Athletes, especially in high-speed sports like football, rugby, and track, are prone to injuries such as hamstring strains and hip flexor damage due to imbalanced forces during sprinting. Current tools used to measure and monitor sprinting forces—like force plates or treadmills—are expensive, not portable, and require skilled operators. As a result, these tools aren’t practical for everyday training, leaving coaches with limited insights into athletes’ performance and injury risks.
The Solution
This invention introduces a portable, weighted resistance sled that can both measure and help train athletes. It features a built-in force sensor (load cell) that records how hard the athlete pushes or pulls the sled, either by holding a handle or using a tether. The sled is designed to work in two modes—push and pull—allowing versatile testing across various sprinting movements.
The Inventive Step
Unlike traditional equipment, this sled integrates an adjustable handle and specialized load cells that can track forces in multiple directions or dimensions. The system intelligently switches between modes and accurately measures force exerted by each leg during different sprint phases. It can also transmit data wirelessly for real-time analysis—something rarely offered in similar sleds.
Key Benefits
- Tracks left/right leg power, stride length and rate, and force imbalances.
- Helps detect injury risks early and monitors rehabilitation progress.
- Portable, adjustable, and easy to use without expert supervision.
- Offers real-time or stored performance data for athletes and coaches.
Broader Impact
This invention empowers coaches, therapists, and athletes with precise, accessible performance insights—potentially reducing injuries, improving training, and making elite-level biomechanics accessible at field level. It bridges the gap between lab-grade analysis and everyday athletic training, supporting safer and more effective sports performance.