Today, the eyes or cameras of sports professionals provide inadequate information regarding the muscle quality and muscular function of elite athletes. Very soon, smart sportswear from the Belgian start-up, Skinetix, that are equipped with sensors are set to revolutionise the sector.
Skinetix, the latest spin-off from the imec research centre and the VUB, has developed a patented type of sportswear that registers the movements and activity of individual muscles by means of integrated sensors. Not in a laboratory, but in real time right on the playing field itself. The measurement data obtained in that way is complemented by a personalised and scientifically based biomechanical AI model, in order to fully understand the movement quality, muscle condition and fatigue of the elite athlete. The result should then form the basis of a customised and optimised training programme. This the most ideal way of avoiding the cost and suffering that result from injuries and of speeding up rehabilitation whenever athletes are injured.
Right now, Skinetix is conducting further tests on the scientifically validated prototype of its sportswear, in collaboration with several top clubs from the Belgian soccer league and with the Belgian Athletics Federation. From 2026 onwards, the product itself is scheduled to be rolled out to more than 250,000 professional athletes in a variety of disciplines worldwide, including soccer, American football, athletics, basketball and baseball, and even amateur sports.
A perfect example therefore of Belgian innovative sports technology with potential!
