Catapult
The premier athlete load and performance analytics platform born from wearable sensors.
Catapult powers the sensor-packed vests worn by athletes. Utilizing GPS and inertial sensors to record running distance, accelerations, decelerations, and impact loads, it lets coaches know exactly how fatigued a player is—backed by hard numbers, not guesswork.
Features and Use Cases
Quantifying training and match physical loads into comparable metrics, the system allows coaches to identify players with consistently high workloads or declining explosiveness, adjusting training volumes accordingly. Over recent years, the platform has expanded from standalone wearable hardware into an all-in-one ecosystem integrating video analysis and tactical tools, combining physical data with game footage. Trusted by over 4,000 teams globally, it is especially prominent in rugby, American football, and soccer.
It is ideally suited for professional, semi-professional, and collegiate sports teams with dedicated strength and conditioning staff. Organizations looking to adopt similar load monitoring must carefully weigh hardware costs against data literacy—without someone to interpret the metrics, those vests are just expensive gear.
Key Features
- GPS and inertial sensor-based running load tracking
- Acceleration, deceleration, and impact count statistics
- Training load trend and injury risk alerts
- Video and tactical analysis integration
- Cross-season athlete physical database
Common Use Cases
- Training load monitoring
- Injury risk forecasting
- Seasonal physical conditioning planning
- Athlete return-to-play assessment
Key Features
- GPS and inertial sensor-based running load tracking
- Acceleration, deceleration, and impact count statistics
- Training load trend and injury risk alerts
- Video and tactical analysis integration
- Cross-season athlete physical database
Pros
- Objective physical data reduces the risk of guesswork in roster management
- Widely adopted by professional teams, establishing an industry-standard metric language
- Data can be accumulated and compared across multiple seasons
Cons
- High hardware and subscription costs
- Requires sports science professionals to interpret data effectively
- GPS accuracy can be limited in indoor environments
Use Cases
- Training load monitoring
- Injury risk forecasting
- Seasonal physical conditioning planning
- Athlete return-to-play assessment
Editor's Note
The true value of sports science isn't just making athletes stronger—it's keeping them from getting injured at the wrong time. That's what Catapult is really selling.
FAQ
Can it be used in indoor arenas?
Yes, but indoor environments require inertial sensors and local positioning systems to compensate for poor GPS reception. Accuracy and setup differ from outdoor use, so stadium conditions should be verified with the vendor prior to implementation.
Is it worth the investment for smaller teams?
If you lack a dedicated strength and conditioning coach, hold off. Data alone doesn't make decisions; you need someone to adjust training schedules based on load curves, otherwise you're just left with a pile of reports nobody understands.