Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Big Data algorithm and analytics in professional sports

Professional sports are going through a reformation by using technology and adapting sensor technology to it's development in order to obtain the largest set of data as possible. This set of data would bring competitive advantage to the team that adopts it well. Professional teams in the National Football League (NFL), National Basketball Association (NBA) and the English Premier League are using this technology and achieving great results as well as improving their learning curve regarding the topic. 

USA Professional Teams Logo

Big data in sports is relatively new, but now a days some professional teams are taking advantage of it. The Baltimore Ravens of the NFL is a clear example on how big data might be used in order to win a really competitive championship. The Raven's have won the Super Bowl XLVII by being able to prevent injuries, performance optimization, advanced scouting by usage of big data analysis. By having a large set of data available, it is easier to predict trends and patterns that at first sight are not easy to perceive.These set of data provides a competitive advantage that helps differentiate the good from the best. 

Baltimore Ravens Superbowl XLVII

Adidas have developed the MiCoach technology that helps you track your performance with the addition of an intelligent chip to a soccer boot in the case of soccer. It helps to improve performance on professional and amateur players with a really user friendly software. This chip lets you track the distance that the player moved on the pitch, how many sprints where taken, the active time, the maximum speed achieved. The data can be compiled in a historical trend in order to see evolution. By having access to these set of data players and coaches can focus in the weakness and work on improvements. It is a great way on comparing physical activity and capacity of players from the whole squad. The way on how trainings should be conducted could be modified accordingly to the necessity of the squad. 


Big data is playing and will play an extremely important role in the future of sports. Do not let the lack of technology bring your A-game down, take advantage of it and start boosting your performance and train like a champion.

"I hated every minute of training, but I said, "Don't quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion". (Muhammad Ali)




2 comments:

  1. Really interesting! I only knew they use this chips to monitor runners on marathons. Do you know if they use this kind of Tech in European Soccer (Champions League, La Liga, etc.)?

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    1. Daniela, thank you very much for your input. Actually this chip has been used in all the sports since this chip has been out in the market. Teams such as the Tottenham hotspur in the English Premier League are using this technology in order to improve their level of competitiveness.

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