40B – Report from Sports Biometrics Conference

TL;DR

Insights from the Sports Biometrics Conference on technology, privacy, and sports science.

Transcript

Today on the Perception and Action podcast, a look at the Sports Biometrics Conference which was held in San Francisco from November 13th through the 15th, 2016. So, it's time for a call to action. Hi everyone, this is Rob Gray from Arizona State University and perceptionaction.com. Welcome to the perception and action podcast where I discuss how p... Read More

Key Insights

• Eric Hayen, a keynote speaker, highlighted the evolution of sports science, emphasizing the importance of diverse training and deliberate practice.
• Ron Habluck discussed the disconnect between sports scientists and practitioners, citing misuse of terminology and lack of communication as major issues.
• The conference highlighted privacy concerns with wearable technology, particularly regarding data use in contract negotiations and athlete monitoring.
• Jeff Passan expressed skepticism about solving arm injuries with simple metrics, emphasizing the multivariate nature of sports injuries.
• Panel discussions focused on the future of wearable technology, with privacy and data ownership being key concerns for 2017.
• Peter Fatty presented findings on occlusion training and the limited transfer effects from playing Guitar Hero to actual guitar playing.
• The conference underscored the need for validity tests in sports analytics and the importance of presenting research in an applicable manner.
• A recurring theme was the potential societal impact of sports technology innovations beyond the sports industry.

Questions & Answers

Q: What was Eric Hayen's main message at the conference?

Eric Hayen emphasized the evolution of sports science during his athletic career, highlighting the importance of diverse training and deliberate practice. He shared his experiences with early sports science innovations, such as access to physiology labs and periodization of training, which were groundbreaking at the time. Hayen also stressed the shift towards purposeful practice, where each session had a specific goal, aligning with the concept of deliberate practice.

Q: What issues did Ron Habluck identify between sports scientists and practitioners?

Ron Habluck identified several issues causing a disconnect between sports scientists and practitioners. These included the misuse of scientific terminology, lack of adherence to the scientific method, and poor communication. He provided examples, such as the misinterpretation of strength in swimming, and emphasized the need for better collaboration and understanding between scientists and those applying the research in the field.

Q: What were the privacy concerns discussed regarding wearable technology?

Privacy concerns regarding wearable technology were a significant topic at the conference. Discussions focused on the invasiveness of these devices and the potential misuse of collected data, particularly in contract negotiations. There was also concern about monitoring athletes outside team environments and the implications of data ownership. The need for clear policies and regulations to address these issues was emphasized by multiple speakers.

Q: What skepticism did Jeff Passan express about sports injury solutions?

Jeff Passan expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of simple wearables and basic metrics in solving complex sports injury issues, such as arm injuries in baseball. He argued that these problems are multivariate and cannot be addressed solely through technology. Passan advocated for a more comprehensive approach that considers the various factors contributing to injuries, rather than relying on simplistic solutions.

Q: What was discussed about the future of wearable technology?

The future of wearable technology was discussed extensively, with a focus on privacy and data ownership. Panelists predicted that 2017 would be pivotal for developing policies related to sensor use in sports. There was interest in advancements like Athos's surface EMG sensors, but concerns about who controls the data collected and how it is used were paramount. The need for industry-wide standards and regulations was a recurring theme.

Q: What were the findings of Peter Fatty's presentation on occlusion training?

Peter Fatty presented data on occlusion training in baseball, highlighting its potential benefits. He also shared findings from a study on Guitar Hero, which showed that while the game improved music perception, it did not translate to actual guitar playing skills. This emphasized the importance of understanding the limits of training transfer and the need for targeted practice strategies in sports training.

Q: What were the main themes of the Sports Biometrics Conference?

The main themes of the Sports Biometrics Conference included the evolution of sports science, privacy concerns with wearable technology, and the disconnect between researchers and practitioners. Discussions emphasized the need for valid analytics, applicable research dissemination, and the potential societal impact of sports technology innovations. The conference highlighted the importance of diverse training, deliberate practice, and comprehensive approaches to sports-related issues.

Q: How did the conference address the issue of data validity in sports analytics?

The conference addressed data validity in sports analytics by emphasizing the need for rigorous validity tests of different measures used in sports science. Speakers highlighted the importance of ensuring that data collected through various technologies is accurate and reliable. There was a call for researchers to present their findings in a way that is applicable and useful to practitioners, bridging the gap between academic research and real-world application.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The Sports Biometrics Conference in San Francisco highlighted the evolving intersection of technology and sports science. Key themes included the importance of diverse training, privacy concerns with wearables, and the disconnect between researchers and practitioners. Discussions emphasized the need for applicable research and the societal potential of sports technology innovations.

• Eric Hayen, a keynote speaker, discussed the progression of sports science from his athletic career, emphasizing deliberate practice and diverse training. Ron Habluck addressed the communication gap between scientists and practitioners, while privacy and data ownership emerged as major concerns in wearable technology discussions.

• The conference featured discussions on the limitations of simple metrics in addressing sports injuries, with Jeff Passan highlighting the complexity of multivariate problems. Panelists explored the future of wearable technology, stressing the importance of privacy policies. The event underscored the need for valid analytics and applicable research dissemination.