Launched in 2021, Project SAMson brings the latest technology, data analysis and sports medicine practices together in one place to enhance the training regimen of all Samford student-athletes across 17 NCAA Division I programs.
Project SAMson is a combined initiative by Samford University, Samford University Athletics, Andrews Sports Medicine, American Sports Medicine Institute, Samford University’s Brock School of Business and College of Health Sciences, and the Center for Sports Analytics to create a new approach to sports performance.
This initiative brings the latest technology, data analysis and sports medicine practices together in one place to enhance the training regimen of all Samford student-athletes across 17 NCAA Division I programs with the goal of athletic performance enhancement through improved strength and conditioning training, reduced injury risk, advanced injury prediction and treatment, and data-driven return to play protocols.
“Project SAMson has been a complete game changer for our football team.
“The equipment and technology have allowed our players to train more effectively and efficiently. Our team became faster and stronger. It allowed us to keep our team in excellent shape while not fatiguing them. The difference in us being near champions in previous years and Conference Champions this year is directly related to the benefits our team received through Project SAMson. ”
—Chris Hatcher, Head Coach, Samford Football
Goals and Objectives
- The goal of Project SAMson is to marshal the finest resources available in sports medicine and human performance to create a one-of-a-kind training environment. Project SAMson harnesses the power of data analytics so that all Samford student-athletes can benefit from enhanced strength and conditioning training, reduced injury risk, advanced injury prediction and treatment, and data-driven return to play protocols.
- Project SAMson allows Samford Sports Medicine to capture real-time data on all student-athletes. The data is used to create player profiles for the evaluation and treatment of injuries.
- Project SAMson provides enhanced opportunities for student learning across both athletics and academic programs, including internships with ASMI and Andrews Sports Medicine, additional clinical placements, and student/faculty research projects. Project SAMson affords Samford students the opportunity to gain invaluable real-world experience without ever leaving campus.
- To prepare individuals for a career in sports analytics, Samford’s Center for Sports Analytics partners with academic departments on Samford’s campus to offer rigorous sports analytics curricula for mathematically gifted and highly motived candidates paired with a real-world analytics internship in the sports industry. The center’s mission encompasses all areas where analytics impacts sports including fan engagement, sponsorship, player tracking, sports medicine, sports media and operations.
Equipment
Phase I
The first phase of the project calls for the following equipment enhancements at Sullivan-Cooney Field House and the Pete Hanna Center weight rooms:
- New weight racks with the Elite Form Program. Elite Form is a velocity and biochemical screening tool to ensure proper form, count reps and real-time tracking data that allows Samford’s STC staff the ability to review each workout.
- Polar wearable GPS monitors for Soccer, Men’s and Women’s Basketball
- Vert wearable GPS monitors for Volleyball
- Catapult wearable GPS monitors for Football
- Fusion Timing Gates for speed drills
- Hand Dynamometers for Samford Sports Medicine. These dynamometers measure force for specific joints and muscles to have pre-and-post injury data points to help return athletes to play following surgery or treatment.
- Apple IPads for Samford Sports Medicine and Performance to use in data analysis and collection.
Phase II
The second phase of the project includes the following:
- Data aggregation system to house student-athlete profiles
- 1080 Sprint: A portable resistance training device for sprints and change of direction movements. With the use of a tether with a computer attached to it, it is able to add specific resistance while measuring power, force, speed and acceleration with high accuracy.
- Kinexon: Wearable technology that will be used to track data for the athletes on the men’s and women’s basketball teams. The data includes changes of direction, accelerations, decelerations, the height of jumps and much more.
- Exxentrix KBox: A flywheel training system that is used for both upper and lower body movements. It collects the athlete’s data while training rapid eccentric movements and stopping power.
- Vald ForceDecks: Wireless dual force platforms to analyze balance, strength and movement strategies in a range of exercises and jumps. This technology will help improve sports medicine in regards to when a player is ready to return after an injury and improve the performance of the athletes.