Nike’s Sense Technology

In November 2011, Nike and TOSH (The Orthopedic Specialty Hospital) partnered together to launch the SPARQ Sensory Performance (SSP) training system which consists of an integrated approach to help athletes improve their sensory skills and “see and feel” their particular sport better. This program is being conducted at TOSH’s campus in Murray, Utah. The Sparq Sensory Performance is comprised of technologies, products, and programs that take athletes through a process of assessing and analyzing and then creating steps to improve their visual and sensory skills. Accoring to Paul Winsper, SPARQ Performance Director, "Sensory training is at the cornerstone of how we can build better athletes." Below is a video providing an overview of the training system and its importance to an athlete’s development:

Nike SPARQ Sensory Performance Overview Video

As mentioned above the first two steps in the training system are assessment and analysis. In the assessment phase, athletes use the Nike SPARQ Sensory Station, an interactive touch screen device, and are taken through 10 visual and sensory performance skills that are commonly used in sports. The sensory station collects data on athletes as they go through the assessment. This data is then analyzed and compared to other athletes in the same sport, position and skill level to develop an individually tailored training program that improves their sensory skills.

The third step in the system is the actual training program. Nike uses two innovative products, the Nike SPARQ Sensory Training Station and the Nike SPARQ Vapor Strobe Eyewear, to assist athletes. The Nike SPARQ Sensory Training Station provides software-based training modules that consist of different colored flashing graphics displayed on large touch screen monitors. Certain exercises, which measure depth perception, reaction time, anticipation timing, pattern recognition, focus, etc., require athletes to touch the green flashing graphics while avoiding the red ones. The Nike SPARQ Vapor Strobe Eyewear is a key product to help athletes improve their visual skills. The eyewear uses a strobe (hence the name) or flicker effect to partially block and disrupt an athletes’ vision similar to the opening and closing of window blinds. This strobe effect forces athletes to develop increased focus and quicker reaction times during activity and trains the brain to anticipate what is coming even when their vision is blocked. The speed of the strobe can be adjusted to increase the training level.

  

The Nike SPARQ Eyewear retails at $300.00 and both the Nike SPARQ Sensory Station and the Nike SPARQ Sensory Training Station are available through the Nike SPARQ Sensory Training Help Desk (NSSTsupport@nike.com).

So, is this system effective? According to Nike, training with the Nike SPARQ Vapor Strobe Eyewear overall improved: ability to pick up subtle motion cues, visual information processing, and timing of motion.^1,2   Duke University published a study funded by Nike on October 28, 2011 and found varying results. Researchers tested 157 people, 85 participated in lab exercises using the SPARQ Sensory Training Station and 72 participated in different drills using the SPARQ Vapor Strobe Eyewear. Athletes saw the greatest benefits of the training to their central visual field of motion and transient attention abilities. However, there was no measurable benefit to the athlete’s peripheral vision. So for professional athletes, where even the slightest improvement in visual or physical performance can help them gain an advantage over their competitors, this training is worth it, but not so much for the average amateur. ³

Conducting drills to improve an athlete’s senses is just as important as physical training; however most athletes don’t conduct formal training regimens to build their senses in the same matter as their bodies. With the introduction of the SPARQ Sensory Performance training system, Nike will make this aspect of training a priority. It will be interesting to see the next innovation introduced to improve an athlete’s performance.

References

1. Tosh and Nike Team Up To Bring 'Visionary' Sensory Performance Training to Utah
2. NikeInc.com: Nike SPARQ Sensory Performance Helps Athletes 'See Sport Better'
3. Wired.com: Nike’s Sparq Shines a Light on Visual Training

Under Armour’s E39 Performance Shirt

Julio Jones: UA E39 Video

Under Armour has introduced a new performance shirt, called the E39 ("E" is for electric), that I think gets athletes looking as close to a real life “Ironman” as possible. This shirt features a removable sensor device, called a "bug", just below the sternum area, to monitor an athlete’s physiological changes, including heart and breathing rates and accelerometry data, during workouts.

The "bug" holds a triaxial accelerometer, which measures acceleration and change of direction, a processor and can hold 2 GB of data. Under Armour partnered with a company called Zephyr Technology, a data software company based in Annapolis, Maryland, to integrate the "bug" technology into their shirt. The data collected by the device can be transferred via Bluetooth to mobile devices and laptops for analysis by scouts, trainers, coaches and anyone else interested in a player’s level of performance. Information from the triaxial accelerometer, for example, can be used to improve a player’s acceleration during short sprints or when changing directions quickly. During the combine, this data helped a coach improve a highly touted running back’s speed when running 20 yard sprints. The data collected revealed that the player was decelerating between 10 and 20 yards when he was taking his longest strides. The coach suggested he shorten his strides and he was able to continue accelerating through the full 20 yards.^1,2

The technology provided by Zephyr has been used previously to monitor vital signs of the U.S. Special Forces during activity and was thus ideal to use at the NFL combine to show how this technology could be useful for athletes.³  Zephyr created their PSM Training System, which consists of the BioHarness^TM BT, a belt-like device worn around the midsection that captures and transmits physiological data via Bluetooth®, and their OmniSense Software, which is software that can be installed on laptops, tablets, or smartphones and provides graphical representations of the data collected by the BioHarness. The software can provide real time monitoring of up to 64 BioHarnesses simultaneously.⁴

See a video below from the E39 creators that discusses the product and their goals behind designing the most innovative way to date to evaluate an athlete’s performance in real time:

A Look Inside the UA E39

The E39 is an interesting concept and again shows how technology is being integrated with sports to further improve an athlete’s performance. It is similar to the miCoach technology being offered by Adidas in that the data is captured while a player is working out and can be transmitted via Bluetooth to mobile devices or laptops for monitoring, but the E39 technology focuses more on the biometric changes of an athlete whereas the miCoach technology focuses more on the physical movements the athlete makes. Also the miCoach technology is now available to the general public, whereas the E39 shirt is currently only available to athletes and schools that have contracts with Under Armour, trainers that work with the company, and football teams that want to test the shirt. When the E39 will be available for the general public is to be determined.

References

1. Wired.com: In-Chest Sensors Gather Data on NFL Prospects
2. Engadget: Under Armour’s E39 performance shirt is electric
3. Press Release: Under Armour Powers NFL Scouting Combine With Zephyr Technology
4. Zephyr Technology PSM Training Solution

The TANGO 12 - UEFA's Euro 2012 Official Match Ball

First post of 2012!

Since Euro 2012 begins in June, I thought it fitting to discuss the official match ball that will be used for the tournament. On the day of the Euro 2012 finals draw, Adidas the official supplier for the tournament, unveiled the TANGO 12 ball, which was created based on the classic Tango balls used in the FIFA World Cup and Euro tournaments of the 1980s but also incorporates a more modern design from the Jabulani ball used in the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

The outside of the TANGO 12 ball is constructed of 32 triangular panels that are thermally bonded together (for those familiar with soccer balls, the panels can be bonded or stitched together) and a protruding micro surface texture was applied. The result is a ball that provides a true, stable flight path and better ball control. The inside of the ball contains a woven carcass and a new bladder that holds air longer and reduces water absorption so playing in the rain won’t affect it much.^1,2

After the ball was designed, it went through rigorous quantitative and qualitative testing to meet Adidas’ standards of approval (which exceed FIFA approved standards). According to the Adidas group blog article about the TANGO 12 ball, it is tested for all kinds of aspects including the roundness of the ball, its weight, and even accuracy. The way they test accuracy is actually quite cool.

At Adidas’ test centre in Herzogenaurach, they have a robotic leg with a high-speed camera attached that kicks the ball repeatedly at a goal from 22 meters away. The robotic leg ensures that the ball is kicked the same way every time and is an accurate way to analyze the ball’s performance, accuracy and flight characteristics from a variety of different shots.  Based on these specific tests, the TANGO 12 always hit its intended target with a maximal deviation of 20cm. This means the ball is very accurate and players should hit their target, assuming they are striking the ball correctly.  These types of tests make up the quantitative testing. The qualitative testing consists of letting players, both professional and amateur, use the ball and getting feedback about their impressions and how comfortable they are with it. Initial feedback has been positive.³

Adidas said the same thing about the Jabulani ball which got lots of complaints from players in the 2010 World Cup, so I will take this initial feedback (which usually comes from players that endorse their apparel and equipment) with a grain of salt until its gets widespread use from the general public.

Checkout the video below which provides more details about the ball’s design:

If anyone has gotten a chance to use the new TANGO 12, leave a comment and let me know what you think of the ball.

References

1. Sport Technology Review: Adidas TANGO 12 ball - Not just a football more a highly engineered sporting sphere
2. Adidas News: Adidas Presents Official Match Ball for UEFA EURO 2012
3. Adidas Group Blog - No doubt: This ball’s flying straing – there is proof!

Adidas’ AdiZero Technology – Part 3 (Football)

adiZero 5 STAR - Introducing the Lightest Cleat EVER Made, starring Eric Berry and CJ Spiller

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you!

In the last post on the adidas adiZero technology, we focus on the adiZero 5 Star cleat for football.  Adidas launched this cleat on Friday April 1 and, as with their adiZero footwear for soccer and basketball, the 5 Star currently is the lightest football cleat created weighing in at 6.9 ounces, 3 ounces lighter than anything else on the market.  Similar to the adiZero F50 cleats for soccer, the 5 Star upper is composed of a lightweight synthetic material called SPRINTSKIN and has a SPRINTFRAME base.  The cleats are a new triangular design to improve traction and acceleration.  This design significantly reduces the weight but does not compromise on support and stability when rapidly changing directions or making quick cuts.¹

  

The lighter the shoe, the faster the player and in football, speed kills! The 5 Star’s goal is to make players as fast as possible on the field. As with the adizero F50, it will be interesting if the miCoach technology will be implemented in later versions of the adiZero football cleats to measure and track player performance on the field.

Feedback from players on the shoe has been positive for the most part. Players are impressed with the how light the shoes are while still providing plenty of support and they feel faster and quicker on the field. Some players have complained about the lack of comfort and padding however, so depending on what’s important to a player, these cleats may not be the best choice. These football cleats are probably best for the skill position players (e.g. running backs, wide receivers, defensive backs) and not for linemen who need more support or might get their feet stepped on often. Also these cleats do not come in high-tops. See comments from adidas' adiZero 5 Star Facebook page.

Adidas will release the "adiZero Smoke" (shown in the video above), its next version of adiZero football cleats, to the general public in the spring of 2012. These cleats are lighter than the adiZero 5 Star and feature a SPRINTSKIN upper and a molded SPRINTFRAME outsole chassis.²

  

See what people are already saying about the adiZero Smoke cleat in comments from adidas’ adiZero Smoke Facebook page.

With Adidas' adiZero footwear product line for soccer, football, basketball and other sports it is clear the company is trying to emphasize speed as the best way to gain an advantage in competition. With their lightweight design, the adiZero footwear allows athletes to be able to reach maximum speed faster, make quicker cuts and improve endurance throughout a game. Adidas already has a majority of the market in footwear for soccer, but it will be interesting if these new shoe designs can help them gain more of the market in footwear for basketball and football which is dominated by Nike at this point.

References

1. adidas adiZero 5 Star Cleat Press Release
2. Counterkicks.com adidas adiZero Smoke Preview

adidas’ adiZero Technology – Part 2 (Basketball)

Adidas Derrick Rose: adiZero Crazy Light commercial

I’m really feeling the beat in D Rose’s commercial!

On April 14, 2011 (yeah I know I’m a bit late with this) Adidas declared the adiZero Crazy Light to be the lightest basketball shoe ever at 9.8 ounces for a size 10 foot, approximately two ounces lighter than the nearest competitor. The adiZero Crazy Light gives Adidas the lightest in three sports, including football (see my next post "Adidas' adiZero Technology - Part 3 about the adiZero 5 star cleat) and soccer.

It took over two years to design this show and the adidas Innovation Team started from scratch with just a bare foot.  The upper is composed of a SPRINTWEB exoskeleton that is less than 1mm thick and is bonded to a nylon textile base.  This design reduces the weight of the shoe, provides great comfort and the web layout provides plenty of support when cutting and changing directions rapidly.  The SPRINTFRAME external heel counter and TORSION SYSTEM are bonded together.  This again reduces the weight of the shoe, and also allows for maximum energy return and motion control to support the player when accelerating or changing directions.¹

I am curious if adidas will try to implement its miCoach technology into later versions of their basketball shoes as ways to further track player movements and improve upon their designs.  I imagine this may depend on how much of a benefit this would provide given the investment.  This may depend ultimately on sales and gaining a larger share of the market.

Nonetheless, the introduction of this new basketball shoe shows Adidas’ commitment to developing the lightest athletic shoes in major sports and reinforces their idea that lighter means faster and faster means better performance.  See the video below from Elysia Davis, a sports researcher for Adidas America talking about the technical process that the team went through to design the Crazy Light:

Adidas America announces new basketball shoe

Posted on Thursday, April 14, 2011 1:25PM

Elysia Davis, sports researcher for Adidas America, describes the technical process of developing the adiZero Crazy Light basketball shoe at the Adidas America headquarters in North Portland.

The adiZero Rose 2

Adidas also launched the “adiZero Rose 2” basketball shoe on October 1, endorsed by Derrick Rose.  “All Flights Cancelled” is stitched to the top of the tongue of this shoe which references how D Rose’s play on the court will alter this opponent’s chances of “taking off” or having any success (I like Derrick Rose, but not sure what I think about that).

The design and technology for this shoe is very similar to that of the Crazy Light with the SPRINTWEB upper and but adds a few extra bells and whistles to appeal to consumers who want to wear them off the court (e.g. a solid leather toe cap).  As a result, this shoe weighs in at 12.4 ounces², which is pretty light, but no where near the Crazy Light’s 9.8 ounces.

With these new shoes and their marketing efforts, it will be interesting to see if Adidas is able to gain a larger share of the basketball shoe market which has long been dominated by Nike and the Jordan Brand.

References

1. Adidas Crazy Light Press Release
2. adiZero Rose 2 – Product Description

adidas’ adiZero Technology – Part 1 (Soccer)

In 2004, Adidas released the first version of its F50 shoe line.  F50 is short for Football 50 marking the 50 year anniversary of when the West German national team won the World Cup in 1954.¹ 

The adiZero product line has the lightest boots in the market, the lightest being the F50 Prime with the Sprint Skin upper at 5.1 oz (the leather upper weighs in at 6.0 oz).  Even the stud configuration was redesigned to more efficiently transfer a player’s energy while moving on the field and thus help endurance.

Perhaps the coolest and most innovative version of the adiZero line to come into the market is the new adiZero F50 miCoach which brings intelligence to a soccer shoe for the first time. 

  

The miCoach is a removable chip that is attached to a port on the bottom of the shoe and gathers data about the players' in game performance including recording stride rates, distances, average speed and sprint times.  The information from the chip can then be uploaded to a computer or mobile device via USB or WiFi connection to analyze the data.²  That’s pretty high-tech!  I wonder if teams are now going to need data analysts who can quickly gather and analyze players’ data (just kidding but you never know).  They can then make tactical or formation changes at halftime or even on the fly to improve efficiency or try to preserve a player’s endurance throughout a game.  Teams may also make changes to maximize a player’s performance in a game.  I’m not sure if it would be possible for the miCoach to upload data in real time at this point (maybe that will be included in the miCoach v2 chip), but I can see teams attempting to set up wireless hotspots on their benches in attempts to download data and use any opportunity available to gain an advantage over their opponents.  Before long you’ll see managers sitting on the benches with laptops or holding mobile devices!  Now that would be crazy!

It’s the start of a new evolution in shoe design technology and it will be interesting to see what Adidas’ competitors introduce into the market to counter the miCoach technology. 

See video from the Adidas News Stream below:

References
1. Adidas F50 Wikipedia article
2. Soccer Cleat Breakthroughs – How adidas’ Innovations are Leading the Industry

3. Photos courtesy of gizmag - http://www.gizmag.com/adidas-adizero-f50-football-boot/20030/

Introduction

Hello, my name is Brent Brown, I live in Northern VA and am a big sports fan.  My favorite sports are soccer, football, and basketball.  I played all three in high school and played intramural soccer and basketball in college.  Soccer is my favorite sport to play and Football is my favorite sport to watch.  In addition to sports I am a bit of a techie.  I have always liked technology and majored in engineering in college.  I therefore decided to create this blog for fun to highlight new sports equipment and apparel and the technology behind it.  I find the research and development of new technologies for the benefit of sport to be really cool.  I would have to say my dream job would be to work for Adidas, Under Armour, or Nike in their R&D departments researching new technologies to improve sports equipment and apparel. 

In this blog I will post entries on my three favorite sports about new footwear, clothing, equipment, protective gear, and anything else that I think is interesting to post as it relates to sport technology.  So without further ado, let’s get to it!