Taking Sports Science To The Next Level

March 30, 2006

Australia is known for its BBQ’s, highly dangerous wildlife, and of course our sportsmanship…but Star-Trek like contraptions to take an athlete’s performance through the stratosphere, well, who would have thought. Seriously, Australian sports science is world renowned. Sports scientists in Australia have now been studying micro receptors (that are swallowed by athletes) to measure speeds and other biomechanical functions. Apart from this following is a list of other cool concepts that Australian scientists are formulating to enhance athletic performance:

· An electronic rower tracking system that was used at the Athens Olympic Games where Australian rower’s won three medals.

·”Cooling jackets”, which reduce athletes’ temperatures and increase their power output. Researchers are evaluating their impact on pistol shooters, and formula one driver Mark Webber will wear one at the Bahrain and Malaysian GPs.

·”Superbikes”, which require up to 5 per cent less energy than comparable high-performance frames.

· Development of a safety stirrup for jockeys and horse riders, in conjunction with Bostock Developments.

One of the inventions is the “cooling jacket”, which I believe would be a great tool in the competitive goalkeepers arsenal, keeping the athlete cool whilst increasing power especially during very hot competitive games would be an added plus. The research conducted in the above studies also suggests that the cooling jacket material can be used as a boot for people with torn ligaments. I’m not sure how that would work, but what an added plus with people who are facing reconstructed ACL’s.

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