In the Netherlands, running fever has truly taken over—even Prime Minister Dick Schoof has caught the bug! Yesterday, he secretly joined the Amsterdam Half-Marathon under the alias Peter Jansen. Despite trying to fly under the radar, fellow runners and spectators quickly recognized him, and his participation made headlines nationwide today.
Why this is important:
Running is increasingly popular, and many people approach it as a way to exercise. AI can help improve our performance and even prevent injuries.
With some marathon events scheduled for the coming weeks, you might be looking for help improving your performance, breaking your previous record, or managing your training. Go no further: AI has got you covered.
AI algorithms are reshaping running training thanks to their ability to analyze data. From injury prevention to tailor-made training schedules, there are many ways AI can help you prepare for a marathon. Here are three applications you should know about.
Smart soles: a quantum leap in injury prevention
Smart soles, as developed by researchers in Maastricht, introduce a new dimension to running. These sensor-equipped insoles, merely 2 mm thick, employ AI to analyze joint loads, offering real-time feedback to athletes. The goal is clear: reduce injury risks by accurately predicting stress on joints, such as the Achilles tendon. In fact, 50% of runners experience injuries.
In a study involving 19 runners, these insoles demonstrated a significant edge over traditional methods, boasting a minimal margin of error. While wearing the soles, runners ran on a treadmill at different speeds and inclines. Their data was collected and used by researchers to train an algorithm to predict muscle stress.
The practical implementation by ARION.run shows a potential 30% increase in athlete availability and a 10% performance boost, transforming how runners manage their training loads.
Flit Run: your virtual coach
Flit Run takes a different approach. The app prides itself on simplicity, giving runners a clear directive: just run. The app creates personalized training programs, guiding runners on speed and effort for each session. Integrating with running apps such as Strava and Garmin Connect, Flit Run processes the data they get
With Flit Run, the absence of a physical coach is not a detriment but a design choice. The app’s automated system analyses past sessions to adapt future workouts, ensuring runners are continually challenged and progressing. Each session adjusts to the user’s strengths and weaknesses, and the app can adapt training when life’s unpredictability interferes with the best-laid plans.
Despite lacking a physical coach, Flit Run algorithms have been designed by professional running coaches, backed by sport physiology models. Each analysis and recommendation is based on several physiological models, enabling an understanding of each user’s profile based on field data.
An app for more experienced athletes
If you have several runs under your belt, you might be looking for something more, and Humango™ might be the right fit for you. This platform, designed by athletes, provides a highly individualized training experience. The app boasts Hugo, its virtual coaching assistant, which creates a training calendar and adapts it to the runner— changing it if notified after picking up an injury, for instance.
Hugo absorbs data from multiple sources, like mainstream running apps, translating it into actionable insights and real-time adjustments. This ensures that training plans are not static but dynamic, evolving with the athlete’s performance and feedback. Hugo’s capabilities include visualizing improvements and managing the risk of overtraining by suggesting when to ease off. This intelligent pacing is essential for long-term athletic development, striking the right balance between intensity and recovery.
The app also offers multi-sport support, including triathlons, duathlons, and individual sports such as running and cycling. Based on the user’s input, the platform creates a tailor-made schedule for each discipline.
Keep running with AI
So, are you ready to level up your running game? Forget the guesswork and let AI be your personal training coach. Whether you’re a seasoned marathoner or just starting your running journey, there’s an AI-powered tool out there to help you crush your goals. From smart soles that prevent injuries to personalized training plans that keep you motivated, AI is revolutionizing the way we run. So, lace up your shoes, download your perfect running partner, and get ready to experience a whole new level of speed, strength, and performance.
