media release
Brisbane Gets The Grunt
Sporting identities across Brisbane are getting to grips with The Grunt this week after its show stopping performance in the United States.
Invented by Brisbane's Dr. Markus Deutsch of Fusion Sport, The Grunt 3000 is designed to test endurance for rucking, mauling and scrummaging in all the vital rugby/football codes.
"It gauges how effective training manoeuvres actually are and gives an instant, invaluable feedback on impact, as well as producing a highly specific training stimulus," Dr. Deutsch said.
The Grunt - so named because of the noise people tend to make when coming into contact with it - consists of a specially designed impact cart, which is resisted by a bungee capable of withstanding up to 10 tonnes of force. The cart is linked to software which collects data providing instant feedback, analysis and comparison.
"It's capable of accurately measuring many aspects of strength and power during impact sports allowing players to train specifically for the demands of their sport."
Dr. Deutsch has just been promoting The Grunt 3000 in the Unites States to a large contingent of National Football League and collegiate coaching and management staff after being invited to attend the 2003 US Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama.
"The response was excellent. While the American Football culture relies heavily on statistics and player profiling, there is nothing currently on the market which provides this specific feedback. After the first day of promotions a deal was made with the largest distributor/manufacturer of football equipment in the US, which is a very exciting step."
The Grunt 3000 is already used in training by the New Zealand All Blacks along with the English and Otago Rugby Football Union teams. Dr. Deutsch believes it's now time that the Australian teams got onboard.
Fusion Sport - which has recently joined Brisbane's highly successful technology incubator - I. lab, is striving to innovate and change the face of athletic assessment and preparation with practical yet cutting edge products, resources and services.
The Grunt 3000 will be demonstrated today (Monday January 20, 2003) by the Sunnybank Premier Rugby Club at the Brisbane Grammar School Sports centre (first level basketball courts) from 4pm and later this week to the Brisbane Broncos, and the Queensland Academy of Sport.
For more information contact Ann Lund at Media Affair on Phone 07 3300 0172, Mobile 0414 612 324 and see also www.fusport.com.