Since injuries are on the rise in sports, technology is being used to help athletes. Some of the latest high-tech innovations are being developed to keep players healthy and safe. Life-threatening sports injuries can cause players to end their careers. Most of those injuries can be fatal or cause permanent damage to a player’s body. Here are some of the latest technological advancements that prevent sports injuries, according to Dr Gregg Schellack.
High-Tech Mouth Guards
High-tech mouth guards are also known as FIT guards that include the use of sensors to notify athletes when it’s time to take a break. These sensors alert coaches and players when a serious injury occurred during the game. These have become important in American football, where concussions are common but happen without the player knowing. Whenever an injury occurs, the LED lights turn blue or red.
These lights are bright enough for coaches to see them, along with doctors, other players, and parents. The data is then compiled to an app to include more information about the impact or injury.
High-Tech Helmets
American football players have also been wearing high-tech helmets which can decrease the effects of head injuries. One example is the Shock Bonnet, which provides players additional protection in the head area during the roughest games. Instead of using traditional foam, it implements shock absorbers that releases air to reduce movements during direct impact. This technology is similar to airbags, only that it’s located inside of the helmet.
Computer-Based Sports Injury Prevention Programs
Dr Gregg Schellack has also noticed that Kitman Labs that has been actively working with baseball teams to develop their own computer-based sports injury prevention program. This program gathers data about each of the baseball players to manage and prevent their injuries. The data includes biometrics and other metrics to determine which players are at a greater risk of injury than others. Then a high-definition camera captures the players’ movements and generates those results in real time. The data is continuously analyzed and monitored so coaches and players can prevent injuries from happening.
Sports Injury Prevention Apps
There are plenty of mobile apps that help reduce sport injuries. The Get Set Smart Trainer app is available for use on Android or iOS. This app gives you directions on how to perform common exercises, moves, and stretches. It has over 30 types of summer sports and injury prevention exercises that treat certain parts of the body such as the groin, neck, and shoulder.
Once you choose a sport on the screen, you can then choose a level of exercise. You’ll also find sports injury prevention apps dedicated to baseball, football, golf, running, and more. There are also apps that shows the military and armed forces how to stay injury-free.
Digital Modeling
Arm injuries are common in sports like baseball. Pitchers are always undergoing numerous surgies to replace their unar collateral ligament. To prevent an arm injury from occuring, many baseball teams are turning to digital modeling to help them with common arm and elbow injuries. This technology is also being used in football for early detection of concussions in players. This technology is likely to increase with the NFL’s reinstated concussion protocols.
Aquatic Therapy
Aquatic therapy has also helped football players prevent and treat their injuries. The Dallas Cowboys use the HyrdoWorx 2000 pool in their training facility to increase the recovery period. The pool uses digital video to observe each of the players’ movements as they perform floor movements and water-flow resistance activities. This has become an integral part of the postsurgical exercise sessions.
Wearable Monitors
Helmet and mouthpieces have been improved with built-in technology that incorporates the use of biomechanical data to collect data about brain injuries. This allows trainers to create a personalized program for players that helps prevent injuries. Another concept is smart stocks that include the use of textile pressure sensors to increase the likelihood of an injury.
Technology will continue to find new ways to prevent and reduce injuries among athletes. From aquatic therapy to high-tech helmets that monitors concussions, this type of technology is expected to grow in the coming years.
