The Sun Filter at use in Waikato
The team at University of Waikato (UoW) Adams Centre for High Performance was the first to benefit from the Sun Filter, which shades the appearance of the sun’s extreme sunlight by eliminating certain frequencies of infrared light it emits. The result is a noise-free image executed without reducing capture frequency.
Dr. Kim Hébert-Losier and her team took on the task of running through a series of tests to prove the efficiency of the Sun Filter. The Centre has recently expanded into a marvelous performance facility, as she and the staff members exhibit their expertise and range of knowledge in human movement in elite athletics.
The University of Waikato Adams Centre for High Performance is New Zealand’s newest cutting-edge, high-performance sport facility. It provides a world class environment in the Bay of Plenty Region for the nation’s top athletes. The centre opened in April 2016 through innovation and partnership between Tauranga City Council, Bay Venues, and the University of Waikato.
The UoW team runs a state-of-the-art sports science laboratory complete with a new eight-camera Qualisys 7+ camera system, 16-channel Delsys TrignoTM EMG and IMU system, 15-m Optojump Infrared system, timing lights, force plates, and high-speed video cameras. The centre also houses one of New Zealand’s only environmental chambers with atmospheric, heat, and humidity capabilities.
The UoW sport science laboratory acts as an education and research hub working closely with coaches, athletes, sport organizations, and industry partners to answer real-world questions and provide end-users with practical solutions and outcomes.
The Qualisys 7+ system and its outdoor capabilities play a central role in bringing the laboratory to the field, testing athletes in a more eco-valid environment. Some of UoW research projects involve work with rugby, triathlon, running, track cycling, and track and field.
The UoW Adams Centre for High Performance also includes a 650 square meter / 7000 square foot gym, recovery pools, lecture rooms, athletes lounge, fully-equipped kitchen, and sports medicine services. The centre is home to New Zealand Rugby 7s and Bay of Plenty Rugby, and acts a training center for several sports team and athletes, including Northern Districts Cricket and New Zealand Speed Development Academy.
The main Sports Science team includes Dr. Kim Hébert-Losier (biomechanics), Dr. Martyn Beaven (physiology and biochemistry), Dr. Stacy Sims (physiology and nutrition), and Dr. Daniel Travis McMaster (strength and conditioning), who work in close collaboration to advance knowledge in sport science and translate research into evidence-based practice.
I was extremely impressed by the outdoor capabilities and the high sampling frequency of the system with several National Sporting Organizations having already expressed interest in using the system.
Dr. Kim Hébert-Losier
Want to know more?
Read more about the University of Waikato Adams Centre for High Performance-Air by following the link below.