Haptic sports garments, which use tactile signals to prompt the wearer to optimise their technique or to use specific muscle groups, are now being tested on rowers.

Eventually, sensors in the garments will measure the speed at which the rower moves and how they coordinate their leg and body movements. If the rower deviates from the optimum speed or rhythm, pads worn at the ankle and waist start vibrating at the correct stroke intervals to help the rower recapture the winning action.

“The feedback can be understood by the person much more quickly than if they are getting shouts from a human trainer,” says Hendrik-Jan van Veen of the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research.

The researchers have also designed a vest for speed-skaters with vibrating pads at the shoulder and hip, which provides instant feedback on skaters’ movements as they hurtle around the rink. Dutch skating coach Jac Orie is testing it on his team.

Similar clothing could alert soccer players to posture problems as they strike the ball.

Via New Scientist.
Image from the PDF Tactile technology: the skin as an untapped sense.