Riddell Bolsters Smart Helmet Technology Platform to Help Manage Head Impact Exposure for Today's Athletes
Innovative InSite Training Tool Taps Big Data to Analyze Head Impacts and Provide Actionable Information for Coaches and Athletic Trainers
DES PLAINES, Ill., May 23, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Riddell unveiled its InSite Training Tool (ITT), a web-based data center that collects and analyzes on-field head impacts. ITT comes as the newest feature in Riddell's InSite impact monitoring platform providing robust analytic tools that create and track individual player impact profiles. Staff at all levels can now benefit from head impact monitoring to better influence player behavior through training techniques and practice plans.
The ITT platform uses data Riddell collected from more than 5 million impacts gathered over a decade of on-field monitoring. ITT also includes an advanced practice planning feature for team personnel, offering a data-driven approach to proactively manage athletes by identifying training opportunities based on head impact data.
"This is an exciting innovation that creates a first-time opportunity for programs at all levels to take a data-driven approach towards reducing exposure to head impacts," said Thad Ide, Riddell's Senior Vice President of Research and Product Development. "The ability to track head impact exposure for a team provides a coaching tool to help better evaluate how effective they are in limiting unnecessary player contact during practices and games."
In addition to helping teams monitor player head impact levels and influencing athlete behavior, the new technology enables coaches to identify opportunities for specialized instruction. These opportunities are identified by comparing individual player data to national norms based on player position and skill level.
Colgate University began using ITT during their 2018 spring practices and shared their excitement for the technology's integration into their program.
"The InSite Training Tool revolutionizes how we view practice and paves the way for coaches and players to create a smarter, more intelligent game," said Dan Hunt, Colgate University Head Football Coach. "The capability to influence how our athletes train and the ability to systematically assess our performance is a clear advantage over other programs. It adds more depth and substance to our player protection and evaluation processes."
Teams using ITT have helmets with integrated InSite technology that monitors head impacts. If a single impact or a collection of impacts exceeds a predetermined, position-specific threshold, staff will receive an alert via their InSite handheld monitor. Head Impact Exposure (HIE) data is collected from the helmet sensors by the monitor and uploaded to the ITT web platform.
The latest innovation from Riddell, creators of the game's top head impact monitoring technology, is the most recent example of how the company is ushering the sport into a new era of information. More than 1,000 youth, high school and college football programs across the U.S. are currently using InSite -- available through dedicated Riddell sales representatives – with more expected to transition for the 2018 season. To learn more, visit Riddell.com/InSite.
About Riddell: Riddell is a premier designer and developer of football helmets, protective sports equipment, head impact monitoring technologies, apparel and related accessories. A recognized leader in helmet technology and innovation, Riddell is the leading manufacturer of football helmets and shoulder pads, and a top provider of reconditioning services (cleaning, repairing, repainting and recertifying existing equipment). For more information, visit our website at www.riddell.com, like the Riddell Facebook page, or follow Riddell on Instagram and Twitter @RiddellSports.
SOURCE Riddell
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