NFL And GPS Tracking

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

Teams in the NFL are really making strides these days to practice differently than the rest of the league in an attempt to set themselves apart through better performance. Not only are they incorporating different types of work out regiments, like Crossfit, to get their players into shape but they are also incorporating modern technology into their workouts as well.

Now, you may think they are only logging times played in games or on the practice field. And we are all aware of the normal statistics that the NFL tracks being big factors considered when players get their starting slots, but with the help of a few small GPS trackers installed in the players jerseys these teams are taking stats to a whole new level.

Catapult

Catapult Company, is the manufacturer of a small GPS tracking device that sports teams around the world are beginning to integrate, not only into their practices, but also in the actual games. A small device in inserted into a pocket that has been sewn into the player’s jersey, this device is used to measure all types of criteria to help measure output from the player as well as g-forces. 

The equipment managers and trainers for these teams will gather a lot of extra information from the tracking devices that would be very difficult to gather any other way. They will be able to measure the exact amount of time on the field, practicing and playing. The intensity from the players while they are playing, through their speed and how many G’s they pull when stopping, starting and cornering (or cutting) across the field. Of course the amount of G’s that are created when a hit is laid on another player is also tracked. I can see this information being very important with the new concern of players and head injuries.

Preventing Injuries

As we mentioned the amount of head injuries has gone up a lot over the past few years in the NFL. Not only have the head injuries gone up but also have the amount of other injuries. Teams are hoping to use these tracking devices to help assess when a player has played too much, and may be in need of rest. These Catapult devices relay the necessary information to a server that takes it all in and then gives out a performance number for each player. These numbers range from 300 to 400 and are based on their activity, so the more they play and the faster they run, or hit, the higher the number. Team managers are taking these numbers and giving them to the coaching staff so that they may then decide if a player is approaching the point that they may be more easily injured. If a player has practiced and played at a level of 400 4 days in a row that may not be a good thing for his body, at this time they can pull a player from practice or they can make sure they are practicing at half speed to prevent injury. Essentially the teams are preserving players for game time and hopefully for many more years to come.

SUGGESTED: The Business of Sports [INFOGRAPHIC]

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*by andreascy*

The SAS League - Part of the History of the Danish Super League

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

The Danish Football Association is the one who administers Denmark’s football championship that is currently called the Super League. The Super League is quite popular mainly because the people of Denmark love football and show enormous interest in this championship. There are also other football leagues in Denmark, but the Super League is the biggest and most popular one. The number of participating teams is 12 each year and out of the twelve participating teams the last two lose their places in the championship.

The Super League has long history and has seen a lot of development over the past few years. The league was first formed back in 1991. Soon it became the highest football championship in Denmark. At first, the number of participating teams was just 10. The games started during the spring. Each pair of teams played two times. This resulted in two teams getting cut off. Then the games continued with eight teams and the result was another two teams being cut off. That was the pattern of the championship in the beginning. In 1995 the number of teams that participated in the tournament was increased to 12. Moreover, sports sponsorships became really common.

At first, the league changed its name to Cola League because it was sponsored by the Coca-Cola company. In 2001, the Scandinavian Airlines became the sponsor of the Danish football league and so it was called the SAS league (as the Danes say SAS Ligaen). The SAS league existed for nine years. It became the Super League once again in 2010. However, many people still call the Danish football league the SAS league because of the long period of sponsorship. It has been two years since the championship got its original name back, but this sponsorship has not been forgotten quite yet. 

The period during which the league went by the name SAS league as well as the past few years has been crucial for the recognition of this championship. The league got a lot more popular during these years and the audience increased. New stadiums were built in order to handle the fans that came to watch the matches. The rank of the league has improved quite a lot, too. 

There are many great football players that currently play for the teams participating in the major Danish championship. The former SAS league is way better than most of the Scandinavian leagues and this can be seen by a simple comparison of the players they attract. Eric Djemba who used to play for Manchester United now participates in this championship. There are many other great players, too. That attracts the attention of the audience and makes the games a lot more popular.

YOU MIGHT LIKE: NFL And GPS Tracking

Even for a country which loves football, the games of the Danish Super League get quite big audiences. The Danish football league is recognized in Europe and is one of the major leagues on the continent because of the great developments over the past few years.

*by andreascy*

Places We Would Love to Have WiFi

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description : 

How many times have you been sat somewhere and thought ‘I wish I had WiFi here?' One of the most frustrating aspects of technology is the limits placed before us. Sometimes WiFi is available but is unusable.  

Hot spots are starting to become more widespread, so the potential is certainly growing. Here are some of the places I would love to have WiFi:

On the bus / At the Bus Stop

Sometimes I think I have spent half of my life waiting for a bus. Then, naturally, three come together at once! The electronic timetable can be dysfunctional at best. The ability to surf whilst waiting for a bus would certainly make the experience less painful. Having access to an online, real time timetable would certainly be an advantage also.

Then, when you board the bus, your journey can be a long one. What better way to kill time than to surf on your smart phone/iPad?

Doctors / Dentist Surgery

The dreaded wait to visit a Doctor or Surgeon can be a harrowing one. Nerves get frayed as the noise of the surgery can give you a headache before you have even been seen.

The ability to surf whilst you are waiting would help with tension and boredom. With the numerous posters on display in surgeries, regarding abusive behavior towards staff, I am surprised that they have not considered utilizing WiFi, in an effort to help alleviate tension and assist in making the wait a more pleasant one.

Hospital

The last time I was in a hospital, the WiFi (which I had paid for) was abysmal. Using the system in place by the hospital, I attempted to upload a photograph. After the fourth attempt I gave up.

Hospital stays can be lengthy. Even the time waiting for a doctor to release you, can be a long arduous wait. Access to free, competent WiFi would most certainly help pass the time.

Shopping Center

The ability to access the internet at a shopping center is beginning to become popular. This service is very often limited to food areas or promotional areas.

I personally (perhaps because I am spoiled), do not want my access to be limited. If I want to surf the internet in the public toilets, I at least want the option to be available to me.

Football Stadiums

You have arrived at the match with plenty of time to spare. You have avoided the dreaded, inevitable queues. You have your seat, your program, and now you have some time to kill. The internet is the logical way to pass that time.

During the match you’d like to post some pictures of the football/your friends to your social networking site. You’d also like to check the scores of other football matches that are being held at that time, which you are missing because you are at this match.

WiFi access would be highly welcomed in a football stadium for many reasons. As yet, this is not currently broadly available.

Conclusion

WiFi hot spots are fast approaching many areas. Hopefully, these areas will extend to not only relieving boredom, but also to assist in alleviating tension, in areas where tempers can flare, making the experience a more pleasant one.

YOU WILL LOVE THIS TOO: Tips For Making Your Garden An Internet Hot Spot

Looking forward to hearing what you think.

*by andreascy*

FIFA looking into the future of health

Posted by Andreas Christodoulou

Description :

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter and FIFA Chief Medical Officer Jiri Dvorak announced a forward-looking partnership with ETH Technical University at Zurich that will focus on maintaining player health. 

Blatter officially endowed a Chair in Cartilage Regeneration at the school and also discussed the sudden death of 25-year-old Italian player Piermario Morosini.

Check out the video on :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1ZRghQKKUQ&feature=g-all-u&context=G253944cFAAAAAAAAaAA

More of FIFA's Training and health videos on :

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2333815695D8E22B

Further information about FIFA's commitment to player health :

http://www.fifa.com/aboutfifa/footballdevelopment/medical/playershealth/index.html

*by andreascy*