Marcel Tiggelman, Co-Founder of ORYX Movement Solutions: “Simply measuring data doesn’t automatically translate to valuable insights”

Marcel Tiggelman’s road from sound engineer to Co-Founder of ORYX Movement Solutions, which analyses human movement through sensors, may not seem obvious at first. But it isn’t as random as it seems.

“Manipulating the dynamics of sound was both an art and a science to me,” he said. “However, my focus dramatically shifted when I faced serious physical issues myself. After undergoing seven knee surgeries and enduring persistent pain, I found a new fascination in human movement, much like I did with sound.”

Rather than the dynamics of sound, Marcel told us, he now focuses “on the dynamics of human motor control”.

But Marcel isn’t just about the theory. He’s also a performance trainer and consultant at Dynamic Stability Training, where he uses the principles of dynamic systems theory to optimise performance and rehabilitation. “My approach is grounded in precise, data-driven analysis to develop personalised strategies that enhance both athletic performance and recovery,” he said.

In this interview, we focus on the technology behind ORYX Movement Solutions and in particular about the application of data to create insights. Arguably, this is the battlefield of technology that will define the 21st century. Whether you work in sports tech, have a lingering injury that still gives you pain or are a coach looking to give your athletes a data-driven advantage, this interview with Marcel Tiggelman holds the answer.

Related reading: Oliver Statham, Customer Operations Manager at NMES Group: “The integration of sensors into wearable devices has significantly expanded the accessibility and versatility of monitoring solutions”

Tell us your elevator pitch

At ORYX Movement Solutions, we harness cutting-edge sensor technology to uncover hidden aspects of human movement that are otherwise invisible to the naked eye. Our advanced algorithms, grounded in dynamic systems theory, analyse motion with unparalleled precision, revealing subtle deviations and compensatory strategies the body adopts when faced with physical limitations.

Understanding movement is crucial because the body often betrays underlying issues through alternative movement patterns. When injuries or physical restrictions occur, the body instinctively compensates, altering its natural mechanics to cope with the impairment. These changes, while subtle, can lead to further complications if left unaddressed.

Our sensor-based analysis provides a detailed, almost real-time view of these compensatory movements, offering insights that traditional optical observation methods simply cannot. This allows for a more accurate diagnosis of physical issues and enables the development of targeted interventions to correct these patterns. By illuminating the unseen intricacies of movement, we empower athletes, rehabilitation professionals and sports organisations to enhance performance, prevent injuries and promote effective recovery.

With ORYX GO – the name of our product – you’re not just observing movement; you’re unlocking a deeper understanding of the body’s language. Our technology bridges the gap between visible performance and hidden potential, ensuring that every step taken is a step towards optimal health and performance.

Sports tech and movement analysis

What is it about sports tech that excites you? What made you get into this sector?

What excites me most about our technology at ORYX Movement Solutions is the unique ability to make the invisible visible. My fascination with mastering intangible elements began in the realm of sound, where I worked as a sound engineer. Manipulating the dynamics of sound was both an art and a science to me. However, my focus dramatically shifted when I faced serious physical issues myself. After undergoing seven knee surgeries and enduring persistent pain, I found a new fascination in human movement, much like I did with sound.

It was a frustrating time, as I struggled with my complaints while receiving no concrete answers from movement professionals, orthopaedic surgeons, physiotherapists and trainers. The common message was that I would have to learn to live with the pain. This was unacceptable to me. I decided to take matters into my own hands and delve into the world of motor control and motor learning. During this journey, I discovered the power of sensor technology and data analysis.

The technology we have developed at ORYX Movement Solutions allows us to perform deep movement analyses, revealing subtle, often invisible, alternative movement strategies the body adopts when faced with physical limitations. This insight was the key to my recovery and pain relief, and I knew it could make a difference for others as well.

Our formula for analysing movement through sensor technology has, after years of development, resulted in a powerful product. This product enables therapists and trainers to understand and address the deeper layers of human movement. It provides them with the tools to not only treat symptoms but also tackle the underlying causes of movement problems.

The most exciting aspect of this technology is its potential to change lives, just as it changed mine. It allows people to look beyond the limitations imposed on them and offers solutions that were previously unthinkable. The fact that we can now share these deep insights and help others fills me with immense pride and enthusiasm for what the future holds.

Related: How cloud computing transformed football – even at park level

What sports does your tech apply to? And have you been surprised by its use?

Our core expertise lies in analysing running mechanics, so our technology is highly applicable to any sport where running plays a significant role. This obviously includes athletics, soccer, rugby, American football, baseball and field hockey. In these sports, our technology can contribute to increasing injury resilience, optimising injury rehabilitation and enhancing performance.

Recently, we have also started focusing on the throwing motion, with a primary emphasis on baseball pitching. By applying our advanced sensor technology and data analysis, we aim to provide insights and improvements in these areas as well.

I am not surprised by the broad application of our technology, as the principles of movement analysis we use are fundamental to various sports disciplines. Our goal is to continue expanding and refining our technology to support athletes across a wide range of sports in achieving their best performance while minimising the risk of injury.

Using data to improve sports performance and prevent injury

Can you give an example of a complex problem in sports that you – or your company – have been involved in tackling with technology?

We move to perform tasks which can solve a problem, and the chosen movement is essentially the solution to the problem we face. The better we move, the better our movement solution is, and the higher the likelihood of successfully completing the task. Movement quality, or technique, plays a crucial role in this process.

Traditionally, sports performance analysis has struggled to effectively capture movement quality, often providing more of a quantitative description rather than a qualitative analysis. The qualitative analysis, essentially the expert opinion, is crucial for understanding and improving technique. The challenging part lies in bridging the gap between quantitative data and this expert opinion. This is where ORYX Movement Solutions excels.

As a trainer myself, I understand the demands and expectations of data. I know what I’m looking for in terms of movement quality and how to interpret quantitative data to derive meaningful, qualitative insights. Our technology leverages advanced sensor technology and data-driven analysis to provide detailed, qualitative assessments of movement quality. This enables us to not only measure how much an athlete moves but to deeply understand how well they move.

For instance, in sports like soccer or rugby, traditional methods might quantify aspects like distance covered or speed. Our technology, however, can analyse the intricacies of running technique, identifying inefficiencies and compensatory patterns that could lead to injuries or suboptimal performance. By bridging the gap between quantitative data and expert opinion, we provide actionable insights that allow coaches and trainers to make more informed decisions about training interventions, ultimately leading to better performance and reduced injury risk.

Our work in analysing throwing motions in baseball is another example. Traditional metrics might measure the velocity and angle of a pitch, but our technology delves into the quality of the pitching motion itself. By identifying subtle flaws and providing targeted feedback, we help pitchers refine their technique, enhancing both performance and durability.

In summary, our technology has revolutionised the way movement quality is analysed. By effectively bridging the gap between quantitative data and expert opinion, we deliver comprehensive, qualitative assessments that drive better training and performance outcomes. This unique capability allows athletes to achieve their best through improved movement solutions.

Related: Whit Jackson, Vice President, VP Global M&E at Wasabi Technologies: “AI is having a massive impact on sports that cannot be overlooked”

Thinking of injury prevention and/or recovery, what are some technology and/or science developments you’ve found particularly fascinating?

This question ties directly into my previous answer. Most traditional technologies are based on classical approaches that are highly quantitative and descriptive in nature. While they can provide a lot of data, they often fall short in delivering qualitative insights into movement quality.

The significant breakthrough in biomechanical research, in my opinion, is the application of dynamic systems theory (DST). This theory diverges from the classical linear approaches by focusing on the complexity and variability of human movement. Traditional methods often view movement as a series of isolated, linear events. In contrast, DST considers movement as a result of interactions within a complex system, including the body, the environment, and the task at hand. This holistic view allows for a deeper understanding of movement patterns and their adaptability.

The dynamic systems theory provides us with the tools to truly quantify the quality of movement. By examining how various components of the body interact dynamically, we can identify subtle changes and compensatory strategies that are crucial for injury prevention and recovery. This approach is particularly effective in both sports and technology/software because it accounts for the non-linear and adaptive nature of human movement.

In sports, DST helps in creating training programs that enhance movement efficiency and resilience by focusing on the entire system rather than just isolated parts. This leads to more effective injury prevention strategies and optimized performance. In technology and software, the principles of DST enable us to develop advanced algorithms and analytical tools that can capture and analyse the complexity of movement with great precision.

At ORYX Movement Solutions, we have integrated DST into our sensor technology and data analysis processes. This integration allows us to provide comprehensive, qualitative assessments of movement, bridging the gap between quantitative data and expert opinion. The ability to quantify movement quality through DST has been a game-changer, offering deeper insights and more effective solutions for injury prevention and recovery. This approach not only enhances the performance of athletes but also contributes significantly to their long-term health and well-being.

Opportunities and pitfalls in sports tech

What do you believe is the biggest opportunity in sports tech right now?

The biggest opportunity in sports tech right now lies in our ability to better understand and measure the behaviour of complex systems. As we deepen our understanding of these systems, we can develop more precise and meaningful methods of measurement. However, it’s crucial to recognise that simply measuring data doesn’t automatically translate to valuable insights. While numbers themselves don’t lie, the interpretation of those numbers can be misleading.

To ensure that our measurements are truly meaningful, it’s essential that what we measure is relevant and accurately reflects the complexities of human movement. This requires a collaborative approach between scientists and practitioners. Scientists should not operate in isolation but engage in ongoing conversations with experts in the field. Listening to these practitioners, understanding their terminology, and contextualising their insights within the framework of dynamic systems theory (DST) is key.

By bridging the gap between scientific research and practical application, we can identify and define meaningful parameters and variables that genuinely reflect the quality of movement. This collaborative effort ensures that the data we collect is not only accurate but also practically applicable, leading to better training, injury prevention and performance optimisation.

In essence, the true potential of sports tech lies in integrating the expertise of scientists and practitioners to develop a holistic understanding of complex systems. This integration will enable us to create more effective tools and technologies that enhance athlete performance and well-being. The future of sports tech depends on this collaborative approach, where measurement and understanding go hand in hand, ensuring that the insights we gain are both accurate and actionable.

When it comes to technology, what is the most common mistake you see sports organisations make?

A common mistake I see sports organisations make is an over-reliance on the power of data without fully understanding what is being measured and how to interpret it.

There’s a widespread belief in the potential of data to enhance performance and inform decisions. However, when faced with the data, many organisations realise they lack the expertise to discern what is truly measurable and how to extract actionable insights from it.

Often, these organisations do not invest the necessary time and energy into thorough research and understanding. Instead of taking the time to delve deeply into the data, learn the nuances and explore new methodologies, they tend to fall back on their old habits and traditional approaches. This reluctance to fully embrace and integrate new technology and data-driven insights prevents them from reaping the full benefits of modern advancements in sports tech.

To leverage the true power of data, it’s crucial for sports organisations to commit to continuous learning and adaptation. This involves not only acquiring data but also developing a comprehensive understanding of its implications, training staff to interpret and utilise it effectively, and remaining open to evolving practices based on new findings. Without this commitment, the potential of data remains largely untapped, and the promise of technology-driven improvement goes unfulfilled.