Gallery: Every Olympian Is Kind of a Cyborg
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Today’s elite athletes depend on performance enhancing technologies.
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One such example? Nike's AeroBlades, tiny, 3D-printed teeth that get strategically applied to parts of runners' apparel and bodies. Wind tunnel testing suggests they can improve the flow of air around the athlete—reducing drag and energy expenditure, and shaving precious fractions of a second from a runner’s time.
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Several athletes in Rio chose to do this: The AeroBlades showed up on jerseys across different track events.
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Speedo's new LZR Racer X suits are yet another example. They have have one-way stretch compression zones around the thighs and glute, prompting swimmers to keep certain muscles activated.
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Likewise, strategically placed welded seams around the abdomen encourage athletes to engage those muscles. Together, the new suits create a system of literal prods and tactile coaching reminders—a haptic interface that doesn’t exist on a normal swimsuit.
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The details extend through the suit: the straps feature laser cut holes that allow the shoulder bands to lay flat and not bunch—a detail Speedo says exists for comfort, but still can affect performance.
