Wearable Biofeedback Device Scores An Ace at Tennis Pro Conference

Main Category: Sports Medicine / Fitness
Article Date: 14 Mar 2005 - 10:00 PDT

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New Training Technology Improves Performance, Reduces Injuries -

At this year's Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) conference, some of the most influential individuals in the tennis industry experienced a revolutionary new concept. A tiny, wearable biofeedback device called The Ultimate Balance Trainer immediately created a stir by showing the assembled experts how to quickly and dramatically increase their students' performance on the court.

The Ultimate Balance Trainer uses electronic motion sensors, software analysis and voice synthesis, all in a tiny device that weighs 1.5 oz and attaches to the user's headgear with Velcro.

"Balance is the essential link between technical ability and performance, but is very difficult to teach," stated Vic Braden, former ATP Tour player and the world's best-know tennis author and sports scientist. "The Ultimate Balance Trainer is an idea whose time has come. It will soon be the standard for developing balance in tennis and all athletics."

"I've tried the Ultimate Balance Trainer with many of my students and found that it has an immediate impact on their game," added tennis teaching pro and former ATP top-40 player Bud Schultz. "It allows them to move better, play the game better, and master techniques that they've never been able to accomplish in the past."

The PTR invited Ultimate Balance company founder Rhys Thomas to present a talk on balance training at the conference, indicating the genuine interest shared by tennis professionals about how to teach balance and its impact on performance and injury prevention. Balance training and ability have also become increasingly important on the Pro Tour.

"The Ultimate Balance Trainer is ideal as part of a lesson plan or during individual practice," says Thomas. "Balance is a part of tennis that can now be coached and improved and young athletes in all sports should develop core balance skills as a fundamental aspect of their training. Good balance also allows the older athlete to keep on performing while avoiding injuries."

For more information on Ultimate Balance and the leading tennis professionals who are already using the Trainer, or to place an order, visit the company's Web site at ultimatebalance.com. Ultimate Balance is based near Boston, Massachusetts.

Rhys Thomas is a USPTA Professional and a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. His experience at the intersection of tennis and martial arts was instrumental in the development of the Ultimate Balance Trainer as a balance-teaching tool for tennis professionals and other athletes and coaches.

Rhys has been Director of Tennis at the Dedham Country and Polo Club in Dedham, Massachusetts, for the last 15 years. Rhys is also a member of the National Head/Penn Advisory Staff.

Media Contact:
Deborah West, 508-497-0881 (dwest7@comcast.net)
Company Contact:
Chris Noble, 617-620-4747 (cnoble@ultimatebalance.com)

Ultimate Balance
http://www.ultimatebalance.com

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