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Over two thirds of all world records in athletics were set in the past 20 years. Let that sink in for a minute. Humans have been competing with each other for thousands of years — and keeping records for nearly 200 — and yet athletes from just the past two decades hold the majority of the top achievements. Why? Most likely, the answer isn’t that we humans alive today are inherently stronger, faster, or more talented than earlier generations; it’s that we have better technology at our disposal. We have better tools, better equipment, and better data — all of which allow us to train harder, go faster, and push the limits of human athletic performance. In this series, we’ll explore those technologies and illuminate how advanced science and engineering are helping today’s athletes become better, faster, and stronger than ever before.
3 next-gen helmet designs that could curb concussions in the NFL
In 2019, the NFL launched a design competition for safer helmet technologies. These are the three companies that won, along with their incredible technologies
The NFL wants to predict injuries before they happen. Here’s how
The NFL doesn't just want to treat injuries after they happen. Instead, it now uses technology to help predict and prevent injuries before they occur.
How Hawk-Eye cameras are making football fairer and faster than ever
With a phalanx of specialized cameras, Hawk-Eye Innovations can provide better replay footage, more accurate calls, and fewer game stoppages.
Fighting football injuries with 3D-printed, hyper-personalized pads
Protec3d is on a mission to replace generic, one-size-fits-all football pads with 3D printed, hyper-personalized ones that offer more protection for players
Performance enhancing shoes? How Nike’s controversial Vaporfly line redefined running
Nike's 'performance-enhancing' Vaporfly running shoes are headed to the Olympic Games in Tokyo, but some running enthusiasts don't think they should be allowed
Intel’s incredible athlete-tracking A.I. is the ‘holy grail’ of training tech
3DAT, Intel's athlete-tracking A.I., was built to boost the viewer experience at the Olympics, and it has huge potential as a training tool for elite athletes.
The incredible engineering inside an Olympic archer’s bow
The bows used in modern archery competitions have more in common with Formula 1 race cars than they do with the simple wooden bows of centuries past.
Under the radar: How a 117-year old technology gives Olympic throwers an edge
It takes more than sheer strength to be an elite thrower, so today's top athletes often use a unique kind of radar technology to optimize their performance.
Wind breakers: The epic quest to eliminate aerodynamic drag
The faster an athlete travels, the more resistance they meet from the forces of aerodynamic drag. Here's how engineers are helping minimize that problem.
Quantum clocks and e-pistols: The ultra-precise timekeeping of the Tokyo Games
In the Olympics, a single microsecond can mean the difference between winning and losing a race, so timekeeping systems need to be outrageously accurate.
Esports on the Olympic stage? It’s only a matter of time
The Olympics have yet to accept esports and it will hurt them in the long run.
On the mend: Inside the rapid recovery tech that keeps NFL players game-ready
In the past, an NFL player's recovery routine was just stretching and rest. Now they use things like cryotherapy, electrostimulation pads, and infrared saunas
Turf tech: The surprisingly sophisticated science of the lowest part of the game
Grass is the ideal playing surface for football, and that's not an accident. The turf that the NFL uses is the culmination of centuries of selective breeding.
Smart dummies: How robotic tackling tech is transforming football practice
Concussions frequently take place during football practice. This robot tackling dummy could help reduce that risk, and also give players an edge.
How the NFL’s on-player RFID tags are quietly revolutionizing football
Seven years ago, the NFL started tracking players with RFID tags. Now, all the data it has captured is causing some significant changes to the game.
Hit takers: The cutting-edge engineering making football helmets safer than ever
Helmet technology has come a long way since the leatherhead days of football. Today, materials science is driving a revolution in head protection tech