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Why Standardizing Performance Data is Essential for Sports Teams Today
Historically, sports medicine has been plagued by inconsistent and fragmented documentation.
Every practitioner records injuries and treatments differently, which can lead to miscommunication at best and suboptimal care at worst.
With ARMS Health, we’ve been at the confluence of this significant shift towards standardizing medical records and performance data. This change is driven by the increasing demands of modern sports, where every decision can profoundly impact an athlete’s career and a team’s success.
When you’re managing the health and performance of athletes who are the lifeblood of their teams, there’s no room for ambiguity. Standardization ensures that everyone—whether in Montreal, Manchester, or Madrid—is speaking the same language when it comes to athlete health.
If athletes must get on the same page with the team playbook, the medical personnel must also strive to be referencing consistent information to put those players in a place to succeed.
From fragmentation to cohesion: The impact of standardized data
The benefits of standardized documentation go beyond just improving communication.
My experience with the Montreal Canadiens underscores how standardized systems lead to better care during an athlete’s career and beyond. Much of my foundational R&D work there helped shape a deep understanding of the realities faced by modern sports organizations. Whether you’re in the Premier League, MLB, or NHL, the critical message is that it helps put yourself in the client’s cleats.
That shared understanding creates an environment where multidisciplinary teams, including therapists, doctors, and coaches, can make informed decisions based on consistent and reliable data.
Standardized data also allows more effective use of analytics. A unified system where all injuries, treatments, and performance metrics are recorded uniformly, teams can better predict and prevent injuries, optimize training regimens, and maintain comprehensive health portfolios for each athlete. This approach enhances the athlete’s performance and extends their career longevity, ultimately benefiting the entire organization.
Moving through resistance: The path to industry-wide standardization
While the benefits may be clear, implementing standardization across the sports landscape has many challenges.
The most common obstacle is resistance. Additionally, coding systems present unique challenges, such as the North American ICD-10 versus European Orchard codes.
Our approach to customization and adaptability addresses this challenge head-on. By developing flexible systems to integrate with existing regional standards, we ensure the transition to standardized documentation is smooth and effective. Our goal is not to impose a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, we work in partnership with leagues and federations, evolving our systems in collaboration to meet the team’s specific needs.
The next frontier: Centralizing performance data for enhanced decision-making
The next significant trend in sports performance management will be centralizing all athlete-related data. We predict that breaking down the silos between different types of data—such as biomechanical, mental health, and environmental factors—will be crucial for providing a holistic view of an athlete’s health and performance.
Imagine having all this information in one place, where decision-makers can access it quickly and securely. This isn’t just a possibility; it’s the future of sports management.
Centralizing data will streamline decision-making and improve its accuracy and efficiency. For example, quick access to standardized data could allow a team’s medical staff to make informed decisions during critical moments, such as assessing an injury during a game.
Historical data will help teams apply insights to prevent future injuries and improve overall team performance.
Final Thoughts: Standardization is no longer an option
Standardization in sports performance and health management is no longer just an option—it’s a necessity.
As the industry continues to evolve, adopting standardized systems will ensure that teams and leagues can meet the growing demands of modern sports while providing the best possible care for their athletes.
By embracing these systems, professional sporting organizations can position sports directors, heads of medical, and trainers in place to unlock the team’s full potential.
