RMT GPS News — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 19:58:10 +0000

By Greg Bartlett

As GPS technology becomes more and more advanced, people are finding new ways to incorporate these tracking devices into their everyday lives. Using GPS tracking devices in a variety of personal ways has never been easier because there are so many different kinds of tracking devices available.

One relatively new use for GPS tracking devices is the monitoring of a race or journey. Recently, a Californian traveled to Europe to swim across the English Channel, tracking the entire 13 hour swim with his GPS. Fifty-two year old Mark Stone had been training for this swim for two years. When he finally began the 21 mile course from England to France through those choppy waters, he wanted more support than that of his coach and his wife who were beside him in a boat throughout the race. Using a GPS tracking device on the boat, his coach and wife were able to post reports to Twitter and Facebook, giving their exact location as well as the current swimming conditions and Stone’s mood and energy level.

Thanks to GPS tracking devices, one man’s marathon swim across the English Channel can be supported by all of his friends and family around the globe as they receive consistent updates about the swim and what Mark Stone was experiencing. The tracking device also gives Stone an electronic record of his swim, which can be very helpful if he ever decides to swim the English Channel again and also for future swimmers.

Extreme Sports Need GPS Tracking

RMT GPS News — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:54:22 +0000

by James Neely, freelance writer: click | HERE | to inquire about writing services

In the world of sports, there are pursuits known as “extreme sports.” This means that the risks are higher, and therefore the safety measures must be higher as well. These sports include motocross racing, off-road cycling or truck and car racing, etc. Even high-speed boat racing is considered extreme.

There is a entry level of amateurs who are involved in these sports and who are prime candidates for GPS tracking to help in keeping tabs on where participants and their gear is located.

GPS Tracking for location

When going off-road, those who participate in this type of sports need to be tracked for location. Being able to watch in real-time when you cannot be visually located is mandatory. Should you crash or become stuck in mud, it will help you to know that you are being monitored and that assistance is on the way.

GPS Tracking for direction of Travel

Moving through a course requires you to know the boundaries and where to go next. Being able to track your progress and make sure you are on the right path is essential to staying out of trouble and keeping from being disqualified. Real time tracking will take care of this for you.

GPS Tracking for duration

In extreme sports the goal is to finish in the best time possible. The changing weather conditions might make it difficult to get a grasp on time management for a given race. GPS tracking helps you monitor for duration and get an idea of where you will finish compared to what you need to do in order to win the race.

GPS Tracking for security

Racing components and vehicles are expensive. And, unfortunately, there are opportunists (otherwise known as thieves) who would take your gear in a heart-beat and sell it to make money. Being out of doors and having your operations open to the public puts you at risk. That is why GPS tracking devices need to be attached to everything can be stolen. Consider this for anything that is of a high cost or value to your extreme sports operations.

This can be vehicles, but also can include trailers, 4×4 wheelers, computers, campers, expensive tools, etc. Being able to locate your things should they be taken helps you recover quicker and keeps you in the race (so to speak).

Extreme sports can get extreme help from GPS tracking devices. You can benefit by making a small investment in these units and placing them onto your most expensive pieces of equipment today. Here’s to your success.