Faster, Higher, Stronger

Part 3: Other Sports Technologies of the Future

Science and technology are reshaping the landscape of athletics. While wearablesare much discussed, other futuristic advances in sports technology are working wonders too. And premiere scientific research institutes are engaging academicians to stretch the limits of athletic performance.

The future of sports technology holds transformative potential for athletes. From enhanced performance monitoring and personalised training to innovative equipment design and injury prevention strategies, technology will continue to shape how athletes prepare for and compete at the highest level.

In our previous instalment, we discussed how Wearable Technology has currently infiltrated sports training. Here’s a look at other futuristic advances in sports technology.

AI, Machine Learning, and VR revolutionising training methods

Artificial intelligence is increasingly playing a vital role in creating individualised training programs. By analysing an athlete’s historical data along with real-time performance metrics, AI can recommend personalised workout regimens that adapt to an athlete’s specific needs.

VR technology enables athletes to simulate competitive environments, allowing them to practice strategies and mental conditioning in a controlled setting. Such immersive training can enhance mental preparedness and decision-making skills under pressure.

Leveraging big data, technology can predict injury risks by analysing an athlete’s workload, training history, and physiological responses. Such proactive approach leads to early interventions and better injury prevention strategies.

Nutrition and recovery plans are taking the smart route

Technology is now facilitating more personalised nutrition strategies. Advanced apps and wearables can analyse metabolic rates and energy expenditure, providing athletes with tailored dietary plans that optimise performance and recovery. Similarly, innovations in recovery technology, such as cryotherapy and compression therapy, are becoming more sophisticated and digitally controlled. Continuous monitoring systems help athletes understand their recovery needs, ensuring they are constantly primed and physically prepared for competition.

Improved equipment design is shattering records

Over the past few years, there has been tremendous advancements in materials engineering as well as ergonomic product designing. This has led to unthinkable progress in equipment manufacturing. Development of lighter, biomechanics-friendly, and more durable composites have led to the creation of superior athletic gear. From aerodynamic cycling helmets to performance-enhancing swimsuits to action-boosting footwear – and everything in-between – innovative materials are directly impacting competitive results. Additionally, 3D printing technology is also enabling the production of bespoke equipment tailored to unique requirements of individual athletes. In fact, for prime athletes, this has reached a level where equipment used by one may not be adequately usable at all by another! Such refined and total customisation enhances both user comfort and performance – potentially leading to record-breaking outcomes.

Augmented Reality (AR) bringsmotivation frombeyond the immediate gallery

Although not directly related to athletic actions, AR technology is being increasingly harnessed to enable fan interactions. This involves providing immersive experiences that allow spectators to engage with the participants and competitions like never before. Advanced data visualisation tools present performance metrics during events, offering fans deeper insights into athlete performance and strategies. Additionally, enhanced storytelling through data can enrich the viewing experience manifold. Such engagements can boost athlete morale and stimulate adrenalin rush beyond what was experienced by past athletes – because today’s sportspersons perform not before the immediate gallery, but before the entire world.

CNRS: An exemplary case study

An excellent example of how scientific research and innovation is stretching the limits of athletic performance is the CNRS. Since the Paris 2024 Summer Olympic Games have recently been concluded, it is relevant too – because CNRS is the French National Centre for Scientific Research, a public-funded institution that covers all scientific disciplines. It is worth noting how this institute of academic research pulled out all stops to support the French competitors and fine-tune their performance in the Olympics.

Just for the sake of perspective, let us recall that CNRS is not really another government-sponsored sports academy. Following is a profile of the institute, as provided in their website:

“With 32,000 researchers, engineers and technicians, the CNRS is at the forefront of international research and is the world’s first producer of scientific research papers. It has been home to no fewer than 21 Nobel Prise laureates and 12 Fields Medal winners. The organisation plays a key role worldwide through 36 International Joint Units and partnership agreements with more than 76 countries. It is also involved in the development and operation of large-scale research facilities, including telescopes, particle accelerators, supercomputers and very large databases.”

So, what happens when such a premier research institute harnesses its knowledge base to sports training? Here are a few snapshots:

• Swimming: A dummy swimmer’s arm is moulded from clear epoxy resin, matching the density of the human body. This arm is submerged in a water tank filled with laser-illuminated particles to simulate swimming motions. Researchers analyse the water’s behaviour to enhance the swimmer’s propulsion.
• Rowing: Movements and forces exerted by the oars are captured using sensors placed on the rowers’ bodies. The data shows that each rower develops a unique muscular coordination system, leading to various types of musculoskeletal constraints. This insight enables competitors to optimise their performance and minimise injury risks.
• Cycling: Researchers apply three forms of real-time biomechanical monitoring: movement tracking, muscle activity assessment, and pedalling speed measurement. The findings assess the accuracy of muscle coordination employed by the central nervous system during cycling.
• Surfing: Land-based experiments were conducted to investigate how wearing a wetsuit impacts performance. Pads simulating water resistance were attached to the surfers’ hands, along with reflective markers for optical movement tracking. The outcomes with and without the wetsuit were then compared.
• Volleyball: Eye-tracking devices monitor players’ eye movements as they focus on different areas of play. The aim is to enhance the team’s serve-reception quality. Following adjustments made from analysing serve trajectories, a second test assesses how much the changes in visual strategy have improved performance.
• Climbing: Climbers interacting with a prototype wall are recorded using multiple cameras. Force sensors on the climbing holds and markers on their bodies enable scientists to create a 3D model, allowing for precise identification of motor skills and muscle behaviour patterns.
• Basketball: Virtual Reality technology is utilised through Virtushoot, a ball-throwing simulator. By altering parameters, researchers can identify the mechanisms that govern the throwing action. This aids athletes in developing a quicker information-processing strategy that can lead to an ideal throw.
• For All Athletes: Athletes are blindfolded, and their limbs connected to an ergometer to measure joint angles using sensory receptors. This process tracks “proprioception,” or the sixth sense, which helps us locate and move our body parts in space. The goal is to study athletes’ ability to replicate a specific joint angle without visual assistance, ensuring precise and optimal body usage in any position.

Acknowledgement:https://news.cnrs.fr/

[Concluded]