USF Uses Heart Monitors To Keep Athletes Safe

The University of San Francisco Dons had an unexpectedly good season this year.

They’re an inexperienced team -- not big or fast, but they played smart and didn't get tired.

Rex Walters, USF basketball coach, said that fatigue makes cowards of everyone and when people are fatigued they don’t see things clearly.

The Dons had great coaching, but in games and in every practice USF players used a secret weapon -- strap-on wireless heart monitors.

Every player wore one and they were linked to a screen that a coach constantly monitored.

The heart monitor warned of over-exertion.

“Does it give us an advantage? Yeah, it gives advantage, 'cause we know how hard we can push our guys,” Walters said.

Walters said he discovered that he had been pushing players too hard.

Just this month, University of Washington researchers released a report that said that during, or within an hour of play, a heart attack kills one or two college players a year.

Basketball is by far the riskiest college sport. Every year, one out of every 3,000 players in men’s division 1 basketball dies.

Heart monitors could save lives.

“What we're doing is for their benefit,” said Evan Nielsen, USF strength and conditioning coach. “We're trying to prolong the longevity of their careers, keep them healthy keep them safe,”

It was tough to get the veteran players to adapt to wearing the heart monitors, but the younger players didn't know the difference, Nielson said.

In games, coaches rested players based on their individual monitor readings.

Those who over-exerted themselves got extra days off to recover.

Players said that eventually they got used to wearing the monitor strap.

Junior Jay Wei said that compared to seasons past, he felt less tired and more alert.

“When we're fatigued we make bad decisions, so you notice when you're really tired you also make bad decisions,” Wei said.

Freshman Khalil Murphy said the system helped him get in better shape.

“It really shows what you are, especially recovery, it shows your recovery time and everything so it really helps you a lot,” Murphy said.

About 15 teams in the nation now use the computer and software system, but it's not cheap.

Wireless transmitters costs well over $10,000.

“If we save one life, because every kid is wearing these heart rate monitors, isn't it worth it?,” Walters said. “I would love to see every team in America wearing these things to make sure our young people are safe when they're on the floor.”