DEVICE DEVELOPED FOR RUNNING SHOES THAT PREVENTS INJURIES
El Institute of
Biomechanics of Valencia (IBV) and the Spanish shoe company KELME have designed
a prototype running shoe with an integrated device that improves training
management and prevents injuries.
.T he device consists
of a microelectronic measuring system capable of gathering biomechanical
parameters that characterize the runner's technique during a race. This
information is wirelessly transmitted to the runner's mobile phone and a mobile
phone application provides real-time feedback, including level of performance
and suggestions to change the running pattern or to stop running in case of
detecting a high risk of injury.
The mobile app also
has all the additional information provided by other commercial devices
commonly used by runners such as heart rate monitor or GPS location.
In addition, the
athlete will be able to transfer the generated running information to a web
portal. This portal will generate personalised training plans, allow follow up
of improvements and provide recommendations in order to prevent injuries and
improve performance. Some of the extra contents will include recommendations on
warming-up and cooling down, tips on how to improve the running technique and
nutrition guidelines.
Moreover, this web
will include web 2.0. functionalities allowing the user to be in contact with
other runners worldwide and built and share contents (running routes, footwear
info, etc.)
The main novelty of
this new system compared to current running measuring systems for training is
that it will be the first device to characterise the running technique from
biomechanical variables and, together with information from the pulsometer,
detect fatigue and give real-time recommendations.
RUNSAFER Project was
funded by the Research for SMEs Call of the VII Framework Programme of the
European Commission. The consortium also included the technology centres
IPMS-Fraunhofer (GE) and EII (EST), as well as the firms NUROMEDIA (GE) and
DUKOSI (UK).
80 million runners in
Europe
The actual number of
runners in Europe exceeds 80 million; approximately 36% of the European
population between 15 and 65 year-old.
Running has become one
of the most popular sports in recent years. However, this sport has associated
injuries that force the runner to stop and lose the fitness level achieved
until recovery or even in some cases, to give up all together.
Incidence of running
injuries is high, since 38% of European runners suffer or have suffered a
running injury and between 37 and 56% of runners become injured at least once
each year.
RUNSAFER system is
aimed at all European runners in general and, in particular, at those who are
suffering or have suffered running injuries in the last year, which means a
potential market of over 37 million runners.
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