ŌURA and Colorado Rapids team up to provide critical insights into player recovery and health ahead of playoff run

Rest and recovery – two essential components to an athlete’s on-field performance – are now monitored and analyzed by the Colorado Rapids through Oura Ring in partnership with UCHealth.

“UCHealth provides innovative care every day to improve lives in the communities we serve,” said Manny Rodriguez, UCHealth Chief Marketing, Experience and Customer Officer. “As the official healthcare partner of the Colorado Rapids, we are excited to help their players improve their overall health and support their pursuit of a second MLS Cup title.”

Felix Proessl, Senior Director of Sport and Data Science, and Kyle Porter, Strength and Conditioning Coach, used the players’ rings to monitor sleep, readiness and recovery factors in the remaining weeks of the MLS postseason.

“The Oura ring is an interesting piece of technology because it looks quite simple, but is actually quite complex,” says Proessl. “It uses a technology called photoplethysmography. It shines a light into your skin and based on its absorption it can detect changes in your heart rate, blood volume and even skin temperature. So that’s very useful for us because those are measurements that are closely related to sleep. Not only can we measure how rested athletes are, we can also get a good indication of your health status day to day… Some of the key metrics we look at are resting heart rate, which is essentially the lowest heart rate measured during the night. Each person has some kind of individual threshold. But by following the same athlete over time we get a good idea of ​​where he or she is.

Oura rings contain a wide range of biometric data, including resting heart rate, blood oxygen levels, breathing and heart rate variability and more. Their ability to collect accurate measurements – without compromising player comfort – is highly appreciated by players and staff alike.

As the Rapids compete in the playoffs, the Oura Rings are essential for monitoring players’ recovery for the most effective approach to practices, games and rest days. As players lie awake at night, analyzing their games, agitated by nerves and dealing with family responsibilities, the rings can measure how much (or how little) rest they get. These statistics are then analyzed by Proessl, Porter and the rest of the coaching staff to use players appropriately in a match or training.

Players can also see their own stats and educate themselves on aspects of their recovery that they didn’t realize before partnering with Oura Ring. The comfortable, non-invasive ring not only has the power to collect important data, but also to instruct these professional athletes and coaches on proper rest exercises while off the field.

The Colorado Rapids are better prepared than ever to perform at optimal levels of fitness, mental health and readiness during the Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs, thanks to progress made with UCHealth and Oura Ring.

“We know the demands will be high, the boys will put everything on the field and sleep will be an important part of the recovery,” said Proessl. “So thanks to UCHealth for helping us push the boundaries here and get the boys in the best shape possible for these important games coming up.”