From muscle strains to ankle sprains, sports can bring about a number of injuries. Sometimes preventing common sports injuries is beyond our control, but many times sports injuries are preventable. Now, Fathom AI, a Durham-based startup founded by two former Duke athletes, developed a new wearable app and sensor that can help professional athletes minimize their risk of injury.
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Ivonna Dumanyan, 24, and Gabrielle Levac, 27, the two former Duke athletes, recently launched their three-sensor wearable. The device consists of a smartphone app and three sticker-sized biosensors that are attached to the ankles and lower back of the wearer. It collects readings from more than 100 different biodata categories such as fatigue, variation in performance between days and between exercises. The wearable uses artificial intelligence and the athlete’s biodata to build a customized prep and recovery routine and prevent sports injuries.
“We’re really hoping to make a big difference in the lives of the people we serve,” Dumanyan told WRAL TechWire.
“Many people don’t realize that the most effective injury prevention may start with just 10 or 15 minutes daily of data-driven prep and recovery to keep small things from becoming serious injuries.”
An AI analyzes the metrics in order to determine whether an athlete might be overtraining or pushing their body into states where injury could become more likely. The technology can also work together with other biometric data apps like Apple Health or Garmin's smartwatches.
“We essentially build this massive model on how you move that is unique to you,” Dumanyan said. “From that, we create a hyper- personalized exercise plan to balance the stresses on your body and correct those imbalances.”
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Although the device is undergoing limited testing, anyone wishing to use it can order it via the company’s website.
The company plans to launch the wearables soon for a retail price of $299 plus a $29 monthly subscription.
