i — From Military to Sports
Exoskeletons are wearable robotic devices that increase human strength, endurance or speed. Their initial development was funded by the military, but now the technology is reaching gyms and rehabilitation centers. Modern exoskeletons can reduce energy expenditure when walking and increase strength when lifting weights.
🎯 Types of Exoskeletons
🦿 Lower-Body Exoskeletons
Focused on the legs and hips. Help run, walk, squat and lift. Used in rehabilitation after spinal injuries and in athletes' strength training.
🦾 Upper-Body Exoskeletons
Focused on the arms, shoulders and back. Help lift, push and pull. Used in weightlifting and tennis training.
🏃 Full-Body Exoskeletons
Cover all limbs. Can increase endurance up to and reduce injury risk. Used in extreme sports.
🎯 Soft Exoskeletons
Textile exoskeletons with artificial muscles (pneumatic or electroactive). Lighter and more flexible than rigid models.
📊 Exoskeletons in Sports
| Model | Type | Effect | Price (EUR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ReWalk Personal 6.0 | Lower-body | Allows walking after paralysis | ~70,000 |
| EksoNR | Lower-body | Rehabilitation after stroke and injuries | ~100,000 |
| Sarcos Guardian XO | Full-body | Lifts up to 90 kg without fatigue | ~90,000 |
| Harvard Exosuit | Soft | Reduces energy expenditure | Experimental |
| Samsung GEMS | Lower-body | Assistance when walking and running | ~3,000 |
🔮 Future Vision
2025–2028
Soft exoskeletons will become available for 500–1000 EUR. They will be used to increase running and walking efficiency.
2028–2032
Exoskeletons with AI adaptability — automatically adapt to the athlete's movements, fatigue and environment.
2032–2040
Exoskeletons will become invisible — integrated into clothing. They will look like ordinary sportswear but provide a 20–30% increase in strength and endurance.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Some are already widely used (AI analytics, smart clothing), while others are still being tested in laboratories or are available only to professional sport. Over the next 5–10 years, most of them will become more accessible to amateurs as well.
Most analytical and monitoring technologies are completely legal. However, some biological interventions (gene editing, optogenetics, artificial blood) are prohibited by WADA and other sports organisations. Always check the rules of your sport.
Smart clothing, VR training and AI analytics are already available at an acceptable price. Biotechnologies (gene therapy, cell therapy) are still expensive and experimental, but prices are falling rapidly.
🔬 Scientific Facts and Research
These innovations are based on decades of scientific research:
- MIT and Stanford There is evidence that AI analytics can reduce the risk of injury
- Scientific literature discusses that CRISPR gene editing can accelerate muscle regeneration by up to 2x
- WADA actively monitors the development of biotechnologies and updates the list of prohibited methods annually
- U.S. Army research with exoskeletons shows a 25–40% increase in endurance
⚡ Pro Tip
Technology is only a tool. Exoskeletons in Sports can provide incredible advantages, but the basic principles of sport do not change: consistent work, proper nutrition, rest and psychological preparation remain the most important. Innovations help optimise these processes rather than replace them.