Giving Athletes Control Over Their Own Careers

Guest Author Bio: Siddhant is an athlete and a sports enthusiast who writes sports-related content at sportingwhizz.com

We’re well aware of how advanced our world has gotten in terms of data collection and technology. In the past, athletes didn't have access to the technology we have today. They couldn't collect or keep track of data about their own performance in an effective manner. But now they can.

Quite easily, in fact.

Whether that be keeping an eye on your sleep or tracking your performance on the field, collecting data has never been easier. GPS, video analytics, and performance metrics are a few of the numerous technologies available to record athlete data today.

And if we have such advanced technology in the present age, why not use that to fuel the improvement of athletes? If we are able to collect and analyze every piece of information, every statistic, and every detail about an athlete, why not utilize the data to help them become the best version of themselves? Why not provide them access to their own data so that they think for themselves and make the necessary adjustments?

Why not give athletes control over their own careers?

Why Do I Think It’s Important?

As an athlete myself, the sound of having access to your data at your fingertips makes me excited. Especially if I’m able to use that information to become a better athlete, I’m all for it. Before sophisticated technology like GPS trackers and apps like Breakaway came into the scene, most athletes were unaware of using their own data to accelerate their development.

Instead, players used to rely solely on other people to make the decisions for them. Coaches and trainers would gather data from training sessions and games, using it to design training programs and offer advice on things like nutrition and recovery.

In fact, that’s how I grew up playing football. We had training sessions and gym workouts regularly but everyone was told to follow the same exercises, the same routines.

There was no variation in training and our coaches didn’t make personalized workout routines for each player separately. I don’t blame them either. We had over 30 players in the academy and it would have been too much work for the coaches to analyze each player’s performance and then prepare personalized routines for each one of us.

Moreover, the coaches had no idea whatsoever about the hours of sleep that we were getting and what our diet looked like. Some of us who were serious about taking care of our bodies would go the extra mile keeping track of our sleep and diet. However, most of us, being students, rarely had enough time to keep track of those things.

I remember how our coaches used to frequently give nutrition advice to us but the problem was that their advice was too vague and generic. I was particularly skinny back then, and my coach used to always tell me to add 2 plates of chickpeas and 3 eggs to my daily diet. [Growing up in Nepal, chickpeas were a popular food choice among athletes]. He said the same for other skinny players as well. I agreed and I stuck to that for the next 3-4 months but I didn’t see any increase in my weight. Not even half a pound.

As a 16-year-old ectomorph, I had a high metabolism which meant that I burned more calories at rest and during activity. Moreover, training for 2 hours each day for 6 days a week didn’t help either. I was burning more calories than I was consuming. To actually gain weight, adding 2 plates of chickpeas and 3 eggs to my diet wouldn’t suffice for me. Maybe, 4 plates and 5 eggs would’ve helped. I don’t know.

My point is, the coaches couldn’t accurately give advice to me that actually worked. It was because they weren’t focused on collecting my information in regard to my diet and exercise. If someone told me how important it was to keep track of my own calories, then that was the thing I would have focused on.

Yes, my coach’s advice may have worked for other players looking to add size, but for me, it didn’t. Instead, if I was told to track my calories every single day and to progressively overload my calories every week, that would’ve gotten me the actual results. Because, ultimately, I would have reached a point where I would’ve consumed more calories than I burned.

Through that experience, I realized that relying on statistics and data is crucial for making smart athletic decisions, rather than just going along with what everyone else does. It's about using facts and numbers to make informed choices that suit your unique needs.

That's why I believe giving athletes access to their own data is crucial. Sports teams collect valuable information about athletes, and I think it should be shared with them. By doing this, I believe that athletes will be able to make informed choices and take control of their own development.

After all, it's all about empowering athletes to reach their full potential.

Empowering Athletes Through Data

In the past, athletes relied on others to make important decisions for them, but things have changed. Now, with the help of athlete data analysis, athletes have the ability to take control of their own careers.

Having access to data and metrics gives athletes a clearer picture of their strengths and weaknesses. It's like looking in the mirror and seeing their true selves as athletes. With this knowledge, athletes can capitalize on their strengths and improve their weaknesses. This transformative process gives athletes control over their own growth and development.

I truly believe that having access to one’s own data is like having a superpower. Especially in high-level sports, athletes need to do everything they can to gain a competitive edge over competitors. And what better way to do that than by using your own data to become better? The mindset of an elite-level athlete is to continually look for ways to become better, no matter how good they are. And if you equip such athletes with their own data to work with, they become unstoppable.

Athletes can tweak their technique, change their training intensity, or manage their workload in real time. Harnessing one’s data is all about maximizing one’s potential in every moment. And by using data, athletes are able to set personal goals and track their own progress accurately. No more guesswork. Based on real data and metrics, athletes will now be able to see how much they’ve progressed and what other improvements they can make.

It's quite obvious that athletes truly become empowered when they have access to their own data. It definitely is a game-changer because athletes will be able to make the most out of their data to unlock their full potential and strive for even greater success. With such important data at their disposal, athletes can maximize their abilities and continuously push themselves to new heights.