IT at AC Milan gives injuries the red card

IT at AC Milan gives injuries the red card
Italian club scores with knowledge management system to monitor players' health and fitness
Daniel Thomas, vnunet.com 26 Jan 2004


Champions League winner AC Milan has reduced sporting injuries by 90 per cent with a knowledge management system to monitor players' performances.

The Italian club claims that Premiership teams could save millions by using data modelling rather than gut instinct to reduce financial losses from ill-informed transfer decisions.

Trials of the MilanLab system, which kicked off in July 2002, have helped slash injuries from 41 to three in three years.

AC Milan's medical director believes that greater analysis through neural network technology, which is being rolled out next season, will help the coach to select his team in future.

Designed by Computer Associates (CA), MilanLab collates fitness, body composition, mental and dietary information to predict the chances of a player picking up an injury.

The system uses a web portal that links PDAs, gym machines and medical instruments to three predictive analysis servers and knowledge storage systems.

Modelling techniques are used to predict how players can improve diet, training and mental attitude to hit peak performance.

AC Milan medical co-ordinator Dr Jean-Pierre Meersseman said: "When I joined the club five years ago there was very little fitness data on current or previous players.

"I wanted health data on successful past players like [Marco] Van Basten and [Ruud] Gullit so we could emulate past victories, but there was none. Often when a coach leaves a club so does knowledge of the players."

During the team's 2002-2003 Champions League winning season physical, mental and biochemical data was collected on more than 50 first team and youth players.

"We also have eTrust security management as it is vital to have security profiles to keep player information safe and ensure only those with permission can access the portal," said Fabrizio Tittarelli, delivery director at Computer Associates.

But AC Milan had to overcome player resistance and introduce data privacy agreements to footballers' contracts before the system could go fully live.

"When they realised that it would make them more healthy and prolong their playing career they became much more accepting," said Daniele Tognaccini, athletics coach at AC Milan.

A spokesman for CA said others were interested in the system. "We are in discussions with three European sporting organisations to roll similar technology as has been used at AC Milan."

http://www.networkitweek.co.uk/news/1152287

sounds good.
actually saw a documentary on tv about the milan lab coompared to juve's approach 'enough drugs to run a small hospital' it compared the two approaches. milan apparently only administer painkillers when absolutely neccesary

almilan!!

Actually, Milan lab is incredible and has helped our success a LOT! They deserve this kind of credit for their work

I believe a lot in Milan lab, it was our jolly for winning in the past two seasons

From: http://www.channel4.com/sport/footba...lia/jan8g.html

The medical staff has been key to the San Siro giants’ form this season, as Crespo has rediscovered his scoring touch after months of specialist treatment.

“Crespo has real quality and, although there are times when he has trouble making the most of it, this is something that does not disappear overnight. It is our job to do everything in order to make him relax and work to the peak of his potential.”

The Argentine was something of a flop at Chelsea, but he has blossomed under the guidance of his former Parma Coach.

“There have been other players who came here with problems and resolved them with the help of our staff,” continued Ancelotti. “It is not a coincidence, as Milan are a very organised club with the kind of structure that makes everything flow beautifully.”