FSHP Academy
Sports Technology — all lessons

Module 1 – Introduction

Evolution and role of technology in sportImpact on training, recovery and competitionCase studies: technology in Olympic and elite sport

Module 2 – Biomechanics & Motion Capture

Biomechanics basics for technology usersMotion analysis tools: cameras, sensors and appsForce plates (e.g. VALD ForceDecks)Reaction-light systems (e.g. BlazePod)DynamometryRunning gait analysis (e.g. GaitON)Timing and jump systems (e.g. Hyperlab)

Module 3 – Wearables & Monitoring

Types of wearables: GPS and heart-rate monitorsInterpreting speed, load, fatigue and HRV dataIntegrating wearable data into training

Module 4 – Performance Testing & Analytics

Performance testing and analytics workflows

Timing and jump systems (e.g. Hyperlab)

Timing gates, jump mats, contact grids and app-based timing — accuracy, set-up, and protocols for sprint, agility and jump testing.

Intermediate Evidence: Strong evidence 3 min read Reviewed 2026-10-31 Status: draft

Learning objectives

  • Compare timing methods by accuracy
  • Set up timing gates and jump systems correctly
  • Standardise sprint and jump testing protocols
  • Interpret results against test reliability

Before this lesson

Why this matters

Small timing errors can be larger than real improvements.

Methods

MethodNotes
Hand stopwatchLarge errors
Single-beam gatesCan be triggered by arms/legs
Dual-beam gatesReduce false triggers
Video/app timingPractical; validate first
Jump mats/contact gridsFlight-time based

Methodology strongly affects sprint times [haugen2016]. Smartphone apps can be valid for jumps [balsalobre2015].

Protocol

  • Same surface, footwear, warm-up
  • Standing start 0.3–0.5 m behind first gate (consistent)
  • Gate height consistent (hip level)
  • 2–3 trials, full recovery
  • Record conditions; know typical error [hopkins2000]

Common mistakes and misconceptions

Case study

A coach discovers sprint times varied by 0.1 s depending on start distance. After standardising the start line, week-to-week variation falls to 0.02–0.03 s.

Further learning: video lessons

Video links are only marked “verified” after a human has watched them. Unverified entries open a YouTube search for that channel and topic rather than a guessed link.

Technical needs verification — opens a YouTube search

Timing and jump systems (e.g. Hyperlab)

sport science practitioners and manufacturers’ education channels (search)

You will understand: timing and jump systems (e.g. hyperlab)

Why: Practitioner content; verify the specific video and be aware of commercial bias.
Technical needs verification — opens a YouTube search

Validity and reliability explained

sport science practitioners and manufacturers’ education channels (search)

You will understand: judging measurement quality

Why: Practitioner content; verify the specific video and be aware of commercial bias.

Knowledge check

Knowledge check · 0/5

1. Haugen & Buchheit (2016) emphasise that sprint times depend on…

Answer B. Methodology.

2. Hand timing is typically…

Answer B. Reaction errors.

3. Jump mats calculate height from…

Answer B. h = g·t²/8.

4. Tucking the knees on landing on a jump mat…

Answer B. Technique error.

5. A good sprint protocol includes…

Answer B. Consistency.

Short-answer & application questions

  1. Set up a 10/20/30 m sprint test.
  2. Compare hand and gate timing.
  3. Write a jump-mat protocol.

Key takeaways

  • Electronic timing is far more accurate than hand timing.
  • Start method, gate height and single vs dual beams affect sprint times.
  • Jump mats estimate height from flight time — sensitive to landing technique.
  • Standardise surface, warm-up, footwear and start to compare results.

Connected topics

sports technology

Force plates (e.g. VALD ForceDecks)

strength conditioning

Speed and agility program design

football

Assessment protocols for footballers

References

  1. Haugen T, Buchheit M (2016). Sprint running performance monitoring: methodological and practical considerations. Sports Medicine, 46(5):641–656. Narrative review check pending
  2. Balsalobre-Fernández C, Glaister M, Lockey RA (2015). The validity and reliability of an iPhone app for measuring vertical jump performance. Journal of Sports Sciences, 33(15):1574–1579. Source check pending
  3. Hopkins WG (2000). Measures of reliability in sports medicine and science. Sports Medicine, 30(1):1–15. Narrative review check pending

Educational content only — not medical advice. Consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis or treatment.