How to get new tech initiatives across the line

WHEN working with a new tech partner, ensuring compatibility and long-term benefit is key.

Even when agreed and onboarding, the smallest of hitches in embracing a new platform can cause costly delays.

When it comes to getting value – and definitive performance gains –from tech adaptation, sports teams offer some of the best insights in quick turnarounds with the best outcomes.

Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club in particular is a great example of how to get heart rate training right.

One of the main focuses for the team’s training sessions is in ensuring performance improvement as part of the team’s energy system development – the ideal way of gauging fitness.

“We prescribe different interval training options,” said Liam Price, strength and conditioning coach at the club.

“Whether they’re running or on the Wattbike, we make sure that our athletes are training in the right heart rate zones.

“The beauty of Myzone is that it’s changeable. So, for example, if we’re on the bike we can whack a chest strap on one of the lads and make sure they’re in 80 to 90 per cent, and they can get a decent stimulus from there and get the adaptation.

“Or, if we’re looking for recovery and active recovery, we make sure that the boys aren’t pushing too hard so they’re staying in the lower zones to promote recovery rather than risk the detriment of strain.”

Transitioning any team, or gym community, into embracing heart rate training is only as strong of an idea as the integration of the technology itself.

In addition to the in-facility screens and displays, ensuring individuals have access to a free app across a range of smart devices means that the new digital initiative seamlessly fits in with their lifestyles.

But it has to be as accurate and essential to training as the gym screens themselves.

This also means there’s full visibility and access to data, instead of having measurements and metrics behind closed doors between sessions.

“Our players enjoy using Myzone because of the ease of use of the app,” Liam added.

“They can see in real-time where their heart rate is if we’ve given them specific targets.

“They get the overviews of their peak heart rate or their average heart rate; they can compete against each other to see who can earn the most Myzone Effort Points, so it really buys the lads in.”

For more information on how to find the way of embracing heart rate training for your community, visit myzone.org