GPS technology utilization and athletic performance in university student-athletes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55040/va75tn96Keywords:
GPS technology, sports training, athletic performance, training load, university student-athletesAbstract
Global Positioning System (GPS) technology has become an important tool in sports training for monitoring performance and supporting evidence-based decision-making. This study examined the utilization of GPS technology in sports training and its relationship with athletic performance outcomes among university student-athletes, with emphasis on the mediating role of GPS-derived training load indicators. A quantitative, descriptive–correlational design with mediation analysis was employed. Participants included 75 university student-athletes from five varsity sports who were regularly exposed to GPS-based monitoring during training and competition. Data were gathered using researcher-developed questionnaires on GPS utilization and athletic performance outcomes, complemented by GPS-derived training load indicators. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and regression-based mediation analysis were used. Results showed that GPS technology was utilized to a very great extent, and athletic performance outcomes were rated at a very high level. A significant positive relationship was found between GPS technology utilization and athletic performance outcomes. However, GPS-derived training load indicators did not significantly mediate this relationship. Based on the findings, an enhancement framework was proposed emphasizing structured GPS utilization, data interpretation, and informed training management. The study concludes that effective integration of GPS technology supports athletic performance among university student-athletes.
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