(Getty Images)
In the world of men’s soccer, fashion can sometimes be a bit confusing to the naked eye. That confusion can certainly be applied to one of their undergarments, the oft misperceived “sports bra.” While it may look like one, it’s actually a GPS tracking vest chocked with a plentitude of high-tech assignments.
It’s supportive, it’s breathable, and it tells on them when they stop running. What more could a guy want? Frankly, it does more than just that. The technology is even more advanced than your sleek little smart watch.
The vest has pods that measure a wide range of metrics. They can monitor just about everything you can think of, including:
- Total distance covered
- Top speed
- Number of sprints
- Acceleration/deceleration patterns
- Heartrate
- Mechanical load
By tracking workload, medical and coaching staff can identify red flags. It also helps with rehabilitation when a player is returning from injury. Additionally, coaches use the data-driven decisions in real-time to determine strategy.
Why Not Use Socks, Headbands or even Tighty-Whities?
Trying to look tough while wearing a crop top is a special kind of talent of its own. All that aside, the reason engineers and sports scientist don’t place them in garments like socks and undies boils down to science, and a bit of common sense.
- Center of Mass – The vest is skintight and wields a tracking pod squarely between the shoulder blades. This placement isn’t random, as it is the optimal place on the body to connect with the GPS satellites and minimize movement. The upper thoracic spine is the sweet spot for tracking player movement.
- Signal Obstruction – GPS tracking requires a clear line of sight to multiple satellites. The human body itself is an obstacle to GPS signals. Having the device on the upper back minimizes the amount of body interference.
- Impact – Placing a hard rigid circuit board with a battery near the groin may sound like a good idea if you were born of metal parts. Being that most of us weren’t, it’s not ideal to put it in the underwear. Socks and headbands move around too much, and the impact is that of the most significant variety.
Big Brother is Always Watching
Yes, your favorite people on the pitch also wear the GPS vests. The reason behind theirs is similar, but not altogether the same. It’s more tattle tale related.
The game has gotten faster. These days, players tend to run upwards of 10-12 kilometers (6.2 to 7.5 miles) in a match. Referees need to constantly be in a position to make split-second decisions. Referee associations use the data to ensure their officials can keep pace. If controversy arises, they can review the data to see if the referee was in the best position to make the call.
In short, the referees are being refereed by their underwear, too.
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