what are the pads on the back of rugby shirts

The pads on the back of rugby shirts are part of a sophisticated biometric tracking system used by coaches to track a variety of statistics about every player. The visible part of the system is a padded casing that surrounds a unit that is commonly referred to as a GPS tracker, although it contains other measuring devices. The slight bulge that you see is the unit and its protective case. The tracking unit can be carried in a specially made pocket on the back of the shirt or in a harness worn under the shirt. The GPS tracking device provides incredibly detailed performance data, including a players position on the pitch, how much ground they cover, and their heart rate. The device can also measure the strength of a hit using an accelerometer. The primary use of tracking systems is to manage a players workload to make sure that they stay healthy and able to perform at their peak for the entire season.