Smart cycling outfit prevents back pain in riders

Anyone who spends time regularly on a bike knows that cycling can place great strain on the lower back. To counter this, engineers and physical therapists are now joining forces to develop smart bikewear featuring integrated sensors that analyze the rider’s posture. Physios would be able to use the data from the smart jersey to gain greater insight into the back problems suffered by cyclists, while road racers wearing these outfits could monitor and adjust the way they hold their bodies constantly while they are ‘on the go’. So say goodbye to some of those cycling-related injuries!

Pieter Bauwens, Paula Veske and Tom Sterken, respectively a postdoc researcher, doctoral student and R&D engineer at the Center for Microsystems Technology, an imec research group at Ghent University, tell us more about these sensors and the way they are incorporated into smart cycling apparel. Joke Schuermans, another postdoc researcher into physiotherapy and rehabilitation sciences, explains the link between fitness, fatigue and incorrect posture on a bicycle. But first and foremost: discover how cyclewear with sensors can make a world of difference for (amateur) cyclists.  

This cycling outfit is a good example of smart clothing, which is an up-and-coming new technology that we are sure we will be hearing more of in the years to come. The American company SKIIN is forecasting three main trends in the sector for smart textiles.

Read the full article as it is published out the imec’s website here.

Want to know more?

  • In this article we only talk about one of the applications being developed as part of Nano4Sports. Project Nano4Sports is funded by the Interreg V Flanders-Netherlands program, the cross-border cooperation program with financial support from the European Regional Development Fund. More information: www.grensregio.eu
  • Are you interested in further developing this prototype, together with our researchers? Let us know through our contact form.
low back pain, performance, smart textiles

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