What Does an IMU Measure 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 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 IMU is, how it works, and what it can track in elite handball.
KINEXON PERFORM IMU Is The World's First Mobile Player Tracking System for Handball
What is IMU?
IMU sensors are lightweight devices used in sports to track an athlete’s movements. It is like a high-tech version of a coach’s eyes, watching how an athlete moves and performs.
They typically consists of:
- Gyroscopes
- Accelerometers
- Magnetometers
The IMU uses a gyroscope, which is a type of sensor. This gyroscope 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 is like having a super-smart watchful eye that can tell how much an athlete is moving or turning, and it uses this information to help coaches and trainers understand the athlete’s performance better.
Accelerometers track how fast something is speeding up or slowing down. This change in speed is called acceleration.
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 us how quickly an athlete is starting or stopping their movements.
Magnetometers measure the magnetic field surrounding the system.
Looking for an easy way to get started tracking handball player metrics? Download our free guide.
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?
In sports and athlete tracking, an IMU player performance tracking system is used to capture and analyze the way an athlete moves during practices and games.
It measures various parameters (metrics), including acceleration, sprints, and decelerations.
The system collects 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 IMU Tracks in Handball
In handball, IMUs are used to track many metrics, including sprinting speeds, jump heights, jump load, accumulated acceleration load, and changes 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.
The sensors are integrated into wearable devices (like a sports vest) can track an athlete’s load management with various metrics, including body position, balance, and joint angles. This type of data provides crucial insights for injury prevention and rehabilitation.
It’s important to note that IMU does not track positions but only movements. It only provides load data but no position data. But you can take your IMU system anywhere you want. Home games, and away games, there is no infrastructure needed to make it work.
IMUs provide valuable data for coaches in many sports. They provide insights, which can be analyzed to develop better game plans, player interactions, and strategic decision-making.
If you’d like to learn more about how the system works, download our case study to find out how IMU is being used in the Dutch Women’s Handball League.
Game-Changing Insights: How a Women’s Handball Team Uses KINEXON PERFORM IMU
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