Blog
-
Let’s connect again: The 3rd STRN Online Meet & Greet
2 years ago, our community gathered in short but inspiring conversations during the STRN Online Meet & Greet. Dozens of new contacts were made, ideas exchanged, and collaborations set in motion. The positive feedback from participants showed us one thing very clearly: these conversations matter.
That’s why we’re excited to bring the event back for its third edition.
Read more about "Let’s connect again: The 3rd STRN Online Meet & Greet"
-
Exploring the Intersection of Wearables, Sport, and Health – STRN at the Ladenburg Discourse
The future of sports and health is being shaped not just on the field or in the lab, but increasingly at the intersection where science, technology, and society meet. This is precisely the focus of the Ladenburger Diskurs, a dialogue series hosted by the Daimler and Benz Foundation. Their latest event, dedicated to “Wearables in Sport and Health”, brought together leading researchers, technologists, and thought leaders to discuss both the promise and the pitfalls of wearable technology in these fast-evolving domains.
The event explored fundamental questions: How can wearable tech improve health outcomes or athletic performance? What ethical or social considerations must we keep in mind? And how do we navigate the tension between innovation and regulation, especially when it comes to personal data?
-
How Do Sports Start-ups Innovate? Help Us Explore the Role of Open Innovation Ecosystems
In recent years, sports start-ups have increasingly relied on external collaborations to develop innovative solutions in areas such as performance tech, fan engagement, digital coaching, and event management. But what drives these start-ups to open up their innovation processes? And which collaborations truly make a difference in their growth?
-
A New Sports Tech Quality Framework White Paper: Bringing the Framework to Life
The sports industry continues to evolve at a rapid pace, driven by innovative technologies designed to enhance performance, optimize operations, and enrich user experiences. Yet, with innovation comes the challenge of evaluating the value, usability, and quality of these technologies. To address this global need, the Sports Tech Quality Framework was introduced in 2023, providing a comprehensive structure to assess sports technologies across five key pillars: Quality Assurance & Measurement, Established Benefit, Ethics & Security, User Experience, and Data Management.
Now, the latest white paper—"Bringing the Framework to Life"—takes this initiative further, offering actionable guidance for practical applications. Whether you're a sports organization, technology developer, or investor, this paper is a must-read for anyone looking to make informed decisions in the sports tech landscape.
Read more about "A New Sports Tech Quality Framework White Paper: Bringing the Framework to Life"
-
Call to participate in a research survey to Elucidate Influence of Wearables on Individualization of Training Procedures
Due to individual variability in acute responses and chronic adaptations to exercise and training at various cellular and organ levels, it is essential to individualize aspects of exercise and training to elicit optimal adaptation. In this context, it is often claimed that Wearable Technologies support procedures to individualize training.
-
Your energy budget: importance, monitoring issues, and the doubly labeled water solution
To be an athlete in the age of technology–it’s great, right? Having the ability to obtain copious information about yourself constantly has been a game changer for many. From wearables to blood tests, there are endless ways to find out how your body is functioning throughout your training. However, one metric that has been historically hard to pin down is your energy budget.
-
Solid protocol in football: a decentralized data storage system for implementing data backpacks
In the previous article Power to the player: empowering football players through data rights and data backpacks we discuss the data-driven era in football and the lack of player control over personal data. The article introduces a 'data backpack' system using the Solid protocol, allowing players control over their data for performance enhancement and ethical use. Read further for the second part of this blog series or go back to the previous article.
-
Power to the player: empowering football players through data rights and data backpacks
Professional football is currently in a data-driven era, with player metrics and performance statistics being heavily utilized by clubs and coaching staff to make strategic decisions. However, players often lack access control to their personal data. A lawsuit such as Project Red Card (also see this BBC article) has spotlighted potential violations of player data rights.
Recognizing the importance of player data rights, FIFA and FIFPRO have developed a Charter of Player Data Rights, empowering players to access, control, and also benefit from their data. This blog article investigates the advantages of a 'data backpack' system, which would give players greater access control over their data, aiding in performance enhancement, contract negotiations, and ethical data use.
A 'data backpack' is a digital repository of a player's personal and performance data. Utilizing Personal Data Stores, based on the Solid protocol, a decentralized data storage system, the 'data backpack' concept can be implemented, allowing players to store, manage, and share their data with stakeholders if based on a lawful ground of processing (need-to-know basis). It can serve individual players by helping them tailor training and recovery programs as well as monitor health and performance. Additionally, it has broader research applications in talent identification and injury risk mitigation.
As outlined below, we suggest that the adoption of a 'data backpack' system can empower players, making the football industry more equitable and transparent.
-
Enhancing Sports and Health Innovation: Introducing the Project Setup Template
In the dynamic realm of sports and health technology, collaboration among individuals from diverse backgrounds, including academia, startups/industry, and sports/health fields, is commonplace. While this diversity brings forth a myriad of perspectives and insights, it can also pose challenges in aligning everyone towards a common goal. To address this, our team has developed a comprehensive 'Project Setup Template' tailored for science-based innovations in sports and health technology.
Read more about "Enhancing Sports and Health Innovation: Introducing the Project Setup Template"
-
Expand your network at the STRN Meet & Greet
In a world driven by innovation and collaboration, the importance of connections cannot be underestimated. With the Sports Tech Research Network, we want to bring individuals from diverse backgrounds together under a common umbrella of sports, research, and health technology. That's why we're organizing an online networking event - the 2nd STRN Meet & Greet!
Read more about "Expand your network at the STRN Meet & Greet"