Big Data and Boxing Part 2 Sports Analytics
Big Data and Boxing: Part 2 Sports Analytics Spring 2015 Richard Chen
Existing wearable technologies �Punchforce Owned by HBO A sensory-based system that was tested hundreds of times but never made it to broadcast. Was going to be used in a Pacquiao match back in 2012, but never fell through; not clear why
Head-injury detecting tech �FITguard Launched by Force Impact Technologies A head injury awareness mouthguard designed for youth athletes Contains motion sensors that can detect serious impacts and trigger an illuminated strip on the front of the guard to indicate whether the impact was at a safe level.
Head-injury detecting tech �Checklight Recently developed by Reebok and mc 10 (wearable tech company) It is a piece of headgear that fits under the helmet of NFL players and flashes red or yellow to alert coaches to the fact that a significant impact has occurred.
One big obstacle �Although wearable tech devices can be used in countries like Australia, FIFA doesn’t allow their use in competitive football games nor does the NFL or the NBA. �It requires a long testing process and getting the approval from the state, as well as the athletes, to use these technologies
Case Study: Striketec � A very big step occurred for wearable technologies and big data for boxing this past Saturday � BKB (Big Knockout Boxing) inserted in-glove sensor technology to their fighters gloves for the first BKB event since its comeback BKB is a combat sport brand developed and owned by Direct. TV. The sport is similar to boxing but does not use a ring, ropes, corners and three minute rounds https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=BZg. Ypsh. Wlhs � Inserted Striketec into the gloves of 18 pugilists fighting in the first BKB event
How Strike. Tec works � Was a kickstarter project � Comes as a wrist band small sensors that are wrapped in the gloves of the fighter � These sensors are used to track and calculate the punch data � Like other wearable’s it sends the live data to a smartphone app with a cloud server facility to store data � Example: https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=giklrp. Uv 8 S 0
What Strike. Tec tracks
What Strike. Tec does not track � Heartrate � How close fighters are to serious injury � Perspiration measurements/water loss � in short, there’s no data collected aimed to protect the fighters � One big issue… In the context of BKB, Strike. Tec is used more as a tool for encouraging more knockouts than a tool that helps prevent serious injury for the fighters This should not be the goal of wearable technology and big data
Where go from here? � Though we finally got to wearable technology being used and big data making its debut in combat sports, there was little to no injury prevention data involved � Other ideas that combat sports like boxing can look into: Mouthguard like the FITguard E-textiles for detecting heart rate and water loss Shoes (detect how active, how much energy spent, wasted, etc. )
References � � Recently being implemented into live boxing matches http: //www. popularmechanics. com/adventure/sports/a 14919/boxing-gloves-sensors-data/ � � Further explanation of the Striketec glove sensor technology and what it measures http: //thewearablenews. com/striketec-wearable-tracks-punch-speed-force-boxing/ � � Video that shows Striketec at work https: //www. youtube. com/watch? v=giklrp. Uv 8 S 0 � � Information on the Big Knockout Boxing (“The Pit”) and Strike. Tec debut http: //www. sporttechie. com/2015/04/04/directv-big-knockout-boxing-deliver-high-tech-jab/ � � Good article on wearable technology and injury prevention (what’s already out there) http: //www. computerweekly. com/feature/Wearable-technology-will-up-the-game-for-sportsdata-analytics � � How wearables will change the future of sports http: //www. usatoday. com/story/tech/2015/03/20/how-wearable-technology-will-shape-thefuture-of-sports-mike-bell-intel/25079157/
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