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World Archery has been striving toward showcasing the physiological changes in archers during competition through a real-time heart-beat graphic. Over the course of four years, the Swiss company TABRASCO, along with academic researchers, has developed a new device that monitors the athlete’s heartbeatand displays it live on TV to commentators and TV audiences.
The innovation lies in the fact that this tool is non-intrusive: thanks to its diminutive dimensions, the monitor can be placed on any part of the body without interfering with the athlete’s shooting actions. In this instance, the miniature device, which measures only two centimetres, is attached to the archer’s leg, just below the knee. The monitor’s receptors detect the heart rate and transmit the data wirelessly to generate the televised graphics.
Having been tested extensively in stringent laboratory and competition settings, TABRASCO’s heart rate monitor and associated photocardiogrammes will be introduced at the Archery World Cup Final in Tokyo.
The aim of this technology is to make archery events more exciting to viewers. During the shooting sequence, an archer’s heartbeat undergoes important transitions that affect the accuracy of the shot and her resulting performance. With TABRASCO’s technology, the television audience will have access to the athletes’ biometric information through on-screen video graphics and infographics: viewers will be able to simultaneously witness the heartbeat variations and adrenaline rush experienced by the archer’s body. The heartbeat graphics, however, are not going to be shown at the competition venue, in order to prevent athletes from seeing how their rivals are performing.
Beyond improved viewership opportunities, TABRASCO’s technology enables the optimization of long-term sports performance. Coaches and athletes alike will be able to precisely analyse the archer’s biometrics and associated performance under real-stress conditions.
According to Tom DIELEN, the Secretary General of World Archery, “Beyond the additional value for spectators, the athletes can use this data for post-competition analysis: when they shot well, did they have a lower or higher heartbeat?”
Previously, biomechanical experts and physiologists only performed sport movement analyses in laboratory settings. Now, with the miniaturisation of the device coupled with the advances in wireless transmission, it is possible to equip sportspeople in a way that allows experts to gather information in the most specific situation possible, the one that requires 100% dedication and concentration from the athlete: competition.
At the Tokyo World Cup Final, the compound champion Braden GELLENTHIEN (USA) needed a perfect 10 on his last arrow to win the gold medal. “I can’t wait to see how much my heartbeat went up on this last arrow. I know my arm was shaking and my bow was moving. It will be very interesting to discover my actual heart reaction. Tere is no possible comparison between using this device in training and in competition: in training, we're not dealing with nerves like we are in real competition settings.”
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