This year, players on the Women’s Tennis Association circuit will be given access to a new personal health device that supplies comprehensive, real-time body performance data.
The device, the MightySat fingertip pulse oximeter, is manufactured by Masimo and will be put into immediate use by the sports science and medicine arm of the WTA. The device uses a fingertip pulse sensor to take measurements of various health factors like oxygen saturation, heart rate, respiration, and perfusion, which is a measure of blood flow. Athletes will be able to access their results using Masimo’s mobile health app to display and track the measurements.
The information will also—and perhaps most importantly—be used by the WTA’s licensed primary care physicians onsite at tournaments to ensure the continuous health of the players.
“We’re fortunate to have this new technology in the training room and on the court at the WTA. This equipment will aid our PHCPs in assessing player health and allow them to better service the immediate needs of our athletes,” said Kathleen Stroia, the WTA’s senior vice president of sports science and medicine, in a statement.
While the WTA’s primary care providers will be using the MightySat, the oximeter is actually designed for consumer and personal use, rather than clinical. Masimo also makes a medical version of the device specifically for medical professionals.
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SportTechie Takeaway
The WTA’s partnership with Masimo underlines the growing use of health data applications among professional sports organizations. The WTA is taking the health of its players seriously, even allowing the organization’s healthcare providers to take athletes’ measurements on the sidelines at its marquee tournaments. The WTA-Masimo deal could also open up partnerships with similar health data suppliers.