10Hz
Hertz (Hz) is a unit of frequency defined as the number of cycles per second of a periodic event. A GPS unit that operates at 10Hz updates 10 times per second.
Acceleration
Acceleration is a derivative of velocity. Acceleration can be measured from both GNSS sensors and embedded accelerometers.
Accelerometers
An instrument for measuring acceleration forces. These forces can be static, like the constant force of gravity, or dynamic, caused by moving the accelerometer.
Algorithms
A set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations. Complex calculations embedded into Catapult firmware automate and process data.
Analytics
Using software-based algorithms and statistics to derive meaning from important data. Catapult’s software analytics platform populates and organises unique performance data.
Analytics platform
Software and hardware that provide the tools and computational power needed to build and perform many different analytical queries, using data that quantifies athletic movement.
Application
Software that is designed to perform a specific task or suite of tasks, as demonstrated by OpenField’s cross-platform approach including the iPad, iPhone, watch and laptop
Athlete analytics
The discovery and communication or meaningful patterns in data to quantify and improve performance. By describing and predicting an athlete’s performance, improvements can be applied.
Athlete tracking
The monitoring and quantification of athlete movement and performance with advanced sports technology. Performed with wearable units that transmit data wirelessly in real time to an analytics platform.
Benchmarking
The process of comparing players with oneself, other players, past performances, or predetermined goals. Effective performance enhancement tool to ensure athlete is meeting and surpassing potential. Benchmarking can also be used to identify change in an athlete's performance
Big data
A modern phenomenon based on a collection of data sets so large and complex that it becomes difficult to process using on-hand database management tools or traditional data processing applications.
Biomechanics
The laws of mechanics are applied to gain a greater understanding of athletic performance and to reduce injuries sustained in competition. The muscular, joint and skeletal actions of the body during the execution of a movement.
Change of direction
The act of changing the direction in which an athlete is moving. This movement can be physically demanding in training and matchplay. Measurement of this movement can provide a more holistic view of athletic performance.
ClearSky
Catapult’s revolutionary wearable indoor tracking system, which replicates outdoor satellites by utilising strategically placed anchors (triangulation nodes) around the playing area.
Cloud
Any Internet-based application or service that is hosted remotely. With wireless uploading of data from wearable devices to the OpenField platform, analysis can be conducted remotely within the cloud.
Compare
An important benefit of the Catapult athlete tracking system is the ability to compare athletes, sessions and seasons to ensure players are meeting and exceeding their potential and promoting structured competition.
Computer-generated data
Any data generated by a computer rather than a human. With traditional forms of athlete monitoring based on subjective human observation, OptimEye objectifies data that was previously unobtainable.
Custom reporting
Ability to present the information the user selected, organised in a way that works for the individual. Once a custom report is created, it is available to the user each time the platform is accessed.
Dashboard
Graphical reporting of static or real-time data on a desktop or mobile device. The data is generally graphically represented to give users a quick report on status or performance.
Data
Values of qualitative and quantitative variables belonging to a set of items. An important component of sports by improving performance through measuring and monitoring performance.
Data analysis
The analysis of data is a process of inspecting, cleaning, transforming and modelling data with the goal of highlighting useful information, suggesting conclusions and supporting decision making.
Data collection
The process that captures any form of data, which begins with the real-time collation of data with the precision of a wearable technology device. Data is then synced wirelessly to the OpenField analytics platform.
Data integration
The process of combining data from different sources and presenting it in a single view, as demonstrated with Catapult’s extensive integration capabilities with other sports technologies.
Data management
Comprises all the disciplines related to managing data as a valuable resource. These disciplines range from data governance and security, to architecture, analysis and design.
Database
A digital collection of data and the structure around which the data is organised. The data is typically entered into and accessed via a database management system, in which Catapult is entirely flexible.
Deceleration
The mathematical opposite to acceleration, deceleration is the measurement of an athlete slowing down or stopping. Like acceleration events, deceleration is a physically demanding movement that can be captured to enhance the holistic understanding of training and match-play.
Decision making
The mental processes resulting in the selection of a course of action among several alternative scenarios, and an area Catapult is using its technology to develop applications around.
Distance
A numerical description of how far an athlete has travelled, as measured by a wearable device worn on an athlete’s back. Commonly referenced as volume and used in load monitoring.
Event analytics
Putting contextual information around an ‘event’. Catapult can effectively objectify a movement, play or sequence with data that summarises and measures athletic performance.
Exercise physiology
The study of the acute responses and chronic adaptations to a wide range of physical exercise conditions. An Exercise Physiologist area of study ranges from biochemistry to biomechanics.
Exertion
A concept describing the use of physical or perceived energy, generally as a result of a strenuous or costly effort.
Fatigue
The decline in an athlete’s ability to produce force, generally as a result of a vigorous work rate over an extended period. Can be avoided during competition with athlete monitoring technology and structured periodisation..
Fitness
Specific fitness is an athlete’s ability to perform in a task-oriented activity with efficiency. Traditionally measured during non-specific fitness testing, but with athlete tracking technology can be measured during competition.
Game demands
The physical demands of an individual athlete during competition, as quantified and provided by Catapult’s athlete tracking technology. Data is used to build individualised training programs, monitor load and prescribe work.
Garment
The range of compression tops available with the purchase of Catapult wearable devices. Garments feature a specifically-designed casing for the unit on the player’s back. Worn under the uniform.
GNSS
Multiple constellations of navigational satellites developed to provide precise positional and velocity data.
GNSS Chipset
The GPS chip embedded in microtechnology uses the messages it receives from satellites to determine the transit time of each message and computes the distance to each satellite using the speed of light.
Gyroscopes
A device for measuring orientation based on principles of angular momentum.
Heart rate
Measured in the number of heart beats per minute - can vary as the body’s need to absorb oxygen and excrete carbon dioxide changes. An internal load measured in conjunction Catapult’s external load.
Heart rate bands
Specific predetermined zones of heart rate, which break down the amount of time an athlete spends in each to offer insights on the internal load of the athlete over the course of a session.
High-intensity
A high-intensity movement is one that falls in the upper predetermined band of a parameter, and signifies an athlete working at a very high level. Pre-determined bands can be configured in Catapult’s cloud platform.
Heat Map plots
A graphical representation of an athlete’s movement in the form of heat zones marked out on the field of play to show where the athlete spent the most time
IMA
Inertial Movement Analysis which combines the raw data provided by the accelerometers, gyroscopes and magnetometers inside a Catapult unit to objectify micro-movements.
Inertial sensors
Inertial sensors are embedded in wearable devices include a combination of accelerometers, gyroscopes and magnetometers.
Laboratory
A facility that provides controlled conditions in which scientific research, experiments and measurements are performed. Catapult products are laboratory tested before being implemented with elite teams.
Low-intensity
A low-intensity movement is one that falls in the lower predetermined band of a parameter, and signifies an athlete working at a low level. Pre-determined bands can be configured in Catapult’s cloud platform.
LPS
A Local Positioning System is a positional system that provides location information regardless of weather, environment or an obstructed line of sight. LPS systems are typically installed in stadia and indoor environments..
Magnetometers
A measuring instrument used to measure the strength and direction of magnetic fields. Used within a wearable device as a compass to help understand athlete direction and movement.
Max heart rate
The highest recorded heart rate an individual has achieved within a training session, match-play, or laboratory based test.
Metadata
Metadata is a set of data that describes and gives information on other data. Metadata can be descriptive, structural and administrative.
Micro-movements
A very small movement that typically can not be measured using GNSS, but rather requires the use of inertial sensors. Examples include change of direction, accelerations, decelerations, jumps.
Motion capture
The process of recording the movement of athletes, as used in the testing and validation stage of Catapult technology. Motion capture recordings are generally done in a laboratory to control the testing and used as a reference for wearable devices.
Over training
A physical condition that occurs over an extended period of time when the volume and intensity of an individual’s exercise exceeds their recovery capacity.
Performance analyst
An individual that uses various technologies to record and monitor athlete and team performance with the intention of using objective data to improve future performance..
Period
A user-defined segment of time, which combined with other periods make up a session.
Periodisation
An organised approach to training programs that balances ‘training effect’ against fatigue and risk of injury. A predetermined plan to ensure athletes peak at the right time.
Player movement
As well as objectively capturing information on external and internal loads, Catapult displays player movement with 2D animations within its OpenField software platform.
Player profile
Comprehensive accounts of individual player history. Important tool in athlete monitoring, similar to benchmarking.
Player Load
Developed in conjunction with the Australian Institute of Sport, Player Load calculates information from accelerometers in one number to explain the workload of an athlete.
Positional demands
Using data provided by Catapult’s athlete tracking technology to understand the demands of players in various positions, with the idea of training each athlete depending on their positional demands in competition.
Quantification
The act of counting and measuring something. Produces a data set that then allows for the exploration of data.
Real time
A descriptor of events, data streams, or processes that have an action performed on them as they occur. Being able to monitor athletic performance with objective data as it happens.
Reliability
The ability to measure the same thing consistently either between tools (E.g. wearable device), or within tools. Catapult wearable devices are thoroughly tested for reliability using field and laboratory experiments.
RHIE
Repeat High Intensity Efforts provide the ability to identify periods where athletes have put in repeated ‘high intensity’ efforts without adequate recovery. Ability to pinpoint fatigue-causing events. These RHIE events are customisable within Catapult’s cloud platform.
Satellites
Every satellite sends messages to GPS chipsets that are embedded in wearable technology. Satellites provide information time and position, and GPS chipsets compute that into information that is useful for analysts and coaches (E.g. position and velocity).
Sessions
An extended time frame made up of periods that can be either a game, practice or training session.
Speed bands
Up to eight user-defined bands that can provide information on breakdown of walking, jogging, sprinting etc. Information can be displayed as events in each band, time spent in each band, and the distance covered in each band.
Statistics
The study of the collection, organisation, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of data. Catapult takes this process a step further by analysing parameters that were previously unobtainable.
Under training
A physical condition that occurs over an extended period of time when the volume and intensity of an individual’s exercise may not meet their prescribed capacity.
Validation
The assessment of accuracy of a tool (E.g. wearable device) compared to a known, or gold standard measurement. Catapult prides itself on having the most valid technology in the market.
Velocity
The rate of change of the position of an athlete. Velocity describes how fast an athlete is moving. GNSS calculates velocity via doppler shift. LPS calculates velocity via positional differentiation.
Video sync
As part of its integration with other technologies, all data provided by Catapult can be synced with game or practice footage to give context to the athlete analytics information as it happens.
Wearable technology
Devices incorporating an inbuilt processor and advanced electronic technologies that are worn on the body unobtrusively.
Wireless
The ability to transfer information wirelessly to software platforms.
Workload
The total energy output of an athlete during competition. An important piece of information for understanding athlete wellbeing, and purely subjective without athlete tracking technology.