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BIOMETRIC-BASED DIGITAL COACHING AND SPORT PERFORMANCE IN DIVISION I FOOTBALL ATHLETES

Abstract

Biometric data derived from wearable technology is increasingly used to guide sport performance training, with heart rate variability (HRV) being a key variable of interest. While biometric data alone may improve performance, supplementation of this data with biometric-based coaching may produce greater results. PURPOSE: To determine if a wearable combined with personalized biometric data-based coaching leads to greater improvements in indices of sport performance. METHODS: Collegiate football players (n=32) were randomized to a wearable only (W) or wearable plus coaching (W+C) group at the beginning of the 12-week off season. In addition to standardized strength and conditioning, both groups received biometric data, including day-to-day trends in HRV. The W+C group also received eight group health education sessions and daily digital health behavior coaching via a smartphone application on improving HRV. Sport performance was assessed with a 10-yd sprint (SP), vertical jump (VJ), and bench press repetitions to failure (RTF) tests pre- and post-off season. Differences in performance metrics were assessed with 2 (group) by 2 (time) ANOVAs (α=0.05). RESULTS: There was no significant interaction (p=0.16) nor main effects of time (p=0.37) or group (p=0.34) in SP performance (W pre: 1.58 ± 0.05 s, post: 1.58 ± 0.90 s; W+C pre: 1.57 ± 0.06 s, post: 1.55 ± 0.06 s). There was also no significant interaction (p=0.97) nor main effects of time (p=0.12) or group (p=0.96) for VJ (W pre: 73.30 ± 9.96 cm, post: 74.20 ± 9.91 cm; W+C pre: 73.50 ± 12.98 cm, post: 74.45 ± 13.42 cm). Analyses of RTF indicated no interaction (p=0.23) or group effect (p=0.39) but a significant effect of time (pre: 13 ± 7 reps, post: 14 ± 7 reps, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Although improvements in sport performance were greater in the W+C group, pre- to post-season changes were not significantly different from those attained in the W group. Results indicate a 12-week biometric-based digital health coaching intervention does not lead to greater improvements in the measured tests of anaerobic sports performance. These tests may lack the specificity needed to detect changes resulting from biometric-based coaching. Future research should consider longer study durations or alternative performance metrics that may be more likely to improve with biometric-based coaching.

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