Triathlete Sebastian Kienle: wearables and body awareness improve athletic performance

In the run-up to the trade fair, Sebastian Kienle sat down with MEDICA-tradefair.com to talk about his use of wearables in training and competition and he reveals when it actually makes more sense to listen to his body versus relying on data.

Mr. Kienle, what role do assistive technology and modern examination techniques in sports medicine and performance diagnostics play in your preparation for this competition?

Sebastian Kienle: They are the foundation for a great training schedule. Finding the best timing between high-intensity and relaxation periods and the right training stimulus is the only way to fuel your body for optimal performance. They also make your training and recovery more effective.

Do you use wearable technology for training or competition? What is the purpose and what data do you collect?

Kienle: Yes, I primarily use a Polar watch. My trainer uses the collected data to track how I sleep, to monitor my recovery and review training sessions in detail. That’s why I would actually expand the definition of the term "wearables" because I also consider a pulse leg recovery system (by NormaTec) and a portable electrostimulator (by Firefly) vital components of a better recovery and injury prevention.

When it comes to your performance, do you trust your own body and experience or rely on the recorded data? And why?

Kienle: When it comes to my state of fatigue, I tend to trust my gut instinct. Mental parameters play a key role when it comes to fatigue, but it can be difficult to measure them. Your gut instinct can be wrong when it comes to your body’s performance level. That is where data often delivers more accurate and objective results.

What do you think will be more important in professional sports in the future: technical equipment or the athlete’s skill?

Kienle: Ultimately, it certainly comes down to the athlete. However, he or she will only be able to make the most of his talent by using technology. It will not just be about collecting data, but also about properly analyzing and interpreting it. The sports sector can reap great benefits from big data and machine learning software. The software will help create the ideal custom training plan and give real-time feedback during training sessions. There will also be ways to predict the risk of injury or similar aspects.

Which innovations would you like to see coming out of sports medicine and from technology companies?

Kienle: The challenge in the future will be to blend the data we can already collect to get a bigger, more accurate picture. On the one hand, this requires better instruments and tools to collect this data during activity in the field. On the other hand, you will also need a central location where you can add the data for a more comprehensive picture. This data is highly sensitive, which means the location must ensure secure storage.

Are there any areas in your sport where you do not use assistive technology?

Kienle: Yes. At a certain point during the race, I have to make sure I beat my competition and do not just rely on my data. Data always indicates a limit – until I redefine this limit. Having said that, I also have to enjoy what I do. That aspect quickly falls by the wayside if I become a slave to technology. Yet it is often the crucial factor in the race.

What topic are you going to focus on at the 7th MEDICA MEDICINE + SPORTS CONFERENCE in November?

Kienle: I will talk about how we use technology in training and how its application has changed over the many years I have loved this sport.