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+ Next-to-skin compression designed to activate the neuromuscular pathways and improve muscle recruitment for elite basketball athletes
Neuroknit
BACKGROUND
In the demanding environment of elite basketball, athletes must fend off fatigue and injury while performing at peak anaerobic and aerobic capacities.
Currently, there are no wearable products designed to actively prepare the body to compete. While innovations in the sports recovery industry have defined a new niche, athletic priming remains largely unexplored.
DESIGN GOALS
Using cutting edge technologies and manufacturing processes, design next-to-skin garments that improve muscle recruitment, reinforce neuromuscular pathways, and optimize movement patterns.
USERS
Elite Youth
Ages 15-19
High school + AAU
Tournament-based competition
Growth spurts
Key phase for habit development
Movement + form mechanics
NCAA Breakout
Ages 18-22
High stakes path to pro
Significant travel
Intense strength + conditioning
Pressure on larger stage
Fatigue as student-athlete
Professional
Ages 21-35
82-game season minimum
Weekly travel
Extremely physical gameplay
Must maintain peak for 5+ months
Balance longevity + quality of career
FIELD RESEARCH
Research focused on studying what kinds of benchmark products and technologies impacted athletic performance in a controlled testing environment.
This process measured: balance, muscle activation, agility, body awareness
Targeted Resistance
+ Zoned to provide resistance to sport-specific muscles
+ Targets both stabilizing muscles and prime movers
+ Inclusion of entire kinetic/myofascial chain
Next-to-skin Texture
+ Zoned to improve postural awareness and form
+ Targets areas around joints
+ Influenced by sport-specific movement mechanics
FINDINGS / BODY MAPPING
The data from field studies combined with secondary research revealed two main modes of priming that improved performance the most:
TECHNOLOGIES
Adaptive Textiles + Programmable Yarns:
Textured Garments + Proprioception:
The Self-Assembly Lab at MIT has developed responsive textiles using programmed yarns. The yarns change shape when contacting stimuli such as heat + moisture. Using this technology, garments can respond to the changing needs of the body
Next-to-skin texturing is shown to increase activity of sensory receptors in the body, enhancing posture + balance through proprioception. Used primarily in clinical applications, this technology has proven to be a valuable innovation for performance sports product.
IDEATION
Responsive yarns integrated into textile
Body Mapping
Texture studies and prototyping on fabric
Shirt Mockups
KEY FEATURES
Textured Underlays
Engineered Knit
Adaptive Neuroknit
+ Applied texture on interior of garment
+ Flexible matte silicone
+ Provides postural feedback in key areas
+ Integrated mesh panels for breathability
+ Seamless construction
+ Compatible with basketball uniform
+ Compressive, powerful fit
+ Targeted resistance for key muscles
+ Adaptive yarns to adjust resistance
TECHNICAL FLATS
Front
Back
Side
Sleeveless Shirt
3/4 Length Tight
Materials Key
PACKAGING
Engineered mesh panels
Adaptive
NEUROKNIT
Engineered
compression knit
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