Embedded Systems meets Sports continued

In the conclusion of my last blog of Embedded Systems in Sports I touched on the idea of a system that would be able to monitor the performance of a large group of players giving real time values during the sport being played, as it would be so beneficial for sports performance analysis and one such system exists.
Its called First Beat Sports TEAM Real life monitoring devices, which has the capabilities of monitoring 80 players heart rates, VO2 max, average calories burned per minute, the list goes on. This is done by wearing a chest monitor and the results can be seen on the user interface GUI, but theres more to it than meets the eye. This system is basically a CANBUS network, the players each wear their own individual chest monitor. Each monitor has its own address which uniquely identifies each individual player. Each Monitor sends messages wirelessly on the CANBUS network to a receiver/transmitter located 100 metres within the group of players , a CANBUS message consists of an ID which is the address of the monitor worn by the player and up to 8 data bits, these data bits consist of values which represent heart rates, VO2 Max’s etc. This receiver transmitter then sends the CANBUS messages to a receiver located next to a computer up to 400M away. These messages are then interpreted by the First Team Sports Software on the laptop. Each players data bits are uniquely identifiable due to the msgID. And then each players data bits are interpreted and characterized giving the user a readable interface. The messages are being sent from the monitors at a continuous rate and this is a lot of data to be handled by the system.

We can see the benefits of this system for sports management and how excited they are about the use of this technology, in the video below is a practical example of the First Beat Sports TEAM Real life monitoring device in operation by Waterford Senior Hurling Team and giving the demonstration is there Physical Trainer Dr. Keith Hennessey, in the demonstration we see the operation of the system, he also gives us a sneak look at some data being sent down from the players heart rates which was a nice touch from him.

This is being used at an amateur sports level but also professional sports aswel which means that the market for sports analysis equipment is on the rise, professional sports teams using the product include:

Video Link:

Chicago Bulls (Basketball), Pittsburgh Steelers (American Football), Liverpool FC, Spain National Football Team, England National Football Team, French Rugby Team:

http://www.firstbeat.com/professional-sports/references-and-case-examples

Quotes:

BOCA JUNIORS (SOCCER): http://www.firstbeat.com/professional-sports/references-and-case-examples/boca-juniors-soccer

Buffalo SABRES (ICEHOCKEY): http://www.firstbeat.com/professional-sports/references-and-case-examples/buffalo-sabres

Hopefully over the last 2 blogs ive given you a good insight into the relationship between sport and embedded systems!!!

Cormac Heffernan