4 Comments

  1. ovanhook

    Grant,
    Absolutely enjoyed your topic! I learned so much about the advantages of implementing those technologies to sports programs. In the past, I’ve been uncomfortable with technology because I feel athletes/coaches rely on it too much versus relying on instincts. I’m guilty of being the coach that harps on practicing like you should play. However, I’ve learned from you that these athletes need breaks. From morning workouts, to practice, to 4-5 games a week can cause lots of strain to the body. It’s important that as coaches, we recognize that and adjust our practices. We are only hurting them by expecting players to preform game-like in every aspect. It’s okay to have a lighter practice after or game.
    Majority of our student athletes are premed majors, which means they are constantly choosing studying over sleep. Recognizing that as a coach can also allow for us to have a shorter practice to ensure time to study for big exams.
    Though our softball budget wouldn’t allow us to buy these types of technologies, I plan on paying more attention to the rest needs of the team.
    Great presentation and article. It’s always nice to learn different techniques from other coaches.

  2. bballesteros

    Grant,
    I liked your topic and presentation. You provided a lot of background on the advantages and disadvantages on the three different forms of technology. I also appreciated how you differentiated between non-contact and contact injuries and focused on non-contact injuries in your PLC. When you presented this, I immediately thought of how much work my students in their respective sports, especially the state championship soccer players. They would practice from 7:30 pm to 10:00 pm – I can’t imagine the stresses that they felt. I’m not saying that they need these technologies, but your presentation gave me an awareness that I needed to have.

  3. rmayhan

    Grant, your paper was very informative. Just as we move through the importance of technology in everyday life and in the classroom, the field of sports should be no less moving in that direction. Yes, baseball, of which we are huge fans, has always had instant replay for years now. But the new technology, I was totally unaware of except for the GPS monitor you spoke about in your presentation earlier. I liked how you compared the advantages and disadvantages of the whoop strap, GPS monitor, and the mouth guard. You wrote that the whoop strap, which is like an Apple watch, is less accurate than the GPS monitor because the GPS monitor is on the chest. However, your research also shows that the whoop strap also can record other data such as sleep rate, mental health through sleep patterns, which as your paper states is an advantage. The mouth guard is specific to detecting concussions. Cost, as you mentioned is also a factor in determining what you all need for your team. As you mentioned, with all the data you all collect, the St. Mary’s soccer team has gone with the GPS monitor. Very informative paper Grant.

  4. jcruz28

    Grant, this topic was very unique as I wasn’t aware that technology can work in such ways to prevent injuries. We’ve always done things the old school way and with this insight, it can be a game-changer for many teams. Injury prevention is so important as I’ve been the athlete who’s always injured. You providing background on three different forms of technology that allowed me to be more open-minded to change. These long hours of practice, the exertion, and stress levels our bodies endure is something we all need to be aware of especially as coaches and your presentation gave the needed awareness.

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