Technology in Sports: How an Inertial Measurement Unit Helps Improve Performance
Author: Dave Grendzynski
Innovation plays a pivotal role in sports technology. One such innovation that is revolutinizing the sporting landscape is the IMU, or Inertial Measurement Unit.
Let’s dig into the definition of IMU, explore its impact on our games and find out how it is changing the way many sports are played.
One popular kind of wearable sensor is called an inertial measurement unit (IMU). They’re equipped with tiny sensors like gyroscopes, accelerometers, and magnetometers.
These devices are a game-changer for researchers studying how our bodies move in sports. Whether they’re simple or fancy, most of these wearables have at least one accelerometer and gyroscope, helping us learn a lot about biomechanics in sports.
What is IMU?
IMU refers to a powerful sports technology being used to capture and analyze athletes’ movements.
It consists of a combination of player tracking sensors and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) that work in unison to measure various parameters, including:
- Acceleration
- Sprints
- Decelerations
The IMU sensor 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. IMU does not track positions but only movements. It only provides load data but no position data!
In fact, Furman University’s Men’s Basketball team uses this type of technology. It helped propel them to a Southern Conference championship and a first-round upset of Virginia in the NCAA Tournament. You can watch their story below.
IMU is a Reliable Technology in Sports
IMUs have revolutionized sports technology by providing objective data on an athlete’s movements. In sports like athletics, basketball, and football, IMUs are used to track many metrics, including:
- Sprinting speeds
- Jump heights
- Change 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. IMUs are also used in sports like volleyball and basketball.
IMU sensors are integrated into wearable devices can track an athlete’s load management with various metrics, including:
- Body position
- Balance
- Joint angles
This type of data provides crucial insights for injury prevention and rehabilitation.
Advancements in Sports Technology Continue
In addition to performance enhancement, IMUs are revolutionizing sports data analysis by offering unparalleled insights into player and team dynamics. IMU sensors are player tracking devices that collect sports data, which can be analyzed to develop better game plans, player interactions, and strategic decision-making.
IMUs provide valuable data for motion capture systems used in sports like team handball and ice hockey. By precisely tracking an athlete’s movements on the field or court, these systems enable the generation of data-driven (sports) performance metrics.
Coaches, analysts, and broadcasters can use this information to analyze player positioning, evaluate game tactics, and provide engaging visualizations for fans.
COMPETE Vision gives basketball coaches the power to combine your auto-tracking camera with sports data analytics. The tape doesn’t lie. Click the link below for more information:
Best Way To Use Information From IMU Sensors
IMU sensors are becoming more and more common in sports. They’re offering a wealth of opportunities for performance enhancement and analysis. From improving technique to analyzing game strategies, IMUs provide objective and real-time data that shape many facets of the game, including:
- Coaching decisions
- Training programs
- Overall fan experience
Understanding the information that IMU sensors provide can unlock a new realm of possibilities for coaches and trainers who are looking to maximize the performance of their players, and ultimately win more games.
KINEXON Perform IMU Helps Teams Win
KINEXON’s PERFORM IMU draws on state-of-the-art AI (Artificial Intelligence) models. This provides you with the most essential performance and load metrics.
KINEXON’s player tracking technology is relied upon by nearly 80% of NBA franchises and approximately 400 other clubs across various American and European professional men’s and women’s leagues in different sports, including:
- American football
- Soccer
- Ice Hockey
- Volleyball
- Basketball
- Team Handball
- Field Hockey
- Lacrosse
If you’d like to learn more about the products we provide for indoor and outdoor sports (on any level), please contact us at any time. Or download our brochure that will explain what IMU means to sports performance even more.
More stories
How Analytics Can Help Improve Collegiate Football Workouts
The offseason is a crucial time for college football players to improve their skills, strength, and conditioning. But how do you put together a training program that is as efficient as it is effective? Here’s a surefire way to start.
Researchers Uncover the Power of Plyometric Workouts for Elite Handball Players
A group of researchers set out to assess the impact Plyometric training might have on improving vertical jumps (and other performance metrics) of handball players at the elite or national level. Here’s what they learned.
Data-Driven Approach Fuels Coach’s Return-to-Play Protocol!
Injury recovery is a critical aspect of sports, and it’s where data can make a significant impact. As Rik van Waes, the Head Strength and Conditioning for the Heroes Den Bosch professional basketball team, puts it, “Returning to play after an injury is one of the major things that data can contribute to.”
REWE Final4 Breaks New Ground with Cutting-Edge Handball
Each year, thousands of handball fans converge at the REWE Final4, while millions tune in from home. Alongside the Handball Bundesliga, it doesn’t get much bigger than this. Except this year.
Study Reveals: Olympic-Based Strength Training Enhances Handball Skills!
Imagine the power and agility of an Olympic athlete combined with the strength and endurance of a handball player. That’s exactly what a recent study set out to explore. The goal? To unlock new levels of performance for women handball players.
What's Still Missing on The Journey to Equality for Women Athletes?
Researchers from the Bundesliga club, TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, are conducting a study on the influence of the menstrual cycle on the performance of women athletes. Dr. Sascha Härtel and Dr. Ludwig Ruf shared insights into the research, and talked about what is still needed.
Study Reveals the Most Popular Shot EuroLeague Basketball Players Take
Sports analytics and data-driven forecasting play crucial roles in European basketball. Researchers are trying to identify essential performance metrics and effective coaching strategies. What they’re finding is that one type of shot is more popular than the rest.
Why Underloaded EuroLeague Basketball Players Still Need Data
As Head of Performance at Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, Kostas Chatzichristos knows basketball analytics. He explains why coaches need to collect data on all players — even the ones who aren’t getting minutes.
What a UL Experiment Revealed About Merging Live GPS Data and Recovery Tech
In football, recovery is as important as training. Recently, the sports medicine staff from the University of Louisiana conducted an experiment to gauge the impact Firefly Recovery Devices may have on a player’s recovery with the help of live data from KINEXON Sports.
How Basketball Coaches Can Use Sports Video Analysis Software
Basketball coaches and players strive to understand the intricacies of each shot. But using a video analysis software, that doubles as basketball shot tracking app, promises to be the Holy Grail for those seeking comprehensive insights.
What Are The Volleyball Metrics That Matter Most to Coaches?
Volleyball positions require speed, agility, power, and precision. But how do you know if your team is performing at its best? How do you measure your progress and identify your strengths and weaknesses? This is where player metrics and analytics come in.
Why Evansville University’s Sports Performance Coach Dislikes Backpedaling
How can players optimize their performance and avoid wasting steps on the court? That’s the question Jeremy Portillo, the sports performance coach for Evansville University men’s basketball team, was asked on a recent episode of “The Extra Edge” podcast. He gave a jaw-dropping answer.
Athletic Performance: Why is it Important to Understand and Track Acceleration?
Athletic ability is often associated with an athlete’s explosive speed and acceleration. That’s why acceleration is often called one of the cornerstones of excellence in athletic performance. But did you know that it can be improved with the right tools and training methods?
How UAB's Strength Coach Sold Football Analytics to His Head Coach
Author: Dave Grendzynski
Lyle Henley, the Director of Sport Performance for the University of Alabama Birmingham. football team. He’s a strong advocate for sports data. He shares his story of how he sold his old school head coach, Trent Dilfer, on the idea of using data.
What Kind of Live Data Can an LPS System Provide Fans During an American Football Game?
Coaches, players, media, and fans crave real-time insights to enhance performance, strategy, and engagement in American Football. Now, LPS technology is providing just that. Giving everyone in the stands, and watching at home, a view of the game they have never seen before.