As many readers of this blog know, I have an affection for technology! Over the past few years, more and more technology is seeping into sports especially technology being integrated into clothing. Imbedded technology provides the opportunity to gather feedback on performance such as ground contact time, gait measurement, power exerted, and lactic threshold. A few examples of the latest wearable sports technology have come to my attention:
BSXinsight
This technology is a wearable compression sleeve for your calf. BSXinsight measures the lactic or lactate threshold based upon the color of red blood cells by shining infrared light through the skin embedded in the sleeve. The data gathered is used to determine the muscle tissue’s oxygen saturation.
What’s lactate threshold? Lactate threshold is defined as the intensity of exercise at which lactate begins to accumulate in the blood at a faster rate than it can be removed. This is problematic because as a result, unbuffered acid is added to the blood, a condition that makes you feel like you have to vomit and stop right away. See Active.com for more info on lactate threshold.
Before this type of technology was devised, blood testing during a controlled test was the means to gather this data on an athlete. Now for under $500, athletes can receive this feedback automatically. See BSX Athletics Website for more information. Velo Press also did a review of this technology. Check that out here.
Thanks to the Feb 29th edition of Sports Illustrated for bringing this technology to my attention.
Sensoria
If you are looking for ways to improve your running technique, Sensoria has developed a smart sock with embedded sensors (located on the forefoot and heel) measuring how much pressure is applied while running. That data, via Bluetooth link, provides info on cadence, time between strides, and footfall location.
Thanks to Competitor magazine for bringing this technology to my attention.