How tech gadgets designed with professional athletes in mind could improve longevity for the rest of us

Advancements designed to boost the performance of elite athletes can also enhance the longevity and quality of life for everyday individuals, according to industry experts. For instance, Caddix, a company known for its smart cleats, is expanding into everyday footwear to help the general public. Founder Jack Rasmussen emphasizes the importance of longevity in footwear, particularly in preventing wear and tear, even for those who are not athletes.

Similarly, chiropractor Jason Wersland's Theragun was initially created to aid his recovery from a motorcycle accident. However, he has observed how professional athletes use his products to manage their recovery, which could be useful for general population dealing with everyday aches and pains. Wersland believes that by changing an athlete's behavior, similar changes can be made in other people with proper guidance.

On the topic of wearable technology, Harry Gestetner, founder of Orion Sleep, warns against data fatigue caused by excessive information provided by such devices. Instead, Gestetner proposes an AI-enabled mattress cover, a passive product that can interpret sleep data to improve sleep quality. While wearables have helped people gain insight into their bodies, Gestetner believes the next step should be an intervention layer that can make use of this data.

Olympians Haleigh Washington and Claire Thompson have also shared insights about pain management. Washington, a two-time Olympic medalist, now pays closer attention to differentiating manageability from serious pain. Thompson, a medical student, advises people to spend time warming up before exercising to prevent injuries and prolong their training. She stresses that a simple warm-up can save hours of physical therapy in the long run.