6 AUG 2014

THE USE OF GPS IN SPORTSZAC ROWLEY SENIOR SPORTS SCIENTIST

WHAT IS GPS?

✤ GPS stands for Global Positioning System. Originally developed by the US Department of Defence for their military operations, it is now accessible to anyone worldwide.!

✤ When people refer to GPS it can be one of two things:!

! ! i) the receiver, or!

! ! ii) the network of satellites!

HOW GPS WORKS

✤ A network of satellites orbit the Earth at an altitude of almost 20,000km. The orbit of each satellite is organised so that from any point on the Earth’s surface at least 3, of not more satellites are visible.!

✤ The system uses 3D Trilateration to determine the receiver’s exact position. !

✤ Using high frequency radio waves the receiver can determine the location of any satellite and the distance between the current position and each satellite.!!

HOW GPS WORKS

✤ By imposing the location/distance of each of the visible satellites, the true position can be determined. For an in depth resource on GPS mechanisms on HowStuffWorks click here.!

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TYPES OF GPS

✤ There are 3 main types of GPS receivers commercially available.!

! ! -Data Pushers send position at regular intervals to a server to !! ! instantly ! identify the recovers position. This type of receiver is ! ! commonly used ! in fleet management and logistics for immediate ! ! tracking.!

! ! -Data Pullers are ‘always on’ and available to send location at !! ! request.!

! ! -Data Loggers record the position at set intervals on an internal ! ! drive and can be accessed through memory card or USB port. !! ! These are optimal for sporting applications.

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USES OF GPS

The Find My Phone app uses GPS technology to locate a lost/stolen device.!

SUPPLEMENTARY SENSORS FOR GPS DEVICESGPS receivers are not often used as a stand alone device in the sporting environment. They are usually integrated with multiple sensors to complement the device’s capacity.!

-Heart Rate monitors are the most often integrated with GPS data to quantify workload,!

-Accelerometer data can be combined with GPS to quantify acceleration and identify change of direction,!

-Gyroscopes enhance accuracy and determine attitude,!

-Compass can be used in navigation type events such as orienteering,!

-Altimeter data helps minimise vertical errors and can assist in accurate recording in hiking,!

-Inertial Navigation Systems for locations involving obscured GPS signals, and!

-Portable Satellite Nodes for indoor use;

METRICS MEASURED

✤ The beauty of GPS technology is that it allows us to attach a receiver on an athlete and electronically monitor by using specially developed software to measure and analyse various metrics in real time. Most sporting GPS technology can measure up to 1000 data points per second, giving huge amounts of data for sports analysts. Preseason testing will determine an accurate baseline and continued use of GPS through the season enables coaches to objectively monitor performance improvement over time. The measured aspects depend on the demands of the sport with software being tweaked for the requirement of the individual athlete:!

! ! ! -Total Distance!

! ! ! -Acceleration!

! ! ! -Top Speed!

! ! ! -Average Speed!

! ! ! -Heat Map!

! ! ! -Working Load!

! ! ! -Route Tracking

WHY YOU SHOULD USE GPS

Regardless of one’s athletic ability, the best way to improve performance is to record and monitor training. This is true for an elite athlete as well as a sedentary individual hoping to complete their first 5k. !

By quantifying activity we can set SMART goals and track progress.!

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WHY YOU SHOULD USE GPS

GPS technology allows anyone with a smartphone to measure their trail run with apps such as Map My Run.!

WHY YOU SHOULD USE GPS

For professional teams, a full data set can be provided on any training session giving coaching staff an objective breakdown of each individual’s work load.!

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THE FUTURE OF SPORT PERFORMANCE

The exciting future of wearable technology is well known. This article recently published in the Boston Globe outlines how far we’ve come in physiological monitoring and highlights the excitement in sports analytic circles.!

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FUTURE OF SPORT PERFORMANCE

Similarly, the pending introduction of smart clothing devices such as Hexoskin will add to the immense possibilities.!

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RIPCURL GPS

Rip Curl are preparing to launch the world’s first GPS surf watch.!

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Click here for more info.

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FUTURE OF SPORT PERFORMANCE

Whether combined with non-invasive electro chemical sensors like Electrozyme or MC10, GPS technology will be a quintessential aspect of human performance.

First time reading my posts? Thanks! I hope it was helpful. I write frequently on developments in Sport & Exercise Science. All photos are copyrighted by their respective owner.!

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Zac Rowley is an Australian Senior Sports Scientist specialising in applied sport technology, strength & conditioning and exercise science.