Does Technology Disconnect Us?

Data and Its Place in Human Performance

Data exists to inform practitioners. Practitioners identify and solve problems. By itself, data is just symbols and numbers. It takes an expert to interpret that data, offer actionable insights, and drive change. But is it really making us better? Perhaps. Healthier? Not so much. Despite advances in "pre-hab," "sports-specific training," and cutting-edge systems, injury rates continue to rise.

Have We Lost Touch? Humans experience the world through sight, sound, touch, taste, and smell. But how can we fully engage when we’re glued to screens? For athletes, this disconnection can run deep. Imagine constantly being told how you feel, how you’re supposed to feel, and what you’ll feel next. It diminishes intuition and self-awareness.

We’ve also forgotten the art of conversation and observation. Take Nick Saban, for instance. His office faced the parking lot so he could watch players arrive. Why? To read their body language. He was practicing sport science—monitoring stress responses and adapting accordingly. If players limped in or seemed off, he adjusted.

Overdoing Data We’ve taken data too far. And by "we," I mean me. I chased every data point, convinced I could predict outcomes with enough information. But instead of gaining clarity, I disconnected—from athletes, my family, and myself. My wife once reminded me how much I missed during our first child’s early years because I was too focused on studying and analyzing.

This made me question everything: Does the perfect profiling system matter? Can it truly predict performance, improve programming, or prevent injury? Too often, we complicate things to showcase knowledge, creating value through unnecessary complexity.

Back to Basics: D.R.I.P. As Stu McMillan often says, the best systems are simple and focused. For me, it’s all about D.R.I.P.: Dose, Response, Intervention, and Profiling.

1. Dose: What’s the training load? Understand the stress—volume, intensity, and density. GPS is helpful, but so is a simple conversation.
2. Response: How is the athlete reacting? Use tools like force plates or just ask them how they feel.
3. Intervention: This is where coaching shines. If an athlete feels stiff and heavy after a high-intensity session, how do you adjust? That’s the art—not the spreadsheet.
4. Profiling: Dive deep. Assess structural capabilities, risks, and performance gaps. Use these insights to plan backward and adapt as needed.

Flexibility Is Key Planning is crucial, but life is unpredictable. Overly rigid, year-long plans often crumble when the unexpected happens.

The Human Element Technology and data have their place, but let’s not forget the human element. Simplify. Engage. Observe. The best insights come not from devices but from genuine connection.

Thanks for reading.