Olympics: Technogym’s AI-Based Digital Ecosystem Supports Athletes by Personalizing Training to Optimize Performance

As artificial intelligence continues to permeate an increasing number of sectors, the world of sports needs a framework to regulate AI and promote its responsible use. As a response, the IOC launched its Olympic AI agenda in April.

The IOC President, Thomas Bach, said AI can help identify talent in every corner of the world. More importantly, it can support athletes who want to improve their performance. 

Modern digital equipment not only provides athletes with projections and training algorithms but also enhances the audience experience. Viewers can now access a range of live parameters, gaining deeper insights into an athlete’s performance. And this engaging element adds to the thrill of the sporting event.

How Technogym innovates using AI, body mapping, and digital technology

In this context of global advancements in technology and sports, Technogym has remained ahead of its time, adapting its products and digital services to the AI era. 

Technogym has been the Official Supplier of the Olympic Games since Sydney 2000 (and will be until Paris 2024). This recognition can only be achieved by winning a tender, ensuring the highest production and quality standards, and providing products that athletes appreciate and want.

All this was made possible primarily thanks to Technogym Lab, the beating heart of medical and scientific research at the Technogym Village and one of the world’s most advanced sports physiology and biomechanics laboratories. Led by a scientific team supported by athletes, physicians, universities, and researchers from all over the world, the Technogym Lab perfectly epitomises Technogym’s 40 years of experience developing fitness, sports performance, and rehabilitation equipment and digital solutions.

Technogym provides elite athletes with all the support they need, starting from an in-depth analysis focusing on sport-specific tests, including strength, anaerobic/lactate threshold, and autonomic nervous system tests. This process allows for accurately assessing the athlete’s performance and functional status and creating products imagined by athletes for athletes (professional and amateur alike).

In this age of AI and big data, biomedical, biomechanical and performance-related data can be easily measured and analysed through sensors to obtain an accurate picture of one’s body’s conditions. This constant monitoring shows how the body works and reacts to certain stimuli, and athletes and their teams can tailor their training programs accordingly. Some programs even allow you to create a virtual projection of the athlete’s body to obtain instant feedback and improve technical gestures down to the millimetre.

Moreover, AI can even help organise training sessions and suggest alternative exercises in case of injury or other impediments. It’s like having a virtual coach that guides you to achieving your goals.

AI tools have become crucial allies for today’s Olympic athletes, who can no longer avoid incorporating them into their training programs. This goes for amateur athletes as well.

What AI innovations will Technogym bring to Paris 2024?

In the 29 training centres for the over 15,000 Olympic and Paralympic athletes in Paris 2024, two products will stand out among Technogym’s AI-powered innovations to help optimise their performance: Technogym Checkup and Biostrength.

Technogym Checkup allows for accurate physical and cognitive analyses and for discovering the age that reflects the body’s physical and functional conditions. This innovative AI-powered assessment station is ideal for customising every single training program. Once you log in through the Technogym App, Technogym Checkup scans the body composition and analyses strength and cardio performance (through activities on equipment within the Technogym Ecosystem), balance, mobility, and cognitive abilities. 

Then, the Technogym Ecosystem’s AI Coach sets targeted training protocols that can be adjusted to focus on improvement areas. In addition, with Technogym Checkup, industry operators can provide their customers with a unique, personalised service to ensure a seamless training experience, from first access to configuring the program and training using Technogym products.

The 15 Biostrength products, also part of the Technogym Ecosystem, are the next-generation of strength-training. They allow you to work effectively on all muscle groups through 6 workload modes (isotonic, no inertia, eccentric overload, eccentric reduction, viscous, and elastic). Its AI-driven technology allows Biostrength to guide users and help them improve their results by 30% in the same time as a traditional training session. 

Biostrength allows you to train with the proper workload, range of motion, posture, and speed. It also specifies the optimal number of sets, repetitions and recovery time. In addition, its patented Biodrive system—which uses aerospace technology—enhances the exercise’s effectiveness based on the goal you want to achieve. Biodrive even recognises when fatigue sets in, and the spotter feature automatically reduces the load to allow you to complete the set.