Competitive Edge

Adidas, a global leader in the sporting goods industry with brands built on a passion for sports and a sporting lifestyle, recently awarded the U-M School of Kinesiology a significant grant to gain insights into how innovative wearable technology can improve sport performance and reduce the risk of injury.

School of Kinesiology, College of Engineering, and Medical School researchers, in collaboration with U-M Athletics and the adidas Innovation Team, will use cutting-edge techniques to analyze and develop the next generation of performance products for athletes.

Researchers will conduct studies with U-M varsity football and basketball athletes to evaluate the biomechanics of sport maneuvers and the performance advantage afforded by new technologies. Additionally, research will seek to optimize the design of protective equipment to reduce the risk of impact-related injury. Also, innovative, state-of-the-art approaches are being used to answer sports and movement science questions. This collaboration will provide adidas with industry leading information that will assist the company in designing and developing products to enhance athletic performance and injury prevention at all levels of competition.

“U-M has a very unique team approach with theoretical and experimental expertise in the areas of biomechanics, engineering, sports medicine and human performance, and we are eager and passionately excited to partner with U-M and tap into their extensive knowledge base,” said Roland Seydel, Innovation Explorer for the adidas Innovation Team.”

Researchers will conduct the studies at locations in the School of Kinesiology, College of Engineering, Bone and Joint Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation Center, MedSport, and U-M athletic facilities. School of Kinesiology Dean Ronald Zernicke said, “This research will be important to develop sports technology that will keep athletes healthier and enable weekend warriors stay more physically active across their lives.” 

More Information: Contact Christina Camilli-Whisenhunt, associate director, marketing & communications, at the School of Kinesiology, at camillic@umich.edu or 734.647.3079.