Golf Professionals reach for the stars in the Low Countries

March 31st, 2008 | Quintic Video Software

The PGA of Belgium is among the first of the world associations to invest in state-of-the-art software to benefit its members, based on a blueprint pioneered by the PGA training facility at The Belfry.

Belgian members installed the Quintic Biomechanics 2D software at its headquarters in Waregem this March, just in time for the 2008 season. Quintic MD and much-in-demand biomechanics guide to top European Tour players, Dr Paul Hurrion, is said to be absolutely thrilled that international PGAs may well benefit from his research and expertise that went into the Belfry apparatus.

“Yes, it is a commercial thing – the software – and so it’s intended to make money, but it’s been such an act of dedication and input of invaluable experience by the entire team at Quintic, that to see it begin to gain acceptance further afield is really encouraging,” said an enthusiastic Hurrion from the World Congress of Golf in Phoenix, Arizona.

The PGA of Belgium’s 145 qualified professionals and 26 trainees will get both immediate return on the Association’s investment as well as benefits in the longer term, says the secretary-general Bernard A. de Bruyckere.

“In the short term the software will be used in our education programme where computer coaching will become more important,” says de Bruyckere. “In the longer term we will be able to use the system at our events, such as pro-ams, giving them an extra dimension to deploy in coaching and demonstration. Furthermore, the fact that (almost) all of our members will be using swing analysis will reflect positively on the PGA.”

Until 2007, the PGA of Belgium had worked with another system, but an article on the internet about the newly-installed system at The Belfry piqued the Belgian chief’s attention.

He – like many others – had always had the idea that software of this calibre was prohibitively expensive for the average professional, and so even to consider the outlay rarely occurred as a viable solution to most Professionals. However, through the working relationship with Quintic, the Belgian Association is confident that all professionals will now be able to use swing analysis on computer, giving them an extra tool for a better service to their clients.

The technology at The Belfry – on which the Belgian system is modeled – includes Quintic Biomechanics 2D Software, four High Speed Multi-Camera systems, Advanced Motion Measurement 3D Software, RSscan Force Platform and a powerful computer.

Firstly, hitting a ball onto the driving range while using the facility, is a much more interactive experience than without it. The objective is to obtain a representative swing, which is captured by four synchronized cameras and a force platform – the latter to help assess and guide balance.

Golfers can see and understand the biomechanics, technique, balance and muscular dynamics of their golf swing in the greatest of depth and detail. Using video capture, they can also learn from comparison with the world’s top golfers and with statistical models to improve their own technique and performance.

Next, user-friendly quick 2D analysis is provided by the high end Quintic Biomechanics Analysis Software – similar to that used by universities and physiotherapy clinics across the world, international sporting organizations, top clubs, golf academies and golf professionals alike.

The force platform is a highly complex and sensitive piece of hardware that provides accurate and reliable data on pressure and timing during the swing. Of the many things Paul Hurrion has learned over the years, arguably the most important factor in golf swing performance is balance. Incorrect balance can negate everything else that may be right. And it’s the one thing that is difficult to detect by the human eye or video camera. Virtually instantaneous dynamic foot pressure analysis enables the golfer to visualize and understand his own body movements. The key then is how to turn the information into improved performance.

Looking at the investment strategically, Bernard de Bruyckere is sanguine in his outlook.

“In the eyes of the general public golf remains a sport for the rich,” he explains. “Efforts are being made to make the sport more accessible but this will take time. Commercially- speaking the current situation is not in favour of the sport as companies do not want to relate to the rich or the public reached is too small. With 50,000 golfers the sport is to be considered a medium size sport behind football, cycling and tennis. The government is more and more aware of the sport and now has an infrastructure for building golf courses. Unfortunately the procedure is so tough that hardly any new projects get off the ground. The youngest 18 holes course is now about 10 years old. And we might dare to hope that initiatives like this will benefit the game on a national basis.”

As the benefits are seen to bear fruit, it is hoped that golfers throughout the low countries and the Benelux countries will come and see the working environment for themselves.

Paul McGinley : High Speed Video 1000fps Driver SV

March 25th, 2008 | Golf Biomechanics, Quintic Video Software

Paul McGinley : High Speed Video 1000fps 6 Iron FV

March 25th, 2008 | Golf Biomechanics, Quintic Video Software

EIS Support Services – The Sponsorship Opportunity

March 9th, 2008 | Quintic Video Software

Hester Brierley, head of marketing and communications at the English Institute of Sport, explains why sponsors should explore the ‘relatively untapped market’ of support services.

In elite sport, when chasing the ultimate dream of Olympic gold, millionths matter in seconds and metres. With winning margins becoming smaller and smaller, there has never been a greater focus on the role of science, medicine and technology in shaving off the fraction of a second or centimetre that could be the difference between a gold medal and fourth place.

While the race to sponsor the best athlete/s or be associated with the most successful sports continues, the less well-known area of support service provision– supporting the equivalent of the F1 pit crew – is a relatively untapped market

At the English Institute of Sport (EIS) we first started exploring the potential for corporate partnerships a couple of years with signings from GE Healthcare (provider of diagnostic imaging services), Quintic (provider of video performance analysis software) and Lucozade Sport, Nestle Powerbar and Science in Sport (providers of performance nutrition products).

When considering support of elite athletes though there are some basic principles, which are quite unique. Firstly, product efficacy rather than commercial potential must be the driver for creating an effective partnership.

An organisation cannot ‘buy’ their way into support service provision as the product must be the best on the market; whether in the technology/IT category such as high-speed cameras, technique analysis software and physiological monitoring equipment or more commodity type purchases such as physiotherapy consumables.

Secondly, due to the need for the best products, supply exclusivity is not an option. We cannot jeopardise the integrity of service delivery by tying ourselves into a product which may be superseded the future.

In support service provision what rights are offered in return? Whilst we support Olympic and Paralympic athletes we have no Olympic rights or athlete rights. The benefits, whilst category specific are clearly around the association with being ‘the best’ and in their role in making our best athletes even better.

Our collaboration with GE Healthcare is one with which we see great potential toward 2012, an IOC Top sponsor looking forward to association with London in 2012. They will clearly be keen to leverage their investment when the Olympic flag is officially handed over to London in Beijing, and with their support we will continue to keep our best sportsmen and women on the field on play rather than in the rehabilitation room.

About the English Institute of Sport
Working together with the athletes and coaches of Olympic, Paralympic and some English sports, the English Institute of Sport (EIS), a grant funded organisation, delivers sport science and medical support services from it’s national network of high performance centres at venues such as Bisham Abbey, Lee Valley Athletics Centre, and Birmingham Alexander Stadium.

“Quintic Biomechanics Software provides ACCURATE & FAST analysis which is why we’re the preferred supplier of Biomechanical Performance Analysis Software to the English Institute of Sport.”

“Research shows that on average, athletes and coaches can only recall 30% of performance correctly. Performance Analysis software can help with the missing 70%. Using analysis software packages we can provide real-time feedback to the coach and athlete. Within the software we are able to create split-screen comparisons of the athlete with themselves pre and post injury or pre and post coaching intervention or against a role model.”

“Both video and statistics are used to assist an athlete – after all the camera never lies! Performance analysis is widely utilised in elite sport today; it’s instant, it’s simple, it’s real and it can have immediate effect on performance.”

Stafford Murray – EIS Lead Performance Analyst

Hi-tech students help athletes of the future – Burnley College

March 3rd, 2008 | Quintic Video Software

College students are coaching the athletes of the future thanks to state-of-the-art video equipment. Students studying for sports degrees at Burnley College have been learning to use the analysing system, made by Coventry-based sports biomechanics firm Quintic.

The technology can record and then slow down athletes’ movements to a sixteenth of a second so coaches can show them exactly where they are going right and wrong and advise them on how to improve their movement.

The equipment is similar to that used by professional coaches use in national sporting teams, and Burnley College believes it is the first East Lancashire facility with a licence for it.

The college has obtained the software through its partner the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan), which allows people to get a degree at Burnley, without having to attend the main Preston campus.

Colum Cronin, programme leader for vocational sport at Burnley College, said: “Being trained to use this equipment makes the students much more employable, because it’s what is used in industry, including by coaches for England’s football and cricket teams.”

“UCLan have the Quintic equipment already which sport degree students use, so we just had to get a licence for it, which made it more straight forward and less expensive.

“We can also offer more access to our students as we have about 15 to 20 studying for sports degrees as opposed to the several hundred at UCLan.”

Two students are already putting it into practice by using it to coach young gymnasts at Burnley Gymnastics Club.

Kim Pearson and former international gymnast Koey Wahid co-run the club at St Peter’s Centre alongside their studying for a foundation degree in sports coaching and performance at Burnley College.

Colum said: “The gymnasts are the first club we’re working with because Kim and Koey run it and are students here, but the equipment can be used across a range of sports including running, long jump and cricket.

“Holding a licence is something of a coup for the college and we are looking at working in partnership with other sports centres and clubs to help up-and-coming sports stars and maybe play a part in developing an Olympic star of the future.

“It also means we have young coaches as good role models to encourage youngsters to get involved in sport.”

The students are also using the equipment to analyse the performances of gymnasts at The City of Manchester Gymnastics Centre.

By Deborah Lewis
www.thisislancashire.co.uk





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