Atlanta, Georgia Feb 6, 2020 (Issuewire.com) - Increased demand for data-generating systems theoretically benefits athlete development, fan experiences, and brand intelligence across the sport. GPS data from wearable devices is now a common low-cost measuring and monitoring tool promising to help teams, trainers, coaches, scouts, and athletes quantify training and performance. However, in a recent sports technology survey, sports professionals claim to be unqualified and too risk-averse to buy such technologies.
The education announcement this morning will help championship teams, national leagues and global federations, carry less of a burden regarding the influx of software, video, sensors, and devices in sport. The new GPS technology course was designed to clear the air between wearable sellers and buyers by educating about GPS data and its impact on athlete well-being or high-performance goals.
Sean Kupiec, President at Professional Soccer Athletic Trainers’ Society, described their membership organization’s involvement, “PSATS serves to encourage and promote the consistent application of the most advanced knowledge and techniques in the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of sports injuries in professional soccer players.” Kupiec went on to explain, “We seek to foster education and provide our members with current ideas, techniques and scientific data relating to these athletic training pillars and this new GPS course represent our determination to enhance understanding of one of the most prevalent pieces of performance technology in our sport.” He is also the Head Athletic Trainer at Major League Soccer’s (MLS) Los Angeles FC.
The recently released “GPS Technology In Soccer” course was supported by numerous PSATS affiliated High Performance Directors and Head Athletic Trainers across Major League Soccer. Ron Shinault, Head Athletic Trainer with the U.S. Men’s National Team appears in the free introduction preview; Skylar Richards, Director of Sports Performance at MLS’ Orlando City supported the project initiation; while the course was created and written by Tanya Porter, a well-recognized Olympic-level Sports Technologist. She is also VP and Executive Director at the International Sports Technology Association.
Porter responded to the GPS course launch by saying, “Coaches rely on performance staff to collect and analyze athlete data to enhance their athlete development. Team’s performance staff are asked to monitor and analyze that data, but no one is motivated to keep up with rapidly evolving technologies, to learn how the data will be applied in this realm. A new Sports Technologist role is emerging and our 'GPS Technology in Soccer' course represents the beginning of a recognized professional sports technology certification.” Porter is a veteran sports technologist with decades of experience working with athletes, coaches, trainers and technology companies. She has been instrumental in securing provider credentials from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) and submitted a recent provider application at the National Athletic Trainers Association (NATA).
The non-evidence-based GPS sports technology course consists of fourteen modules, with a short quiz after each video. The approved certificate issued upon completion provides proof of basic understanding in GPS technology utilization for athlete development.
Topics discussed in the course include why GPS monitoring technology is important, utilizing GPS monitoring in soccer, insights about GPS data collection, variables that can be analyzed, utilization challenges and much more. Enrollees learn from PSATS performance experts working in teams like Dallas FC, New York Red Bulls, San Jose Quakes, Los Angeles FC, and others.
See the course here: www.sportstechedu.com
About PSATS
Professional Soccer Athletic Trainers' Society (PSATS) is an organization made up of active Certified Athletic Trainer's, Certified Strength Coaches, and Canadian Athletic Therapist that currently work in Major League Soccer. Individually these men and women care for the health and safety of the players for the 22 teams. Collectively this group strives to reduce the incidence of injury, learn new techniques in the field, reduce time lost due to injury, increase performance and recovery on and off the field. To unite, develop standards of practice, and to have a unified voice to our professional teams and Major League Soccer. PSATS mission is to unite, develop standards of practice, and to have a unified voice to our professional teams and Major League Soccer.
About ISTA
The International Sports Technology Association (ISTA) is the professional industry organization lobbying for technology education and professional skills qualification. The association works with institutions and vendors to create instructional content, host existing training resources, or manage support services. ISTA centralizes technical product education in a publicly accessible online catalogue. The sports technology association and its educational institute are powered by global volunteers interested in solving academic or business challenges that support a vibrant healthy sports technology ecosystem.
Media Contact
International Sports Technology Association info@istassociation.com http://www.istassociation.com
