What Does an IMU Sensor Track in Elite Handball?
Handball players move fast and put lots of stress on their bodies. But more coaches are discovering that using the most-used load management system in sports helps to keep them on the court and playing their best for longer periods.
Coaches are finding that IMU systems are needed because of the challenging schedule handball teams play. There are a lot of games played in a short amount of time, which is hard on players’ bodies. So, let’s look at what it is, how it works, and what IMU tracks in elite handball.
KINEXON PERFORM IMU Is The World's First Mobile Player Tracking System for Handball
What is IMU?
IMU refers to a powerful sports technology being used to capture and analyze athletes’ movements.
The IMU sensors are lightweight devices that go where the athletes go. They’re integrated into wearable devices (like a sports vest), which doesn’t interfere with the athletes while they’re playing.
It is like a high-tech version of a coach’s eyes, watching how an athlete moves and performs. They typically consist of:
- Gyroscopes
- Accelerometers
- Magnetometers
The gyroscope is a type of sensor. It can tell how much an object is turning or rotating. It does this by comparing the object’s rotation to a fixed point that doesn’t move (this is what we mean by ‘an inertial reference frame’).
Using an IMU with a gyroscope can tell how much an athlete is moving or turning, and it uses this information to help coaches and trainers understand his or her performance better.
Accelerometers track how fast something is speeding up or slowing down. This change in speed is called acceleration or deceleration.
An accelerometer is like a speedometer that doesn’t just tell you how fast you’re going, but also how quickly you’re getting faster or slower. It’s an especially valuable tool in sports tracking because it can tell you how quickly your athlete is starting or stopping their movements.
Magnetometers measure the magnetic field surrounding the system.
Don't Be Overwhelmed By Data! Start With Three Essential Handball Player Metrics
What Does an IMU Measure?
An IMU system uses position data to calculate metrics like acceleration.
It 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.
What is an IMU Sensor Tracking in Handball?
IMUs are revolutionizing sports technology by providing objective data on an athlete’s movements. In handball, they’re used to track many metrics, including sprinting speeds, jump heights, jump load, accumulated acceleration load, and changes of orientation.
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.
It’s important to note that it does not track positions but only movements and is great for load management.
What’s even better is that you can take your system anywhere you want. Home games, and away games, there is no infrastructure needed to make it work.
KINEXON PERFORM IMU has the ability to track athletes anywhere and at any time. It is an easily portable load management system.
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