In a press release from January 26, 2009, AvidaSports announced that the University of Michigan men’s and women’s swim teams would be the first college teams to use the AvidaMetrics product. The system brings a broad application of athletic telemetry to swimming with features that could be industry-changing.

What is athletic telemetry?
Telemetry is a technology that allows remote measurement and reporting of information (Wikipedia). In motor racing, it has been instrumental in Formula One racing performance. Measurements like wheel speed, fuel levels, and engine temperature are taken during the race – allowing pit crews to anticipate problems or calculate optimal lap time.

Not unlike Formula One telemetry, the AvidaMetrics system will allow Mike Bottom, coach of the Michigan Wolverines, to measure and record speed, stroke count, distance per stroke, stroke tempo, kick count, kick tempo, and several other variables. From what I read on the AvidaSports website, this information will be available in real time on a slate PC, and can also be reviewed later.

Here is an example of what the coach will see during practice. There’s no slacking when your turn time pops up in red to get the coach’s attention!

What equipment is used?
The system goes way beyond pace clocks and lap counters! The press release mentions that the swimmers will be equipped with ‘personal electronics’ which provide on-deck feedback to the coach via a slate PC. The facility is also outfitted with AvidaMetrics equipment – presumably a wireless transmitter of sorts.

In addition to some sort of tracking device / accelerometer, swimmers will wear ear-buds allowing them to receive immediate voice instructions from the coach.

Check out the AvidaSports website to learn more about the AvidaMetrics system.

In my opinion, fully embracing this technology will give adventurous (well funded) coaches the ability to exponentially increase the amount of data they review during and after practice. Who knows what trends will be uncovered once new variables are recorded over an entire season: A relationship between yardage and turn time? A correlation between stroke rate and previous duel meet performance? From a research point of view, the ability to gather specific individual data over an entire season is a thrilling prospect!

Update! Bill Burnett, VP of Sales for Avidasports, was able to provide some more specific information about this product. In order to transmit data to the receiver, each swimmer wears 4 wireless devices (2 ankles, 2 wrists).

The system is able to differentiate between the 4 strokes automatically. The coach is able to receive live information from the whole team at once. Currently, the system is able to provide feedback for 75 swimmers at one time – but Avidasports hopes to expand that limit to 100 swimmers.

Avidasports is based out of Harper Woods, Michigan. They also have a page on Facebook.