Output Sports - Detailed Review
Sports Tools
Output Sports - Product Overview
Output Sports
Output Sports is an innovative tool in the sports technology sector, focused on streamlining athletic performance testing, monitoring, and analysis. Here’s a breakdown of its primary function, target audience, and key features:
Primary Function
Output Sports offers an all-in-one system that combines a small portable sensor with comprehensive software. This system is designed to measure and analyze various aspects of athletic performance, including velocity-based training (VBT), power, jumps, reactive strength index (RSI), mobility, and more. It provides the same data as traditional tools like force plates, linear position transducers, and goniometers, but in a single, user-friendly platform.
Target Audience
The primary users of Output Sports include a wide range of practitioners in the sports and fitness industry. This includes:
- Strength and conditioning coaches
- Rehabilitation clinics and physiotherapists
- Professional sports teams (e.g., NFL, MLB, Premier League)
- Universities and colleges
- High schools
- Amateur and grassroots sports organizations
- Elite athletes and Olympic teams
Key Features
- Versatile Testing: The system supports over 200 sensor-based exercises, covering a broad spectrum of athletic performance metrics such as VBT, jumps, mobility, RSI, contacts, slams, swings, throws, and more.
- Portability and Ease of Use: The sensor is portable and does not require bulky equipment, wires, or Wi-Fi. This makes it highly convenient for use in various settings, from the weight room to the field or on the road.
- Advanced Analytics: The software provides advanced analytics, including metrics like airtime, contact time, and peak acceleration force. It also allows for the pairing of data with video, offering a comprehensive view of an athlete’s performance.
- Real-Time Feedback and Leaderboards: The system includes live mode and full-screen leaderboards, which help motivate athletes and create healthy competition. It also provides instant feedback to keep athletes on track.
- Athlete Profiling and Readiness Testing: Output Sports enables quick and efficient profiling and readiness testing for athletes, including full squad readiness profiling in under three minutes. This helps in avoiding overtraining and fatigue.
- Diagnostic and Assessment Tools: The software includes diagnostic tools for mobility tests, balance assessments, and stability observations. It also measures the angle of failure and speed of movement for specific exercises like Nordic hamstring curls.
- User-Friendly Hub: The Output Hub provides easy access to trends and data for all athletes, with easy-to-make charts and graphs that highlight key performance metrics. This facilitates better decision-making and athlete progress tracking.
Overall, Output Sports is a comprehensive and user-friendly platform that simplifies the process of testing, monitoring, and analyzing athletic performance, making it an invaluable tool for a wide range of sports practitioners.
Output Sports - User Interface and Experience
User Interface of Output Sports
The user interface of Output Sports is crafted with a strong focus on ease of use, versatility, and user engagement.
Ease of Use
The Output Sports system is highly user-friendly, making it accessible to a wide range of users, from health and performance coaches to athletes themselves. The platform is described as “very user friendly” and “easy to use,” allowing users to seamlessly test, analyze, and report athletic performance without needing extensive technical knowledge.
Versatile Testing and Monitoring
The system enables versatile testing across various environments, such as the weight room, field, or even at home. This portability is a significant advantage, as it allows coaches and athletes to conduct a wide range of tests, including power, reactivity, ground contact times, and mobility tests, all with just the sensor and a phone.
Real-Time Feedback and Leaderboards
Output Sports provides real-time feedback and leaderboards that are synced directly to the user’s device. This feature helps motivate athletes by creating a competitive environment and allowing them to see their progress immediately. The leaderboard function has been particularly effective in increasing the intensity of strength and conditioning sessions.
Hub and Data Analysis
The Output Sports Hub is a central feature that offers easy access to trends and data for all athletes. It includes easy-to-make charts and graphs that highlight various components of the device, providing valuable insights for both athletes and coaches. This centralized data management makes it simple to track progress and identify trends without needing to merge data from multiple sources.
Seamless Programming
The system allows coaches to create and deliver workouts and programs directly through the app, making both in-person and remote sessions efficient. This feature ensures that athletes can follow their programs seamlessly, whether they are training on-site or remotely.
User Engagement
Output Sports has been successful in engaging users emotionally and motivationally. The system’s ability to gamify strength and conditioning sessions, quantify previously unmeasurable tasks, and provide immediate feedback all contribute to a more engaging and motivating training experience.
Conclusion
In summary, the user interface of Output Sports is characterized by its ease of use, versatility in testing and monitoring, real-time feedback, and seamless data analysis and programming. These features combine to create a user experience that is both engaging and factually accurate, making it a valuable tool for athletes, coaches, and performance professionals.
Output Sports - Key Features and Functionality
Output Sports Overview
Output Sports offers a comprehensive suite of features and functionalities that leverage AI and data analytics to enhance athletic performance. Here are the main features and how they work:Wearable Sensor System
Output Sports uses a single wearable sensor system that allows strength and conditioning coaches, sport scientists, and rehab professionals to capture and analyze athletic data. This system is versatile and can be used across various sports, including football, swimming, basketball, and golf, for velocity-based training, reactive strength, and power development.Data Capture and Analysis
The technology captures a vast amount of data, with over 30 million measurements recorded from athletes globally in 2024. This data is crucial for analyzing athletic performance and making informed decisions. The system played a significant role in several medal-winning performances at the 2024 Olympic Games.Load-Velocity (L-V) Profiling
Coaches can use the Load-Velocity Profiling section within the Output Hub to analyze athlete performance. This feature involves profiling the athlete, selecting performed sets, and analyzing the data to understand the relationship between load and velocity. This helps in optimizing training programs and enhancing athletic performance.Workouts Feature
The Workouts feature allows coaches to create, prescribe, and track training sessions. Athletes can log their perceived exertion and add custom notes, providing valuable feedback to the coach. The platform includes a library of over 200 sensor-based exercises, and coaches can also add custom exercises to meet specific training goals. This feature streamlines training sessions, personalizes programs, and tracks progress effectively.Data Export and Integration
Coaches can export data for external use or analysis, choosing to export data for an entire group or a single athlete. The data can include weight, height, and wellness measurements, and can be split by exercise. This data can be exported and viewed in Excel, allowing for further analysis and integration with other tools.Athlete Profiling and Feedback
Within the Athlete Hub, coaches can profile athletes and track their progress over time. Athletes can complete workouts, testing sessions, and readiness protocols assigned by coaches. The platform allows athletes to provide feedback through perceived exertion and custom notes, which helps coaches make informed adjustments to the training programs.AI Integration
While the specific details of AI integration are not extensively outlined, Output Sports is part of a broader sports technology industry that is driven by increased demand for biometric tracking, analysis tools, and AI integration. The company’s commitment to developing data-driven insights suggests that AI plays a role in analyzing and interpreting the vast amounts of data captured by their wearable sensor system.Coaching Communication and Streamlining
The platform enhances coaching communication by allowing coaches to create repeatable exercise protocols and training interventions. This streamlines data management and ensures that coaches and athletes are aligned on training goals and progress. The Output Hub facilitates clear communication and data sharing, making it easier to manage athlete data and make informed decisions.Conclusion
These features collectively enable Output Sports to provide a comprehensive solution for optimizing athletic performance, leveraging data analytics and AI to support coaches and athletes in achieving their best results. Output Sports - Performance and Accuracy
Output Sports Overview
Output Sports is a notable player in the sports technology sector, particularly with its AI-driven product, Output // Capture. Here’s an evaluation of its performance and accuracy, along with some limitations and areas for improvement.
Performance and Accuracy
Output Sports’ system is praised for its comprehensive and accurate data collection. The Output // Capture solution uses a single wearable sensor to test multiple components of athletic performance, including strength, power, balance, speed, and mobility. This sensor can track strength training and rehabilitation with laboratory-grade accuracy, making it a valuable tool for coaches and athletes.
The system provides a wide range of metrics, such as jump metrics (e.g., countermovement jump, drop jump), sprint and field metrics (e.g., airtime, contact time, peak acceleration force), and mobility tests. These metrics are crucial for creating a complete athlete profile and can be directly translated to sport-specific activities.
Data Integration and Visualization
Output Sports’ data integration is facilitated through the Output Hub, which amalgamates data for visualization, report generation, and programming. This allows practitioners to leverage the data to optimize athletic performance effectively. The Hub provides easy access to trends and progress charts, which are beneficial for both athletes and coaches.
Limitations and Areas for Improvement
One of the limitations of the Output Sports system is its current compatibility; it is only supported on Android platforms, although there are plans to expand to iOS by the end of 2021 or later.
Another area for improvement is the system’s cost. While it is reasonably priced considering its comprehensive features, it is more expensive than some similar sensor systems like the Vmaxpro. Additionally, there is a yearly service fee based on its features.
In terms of functionality, while the Output system is versatile and can measure various metrics, it may not capture all the variables that more specialized equipment like force plates can. For example, it might miss some of the constant shifting of forces during jump tests, although it still provides ample quality data.
Future Development
Output Sports is continuously developing its product. Future improvements could include enhancing features like capturing bar path and expanding the range of velocity-based training options. These developments would further solidify the system’s position as a comprehensive tool for athletic performance analysis.
Conclusion
In summary, Output Sports offers a highly accurate and comprehensive solution for athletic performance tracking and analysis. While there are some limitations, such as platform compatibility and cost, the system’s benefits, including its ease of use and extensive data collection capabilities, make it a valuable asset for athletes and coaches.
Output Sports - Pricing and Plans
Pricing Structure Overview
The pricing structure of Output Sports is designed to be flexible and cater to the various needs of athletes, coaches, and facilities. Here are the key points regarding their pricing and plans:Subscription Options
Output Sports offers two main subscription options: monthly and annual plans. The monthly plan requires a 12-month minimum commitment, while the annual plan involves prepaying for 12 months with a discount.Packages and Licensing
The pricing is based on the number of athlete licenses or profiles you need. There are various packages available, and you can choose one that suits your specific requirements. If you need more athlete licenses, you can contact a performance specialist to customize a package for you.Features Across Plans
Software Subscription
All plans include access to the latest analytics, reporting, and programming functionality through their Performance Management Platform and mobile app. New features are continually added without the need for new hardware.Custom Exercises and Readiness Dashboards
Regardless of the plan, you can create custom exercises and configure readiness dashboards to assess athlete readiness.Live Mode
This feature allows you to monitor what is happening in the weight room in real-time, acting as a newsfeed for all athlete activities.Custom Billing
For customers on Advanced plans, Output Sports offers custom billing options. If you have specific billing requirements, you can contact their Customer Support team.Hardware and Warranty
You can have as many or as few OUTPUT units as needed, with optimal performance achieved with 1-5 athletes per sensor. The hardware comes with an extended 2-year warranty in case of manufacturing faults.Free Demo and Money-Back Guarantee
Output Sports offers a free demo to help you understand how their product can meet your needs. Additionally, they provide a 100% satisfaction guarantee with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee if you are not satisfied with the product.Free Resources
While not part of the pricing plans, Output Sports provides several free resources, including eBooks and mini-guides on various topics such as velocity-based training, normative data, and sports physio and rehab. These resources are available to help coaches optimize their training and rehabilitation strategies.Summary
In summary, Output Sports’ pricing is structured around flexible subscription options, customizable packages based on athlete licenses, and comprehensive features across all plans, along with additional free resources for coaches. Output Sports - Integration and Compatibility
Platform Compatibility
iOS and Android Support
Output Sports’ system is now compatible with both iOS and Android operating systems. The recent launch of their V2 system has introduced a new interface and user experience that works seamlessly on both iOS and Android devices, making it more accessible to a wider range of users.Device Compatibility
Requirements for Mobile App
The Output Sports system includes an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor, straps, and a mobile app. The OUTPUT Capture Mobile App requires iOS 15 or Android 8.0 and above to run, ensuring that users with relatively modern devices can utilize the system effectively.Integrations with Other Tools
Performance Technology Integrations
Output Sports has integrated its platform with several other performance technologies. For instance, they have an API integration with TeamBuildr, which allows Output Sports data to be accessed and utilized on the TeamBuildr platform. This integration enhances data management efficiency for users.Additional Integrations
Additionally, Output Sports is integrated with other platforms such as Movella and Kinduct. They also have an open API, which enables integration with most modern performance technologies. Users can request integrations with other specific platforms by contacting the company.Software and Data Management
Cloud-Based Performance Management
The Output Sports Performance Management Platform is cloud-based, allowing access on any web browser via a laptop or desktop. This platform provides easy access to trends and data for all athletes, with features like charts and graphs that highlight progress and trends. The Hub within the software allows for easy monitoring of athlete data, making it a valuable tool for coaches and athletes alike.Conclusion
In summary, Output Sports has enhanced its compatibility and integration capabilities, making it a versatile and user-friendly tool for athletes and coaches across various platforms and devices. Output Sports - Customer Support and Resources
Customer Support
Hours of Service
Support is available from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays, Irish time. This ensures that users have access to support during standard business hours.
Contact Methods
Users can contact support via email at support@outputsports.com. The company acknowledges receipt of each notification as soon as possible and responds within one business day during the hours of service.
Troubleshooting Guides
Before submitting a support request, users are required to work through the applicable Support Troubleshooting Guides available on the company’s portal. If issues persist, a detailed support request can be submitted via email.
Qualified Personnel
Users may need to provide suitably qualified personnel to assist the support team with information and assistance when required.
Additional Resources
Free Performance Resources
Output Sports offers a range of free eBooks and mini-guides for coaches. These resources cover topics such as velocity-based training (VBT), jumps, medicine ball training, football training strategies, normative data, sports physio and rehab, and athlete testing days. These guides are designed to help coaches optimize their training methods and enhance athlete performance.
Workouts and Data Management
The Output Hub allows coaches to build and manage training sessions, test protocols, and monitor athlete data efficiently. Users can export collected data for external analysis, including options to export data for entire groups or individual athletes, along with various measurements like weight, height, and wellness metrics.
Support Requests and Responses
Issue Investigation
The support team investigates reported issues during the hours of service and responds with an outline of the problem, proposed corrective actions, and a proposed timeframe for resolution.
By providing these support options and resources, Output Sports ensures that users have the necessary tools and assistance to effectively use their products and enhance athletic performance.
Output Sports - Pros and Cons
Advantages of Output Sports
Comprehensive Metrics and Versatility
Output Sports offers a wide range of metrics that go beyond standard velocity-based training. It includes jump metrics such as power and reactivity, sprint and field metrics like airtime, contact time, and peak acceleration force. This versatility allows it to track various aspects of athletic performance, from weight room activities to sprint drills, bounding, and hurdle hops.
User-Friendly and Integrated System
The system is highly user-friendly, with a simple interface that empowers athletes to take ownership of their daily testing. It allows for easy data collection from multiple devices, making it scalable for any sized weight room. The Output Hub provides easy access to trends, charts, and graphs, and enables the creation of reports and leaderboards, which can be exported to Excel for further analysis.
Validity and Reliability
Output Sports has been developed over 10 years of scientific research using gold-standard biomechanical lab equipment. This ensures that all its modules have strong validity, reliability, and accuracy. The system is backed by research from Europe’s largest academic data-analytics research centre, the Insight Centre for Data Analytics.
Multi-Faceted Assessments
The system is not limited to velocity-based training; it also includes mobility tests, balance and stability assessments, and range of motion tests. It can measure the angle of failure and speed of movement for exercises like Nordic hamstring curls, making it a valuable tool for return to play settings and eccentric hamstring strength assessments.
Cost-Effectiveness and Convenience
While not the cheapest option, Output Sports is reasonably priced considering its comprehensive features. It combines the functions of several devices (like contact grids, timing gates, and force plates) into one system, reducing the need for multiple expensive tools and the hassle of traveling with them.
Customer Support and Continuous Improvement
The team behind Output Sports is highly committed to continuous improvement, actively listening to coaches’ concerns and offering customized solutions. This dedication ensures the product remains relevant and effective for various sports science needs.
Disadvantages of Output Sports
Platform Limitations
Currently, Output Sports is only supported on Android platforms, although there are plans to make it accessible on iOS as well. This limitation can be a drawback for users who prefer or exclusively use iOS devices.
Cost Considerations
While the system is reasonably priced given its features, it is still more expensive than some similar sensor systems like the Vmaxpro. Additionally, it requires a yearly subscription fee for its services.
Limited Simultaneous Use
The system cannot be used in multiple ways with the same device at the same time, which might limit its utility in certain scenarios where multiple types of data need to be collected simultaneously.
Initial Setup and Delivery
While the software account is activated immediately, the sensor kits typically take 10-14 days to arrive after completing the order, which could cause a delay in starting to use the system.
In summary, Output Sports offers a highly versatile, valid, and reliable system for athletic performance tracking, but it comes with some limitations, particularly in terms of platform support and cost. However, its comprehensive features and commitment to continuous improvement make it a valuable tool for sports professionals.
Output Sports - Comparison with Competitors
Unique Features of Output Sports
- Output Sports offers a single sensor solution, known as Output Capture, which can test and track a wide range of athletic performance metrics including strength, power, balance, speed, mobility, and more. This sensor is highly versatile and can be used in various settings such as strength training and rehabilitation.
- The system integrates with the Output Hub, which provides data visualization, report generation, and programming tools. This allows practitioners to optimize athletic performance by leveraging the collected data.
- Output Sports is notable for its validity and reliability, backed by research from Europe’s largest academic data-analytics research centre, the Insight Centre for Data Analytics. This ensures that the data provided is accurate and trustworthy.
Alternatives and Competitors
Sportlogiq
- Sportlogiq uses AI and computer vision to capture and analyze data from live events, enhancing performance, strategy, and scouting. Unlike Output Sports, Sportlogiq focuses more on video feed integration and is used by broadcasters and sports organizations. It extends its solutions to youth sports, providing high-level analytics to a broader audience.
- Sportlogiq’s technology is more oriented towards detailed sports analytics and strategy, rather than the broad performance profiling offered by Output Sports.
Catapult Group
- Catapult Group provides AI-driven performance analytics using wearable devices and advanced software. This technology is similar to Output Sports in that it tracks and analyzes physical performance, but it is more focused on wearable devices rather than a single sensor solution. Catapult Group’s tools are widely used for training, strategy, and injury prevention across various sports.
- Catapult Group’s approach is more device-centric and may offer more detailed tracking through multiple wearables, but it lacks the all-in-one sensor solution of Output Sports.
Microsoft and IBM
- Microsoft and IBM offer broader AI and analytics solutions that integrate into various aspects of sports, including team strategy, athlete training, and fan engagement. Microsoft’s Sports Performance Platform and IBM’s Watsonx.ai provide real-time insights and predictive analytics, but these are more comprehensive platforms that go beyond the specific performance tracking of Output Sports.
- These platforms are more suited for large-scale sports organizations and teams looking for integrated solutions that include fan engagement and operational capabilities, rather than the focused athlete performance profiling of Output Sports.
NEX
- NEX specializes in AI-powered solutions for esports, offering a platform called Playground that enhances player performance and engagement through data-driven insights and personalized coaching. This is a highly specialized solution that does not directly compete with Output Sports, which is geared towards traditional sports and physical performance metrics.
Conclusion
Output Sports stands out for its versatility and the comprehensive nature of its single sensor solution, making it a valuable tool for practitioners looking for a cost-effective and all-in-one performance tracking system. While other companies offer more specialized or broader solutions, Output Sports excels in providing a wide range of performance metrics and ease of use, particularly beneficial for those with budget or space limitations.
Output Sports - Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some frequently asked questions about Output Sports, along with detailed responses:
What is Output Sports and how does it work?
Output Sports is a sports technology company that provides an end-to-end solution for testing, tracking, and improving athletic performance. It uses a single wearable sensor, known as Output // Capture, which can measure various components of athletic performance such as strength, power, balance, speed, and mobility. This data is then integrated into the Output Hub, which allows for data visualization, report generation, and programming to optimize training programs, injury risk stratification, and talent identification.
What kind of data can Output Sports capture?
Output Sports captures a wide range of data, including metrics on strength, power, jumps, movement, and many more. The system can measure over 200 exercises and provides real-time feedback on these metrics. It also tracks athlete readiness, fatigue, and progression across various performance indicators.
How does the Output Hub work?
The Output Hub is a central platform that amalgamates data from the wearable sensors. It allows for easy access to trends and progress for all athletes, providing charts and graphs that highlight key performance components. Coaches and athletes can use the Hub to view progress, set goals, and adjust training programs based on the data.
Can Output Sports be used by both athletes and coaches?
Yes, Output Sports is designed for use by both athletes and coaches. Athletes can use the Output Capture App to record and get instant feedback on their exercises, access their data, and chart their progress. Coaches can use the app and the Output Hub to monitor athlete performance, create customized training programs, and track progress over time.
How many athletes can use a single Output Sports sensor?
There is no cap on the number of athletes who can use a singular device, but for optimal flow and speed, it is recommended to have between 1-5 athletes per sensor. Many teams use one sensor per athlete to capture and record data away from training facilities.
What kind of support does Output Sports offer?
Output Sports provides excellent support from qualified sports scientists for all their packages. The level of support varies depending on the package chosen. Additionally, they have a Knowledge Base and offer extended support through their website.
Is Output Sports cost-effective?
While Output Sports may not be the most inexpensive option, it is considered very reasonably priced given its comprehensive features. It combines multiple systems into one, reducing the need for various pieces of equipment and saving on travel stress and hassle. The system also offers a yearly fee for service based on its features.
Can Output Sports be used at home or in the gym?
Yes, Output Sports is designed to be versatile and can be used both at home and in the gym. The wearable sensor is portable, has a 24-hour battery life, and can be fully charged in one hour. This makes it convenient for athletes to use in any setting.
What kind of warranty does Output Sports offer?
Output Sports offers an extended 2-year warranty on all their hardware in the unlikely event of a manufacturing fault.
How does Output Sports help in injury risk stratification and talent identification?
Output Sports integrates data to allow for improved training programs, injury risk stratification, and talent identification. By analyzing the comprehensive data captured by the wearable sensors, coaches and sports scientists can identify potential injury risks and spot talented athletes more effectively.
Output Sports - Conclusion and Recommendation
Final Assessment of Output Sports
Output Sports stands out as an innovative and comprehensive solution in the sports tools and AI-driven product category, particularly for athletic performance tracking and optimization.Key Benefits
- Comprehensive Performance Tracking: Output Sports’ flagship product, Output // Capture, is a single wearable sensor that can test and track multiple components of athletic performance, including strength, power, balance, speed, mobility, and more. This all-in-one solution replaces the need for multiple devices like contact grids or force plates.
- Remote Training and Assessment: The system is especially beneficial during times of social distancing or when athletes are training remotely. It allows athletes to conduct self-assessments and track their progress through a companion app, maintaining a sense of routine and continuity in their training.
- Data Integration and Visualization: The Output Hub software amalgamates the data collected, enabling data visualization, report generation, and programming. This helps practitioners optimize training programs, stratify injury risk, and identify talent more effectively.
- Sport-Specific Profiling: The system provides detailed metrics that can be translated to sport-specific activities, offering insights into how athletes sprint, jump, and move. This holistic approach to athlete profiling is highly valuable for coaches and practitioners.
Who Would Benefit Most
- Professional and Amateur Athletes: Athletes across various sports can benefit from the detailed performance metrics and continuous assessment capabilities, helping them optimize their training and rehabilitation programs.
- Coaches and Trainers: Coaches can leverage the data to create more targeted and effective training plans, reduce injury risks, and identify potential talent.
- Sports Teams and Organizations: Teams can use the system to standardize their training and assessment processes, ensuring consistency and accuracy in evaluating athlete performance.