Researcher gives Darwin’s young athletes some science training

A Charles Darwin University (CDU) researcher has helped to promote sports and STEM by studying body movement using some of the latest elite sports science gadgets.

CDU sports scientist Dr Stuart Evans has helped to promote triathlons to young athletes by exploring their body movement using some of the most advanced sports science diagnostic equipment.

Dr Evans said the obsession with exercise tracking with apps could have a negative effect on people training.

“What happens is that these apps provide information, but it's not put into context, such as the body’s  rhythms of periods of peak and low performance,” Dr Evans said.

“The question is how do we make the data collected meaningful for the athlete.”

The technology he used for his analysis was far more nuanced.

“These are not your usual Fitbit or iPhone app,” Dr Evans said.

“They will be using and experiencing specialised equipment that our elite athletes use, such as a motion capture system and a force platform to study impacts on the body.”

Dr Evans said the young athletes are still developing and doing the right and wrong exercise can significantly impact their lives.

The kids were part of a Darwin Triathlon Club’s weekend camp to promote the sport to young people between 11 and 14 years old.

Dr Evans said there were a lot of times when he recommended that athletes turn off their apps while training.

The camp not only helps raise the profile of triathlon with young people, but Dr Evans' session introduces them to science in sport.

“Sport is a gateway for many students to get into STEM,” he said.

Dr Evans also helps Darwin’s young elite swimmers with strength and development training.