A major leap in fitness tracking technology at the Paris Olympics

Performance Data Management Software (PDMS) is a sophisticated software platform for elite athletes and their support teams. It gathers a wide range of data from athletes such as medical records, daily athlete input training and objective measurements from sensors and wearable devices. Analysing this combined data provides coaches and medical staff with a complete picture of an athlete’s journey and progress over time.

PDMS goes beyond tracking metrics. It uses data to tell an athlete’s preparation story, enabling better decision-making for elite-level performance. PDMS also leverages subjective data such as personal input from athletes to deliver more of an objective data analysis. This provides increased accuracy for decision making, injury prevention, training effectiveness and tailoring recovery and performance plans.

Following the success of TeamGB at the London 2012 Games, the English Institute of Sport (EIS) was determined to pursue ways to sustain medal success. The head of Athlete Health at EIS, Glenn Hunter, explained that the system they were originally relying on could not capture the full range of data needed to drive good decision-making by support staff. This prompted EIS to enlist help from a leading UK software development agency, Rocketmakers.

In collaboration with Team GB athletes, Rocketmakers developed an accredited app and system called the Performance Data Management System which is used to track athletes’ health and performance. This app harnesses powerful data processing assets to identify patterns and areas for improvement. A specific use case of the PDMS application was during preparations for the Tokyo 2020 games, analysing how respiratory illnesses caused major setbacks during the competition. The solution has also been essential when empowering GB athletes to be on top form for the upcoming Paris 2024 games.

Emma Wiggs, a 2016 and 2020 games gold medallist stated that: “PDMS was crucial in the run-up to Rio… and a real step forward in terms of our daily training and allowing us to log everything.”

PDMS has become an integral part of elite athlete training and management in Britain. It has been credited for its contribution to Team GB's record performance at the 2016 Rio Games and the 2020 Tokyo Games, and it will be crucial in the upcoming Paris Games.