For NBA Rising Star, Training Is All in the Data

[KeepOnRollin]

Training Technology Helps Pinpoint Strengths and Weaknesses

http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304347904579313133772413734

When you've already established yourself as a rising NBA star, it's the small improvements that matter most. At least that's the mantra of Damian Lillard, point guard for the Portland Trail Blazers. With the help of a precise training technology, Mr. Lillard is able to pinpoint his body's strengths and weaknesses.

 

[HailBlazers]

Mr. Lillard and the Blazers new training system

For NBA Rising Star, Training Is All in the Data

This season, the Trail Blazers began using a new biomechanics evaluation system called OptoGait, which uses optical sensors to analyze a person's gait and claims to measure data such as power, balance, speed, acceleration and symmetry to the accuracy of one-thousandth of a second.

With OptoGait, "I can tell little things, like if I'm jumping half a centimeter higher off my right foot," says Mr. Lillard.

The system is particularly useful for safely rehabbing injuries, says Christopher Stackpole, director of player health and performance for the Trail Blazers. At the beginning of the 2013-14 season, Mr. Lillard was working through a left ankle injury. During practice, he would jump in between the OptoGait's two LED sensor strips on the floor, five times on his right leg and five times on his left.

"I could feel that my right leg was more powerful," he says. "The OptoGait let me track that exercise to the point where I was jumping off both legs with equal power."

 

[KeepOnRollin]

Re: Mr. Lillard and the Blazers new training system

Merge? http://sportstwo.com/threads/254914-For-NBA-Rising-Star-Training-Is-All-in-the-Data

 

[Draco]

Re: Mr. Lillard and the Blazers new training system

Interesting. I love the new ideas our team has this year. The training sounds state of the art, instead of old chubby man Medina using his 1983 weight lifting program. But not just the training, the staff is using IPad's while pro football teams still give Manning printouts on the sideline. The surveys McGowen did to understand people don't like unnecessary blaring sounds at games. The team is doing tons of little things the right way and many of the time they go unnoticed. But you can really tell with glimpses here or there the franchise is better run than ever.

 

[jlprk]

Re: Mr. Lillard and the Blazers new training system

Definitely merge. Same ad, I mean, article.

Opto-Gait 5 mentions in the article.