Quicker, fitter, stronger: RTMNU buys fitness vests for Khelo India players

By Paritosh Pramanik

WITH an aim to produce medal winning players, Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU)  has decided to monitor players’ fitness, stamina and other parameters and further enhance their performances with the help of technology. 

RTMNU’s Sports and Physical Education Department has purchased fitness vests for players those selected for Khelo India Centre and will monitor their progress through these chip-attached vests. 

The demonstration of vests/belts was done at Department’s office and at Subhedar Hall on Monday evening.

“Initially we will be using these vests at Khelo India Centre. The vests will have to be configured as per the demands of sport. We will ask members of concerned sport to provide us their requirements and the company (Kamla Tech Company) will work on our demands and provide the fully equipped vests,” Dr Sharad Suryawanshi, Director, Department of Sports and Physical Education, RTMNU told ‘The Hitavada’ after the demonstration.

The sensors are located in the middle of the vest (near to heart) of a sportsperson. The vest can be used for yoga, training, running and other all day activities. The vest has three sensors attached to it. The sensors can also give an audio alert when connected with mobile devices,” claimed Shishir Tyagi, Assistant Director,   Wool Research Association. “The device can run on third party applications also. It can be connected with Android, IOS and Windows 10 platforms,” he mentioned.

Dr Suryawanshi said RTMNU has purchased eight vests at present and at later stage the number can be increased.

“Initially, we will be using eight vests for Khelo India players. 

“Later, we can use them for our university players also once more  features and other required details are added to the product,” said Dr Suryawanshi.

RTMNU has  Khelo India Coaching Centre for athletics, badminton, handball and basketball at its ground in Ravi Nagar.

On Monday evening, demonstration was given on a couple of badminton players at Subhedar Hall. Live tracking of heart rate, calories burnt, steps taken etc were calculated.

Dr Suryawanshi believed that with these vests, players’ stamina, power and speed can be gauged. “After that we can work on different areas of players to make them much faster, stronger and fitter,” he said.

“The smart fitness vests with inbuilt sensors will help users to understand the effectiveness of their workout scientifically. The short, mid and long term analysis of the physiological markers, which the vest can provide, will also help the sportsperson to determine which workout is more efficient and impactful on his/her body,” explained Tyagi.

During the demonstration RTMNU Senate Member Arjuna and Dronacharya award winner Vijay Munishwar, Management Council Member Vishnu Changde, Ravindra Tong, Mangesh Mopkar, Atmaram Pande, Inderjeet Singh Randhawa, Dr Zakir Khan, Vijay Ghichare, Shoeb Khan, Nikita Raut, Jitendra Ghordadekar, Sayali Waghmare, Smita Bakre, Jayendra Dhole, Dr Manoj Ambadkar, Dr Vibekanand Singh, Dr Sudhir Sahare, Dr Nitin Jangitwar, Dr Amit Kanwar, Dr Sayma Siddique, Piyush Ambulkar and others were present.