Technology in Sports: How an Inertial Measurement Unit Helps Improve Performance
Author: Dave Grendzynski
In the fast-paced world of sports technology, innovation plays a pivotal role in driving performance and gaining a competitive edge. One such innovation that has revolutionized the sporting landscape is the IMU, meaning: Inertial Measurement Unit.
Let’s dig into the definition of IMU, explore its impact on sports performance and analysis, and find out how this technology is changing the way many sports are played.
What is IMU? IMU refers to a powerful sports technology being used to capture and analyze athletes’ movements.
It consists of a combination of player tracking sensors and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) that work in unison to measure various parameters, including:
- Acceleration
- Sprints
- Decelerations
The IMU sensor collects these data points in real-time, providing valuable insights into an athlete’s performance, technique, and biomechanics.
The technology provides information instantly, which helps coaches make quick adjustments to training and game strategies in multiple indoor sports, including basketball, volleyball, ice hockey, handball, and more. IMU does not track positions but only movements. It only provides load data but no position data!
In fact, Furman University’s Men’s Basketball team uses this type of technology. It helped propel them to a Southern Conference championship and a first-round upset of Virginia in the NCAA Tournament. You can watch their story below.
How IMU is Applied to Sports Performance
IMUs have revolutionized sports performance analysis by providing objective data on an athlete’s movements. In sports like athletics, basketball, and football, IMUs are used to track many metrics, including:
- Sprinting speeds
- Jump heights
- Change of direction
Coaches and trainers can use this information to assess an athlete’s technique, identify areas for improvement, and optimize training programs to enhance their performance. IMUs are also used in sports like volleyball and basketball.
IMU sensors are integrated into wearable devices can track an athlete’s load management with various metrics, including:
- Body position
- Balance
- Joint angles
This type of data provides crucial insights for injury prevention and rehabilitation.
Advancements in Sports Data Analysis
In addition to performance enhancement, IMUs are revolutionizing sports data analysis by offering unparalleled insights into player and team dynamics. IMU sensors are player tracking devices that collect sports data, which can be analyzed to develop better game plans, player interactions, and strategic decision-making.
IMUs provide valuable data for motion capture systems used in sports like team handball and ice hockey. By precisely tracking an athlete’s movements on the field or court, these systems enable the generation of data-driven (sports) performance metrics.
Coaches, analysts, and broadcasters can use this information to analyze player positioning, evaluate game tactics, and provide engaging visualizations for fans.
COMPETE Vision gives basketball coaches the power to combine your auto-tracking camera with sports data analytics. The tape doesn’t lie. Click the link below for more information:
Best Way To Use Information From IMU Sensors
IMU sensors are becoming more and more common in sports. They’re offering a wealth of opportunities for performance enhancement and analysis. From improving technique to analyzing game strategies, IMUs provide objective and real-time data that shape many facets of the game, including:
- Coaching decisions
- Training programs
- Overall fan experience
Understanding the information that IMU sensors provide can unlock a new realm of possibilities for coaches and trainers who are looking to maximize the performance of their players, and ultimately win more games.
KINEXON Perform IMU Helps Teams Win
KINEXON’s PERFORM IMU draws on state-of-the-art AI (Artificial Intelligence) models. This provides you with the most essential performance and load metrics.
KINEXON’s player tracking technology is relied upon by nearly 80% of NBA franchises and approximately 400 other clubs across various American and European professional men’s and women’s leagues in different sports, including:
- American football
- Soccer
- Ice Hockey
- Volleyball
- Basketball
- Team Handball
- Field Hockey
- Lacrosse
If you’d like to learn more about the products we provide for indoor and outdoor sports (on any level), please contact us at any time. Or download our brochure that will explain what IMU means to sports performance even more.
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