Harnessing Objective Data for Better Coaching

2025-03-19 11:44 Articles

The Journey into Objective Data

Hello, fellow coaches. My name is Damian Lawler. My coaching journey began in 1987 with school hockey, followed by strength and conditioning. My father was a state basketball coach and a national-level referee, so coaching was always a part of my life.

I started coaching Track and Field in Tasmania in 1996/97, after being approached by the TIS due to my work with AFL players. That year, my team had only five soft tissue injuries across an entire season, which drew attention from the Track and Field community. Apparently, I had a “gift” for spotting movement patterns—whether they were right or wrong. Over the last 25+ years, I’ve coached athletes across various sports, focusing primarily on sprinting.

Athletes coached by Damian Lawler—training, competing, and achieving success.

Achievements and Challenges

I helped athletes reach junior, senior state, national, and even international levels. I also coached in AFL, with 16 players drafted from Tasmania and experience consulting for VFL and AFL teams. Later, I worked with Tennis Australia as the Physical Performance Manager for Tasmania.

Despite my success, one major issue always troubled me: access to objective data.

In Track and Field, our elite talent pathway isolates athletes with a select few coaches. In Australia, we don’t have the numbers to afford this exclusivity. Plus, unless a coach had significant disposable income or worked for Athletics Australia, access to diagnostic tools was extremely limited.

The Search for Better Solutions

To compensate, I started filming and analyzing athlete movements myself. The challenge? Time. Spending hours editing videos after training wasn’t efficient. My experience with Tennis Australia reinforced how real-time assessment and feedback lead to faster improvements. However, in tennis, financial resources weren’t a barrier.

This led me to seek accessible, affordable technology—something that could revolutionize coaching. That’s when I discovered AiKYNETIX.

Discovering AiKYNETIX

One day, I received an email from AiKYNETIX encouraging me to explore their technology. Their phone-based app analyzed running and movement metrics—no expensive lab required. I reached out, and within minutes, I had a response.

Two years later, I am now the Oceania Business Development Lead for AiKYNETIX. What started as a simple treadmill-based running assessment tool has evolved into one of the fastest-growing movement analysis technologies globally.

What Makes AiKYNETIX Different?

Smartphone-Based – No need for expensive lab equipment.
Affordable Options – Suitable for all coaching levels.
Real-Time Feedback – Get instant movement metrics during activity.
AI-Powered Reporting – Generate reports with the latest scientific insights.
Comprehensive Instructional Notes – Understand the data and how to apply it.

AiKYNETIX Features

Running Assessment Metrics:

Speed, Pace, Cadence
Mechanical & Normalized Power
Balance & Contact Angle
Contact Time & Flight Time
Stride Length & Stride Time
Footstrike, Incline & Duration

Real-time Joint Angle Tracking (Torso, Forward Head Posture)

Measure running performance in real-time with AiKYNETIX.

Vertical Jump Analysis

A newly added tool, Vertical Jump Analysis, provides key insights into performance, fatigue, and injury recovery.

Jump Metrics Measured:

Peak Power & Modified RSI
Flight Height & Time
Eccentric & Concentric Contraction Times
Center of Mass Velocity at Takeoff
Max Ground Reaction Force at Takeoff & Landing

💡 Quick Tip: You can track the dynamics of takeoff force - a higher takeoff force means better ground force application and explosive power.

Track improvements in explosive power with AiKYNETIX’s vertical jump tool.

Injury Prevention & Load Monitoring

AiKYNETIX helps coaches monitor athlete fatigue. By comparing pre- and post-competition assessments, coaches can adjust training loads accordingly.

💡 Quick Tip: You can track the dynamics of jump heights - a drop in jump height is a well-documented sign of central and muscular fatigue.

Detect fatigue before it leads to injury with AiKYNETIX.

Weightlifting & Upcoming Features

AiKYNETIX has also introduced an Olympic Weightlifting Assessment and is working on tools for:

Sprinting & Horizontal Jumps (2025)
Walking Gait & Falls Risk Analysis
Range of Motion Assessment
Sports-Specific Analysis (Throwing, Basketball, Tennis, Discus, etc.)

Additionally, a Web-Based Platform offers expanded capabilities for teams, institutions, and researchers.

Access detailed movement analytics on any device with AiKYNETIX.

Final Thoughts

As a coach with 30+ years of experience, my advice is: embrace technology. Start with one or two key metrics, integrate them into your coaching, and expand as you gain confidence. AiKYNETIX allows you to validate your coaching instincts with data, leading to better training decisions and improved athlete outcomes.

If this article has sparked your interest, visit the AiKYNETIX website, download the app, and see how it can enhance your coaching.

Thanks for reading—I hope this insight helps you on your coaching journey!

AiKYNETIX Web Platform - advanced features ideal for professionals.
Run, Jump, Lift - AiKYNETIX | Run AiK | Jump AiK | Lift AiK - convenient on-the-go analysis.

📖 Explore More on This Topic:

1️⃣ Why Vertical Jumps May Be a Better Strength Test Than a 1RM Back Squat
2️⃣ How to Record Running Videos for AI-Powered Analysis: A Step-by-Step Guide
3️⃣ Comprehensive Guide to Recording and Analyzing CMJs
4️⃣ How to Record Weightlifting Workouts Accurately with the AiKYNETIX App
5️⃣ The Ultimate Guide to Vertical Jump Testing: Metrics, Monitoring, and Performance
6️⃣ Decoding the Countermovement Jump for True Performance Insights

Check them out for deeper insights!

Damian Lawler