October 2006, Issue #51
Sports Engineering
Sports is big business in the United States and around the world. In the U.S. alone, the sporting goods industry is valued at $50 billion annually, and it's heavily dependent on the development of new products that enhance performance and increase safety. Engineering breakthroughs have had a significant impact on a wide range of sporting equipment—from bindings on skis to golf clubs, baseball bats, race cars, exercise equipment, and much more. In addition, an understanding engineering and physics principles has also contributed to dramatic improvements in technique in many sports. These improvements have, in turn, made sports more exciting by helping athletes break through performance barriers to set new records.
What is sports engineering? Simply put, sports engineering is the application of engineering principles to:
- design and optimize the equipment and/or facilities athletes use;
- analyze and improve athletic techniques and performance; and
- reduce injuries through improved techniques or equipment.
Sports engineering is built around principles of mechanical engineering, fluid/aerodynamics, and biomechanical engineering. Virtually every sport has benefited from engineering enhancements. Sports engineers use their background in areas to do such things as:
- understand the mechanics of tennis ball bounce;
- optimize the hull of a racing yacht;
- develop a new surface for a sports court that improves performance or reduces injuries;
- understand the relationship between foot placement and accuracy of kicks in soccer;
- apply damping technology in tennis rackets to reduce tennis elbow;
- understand the musculoskeletal work involved in gymnastics to improve performance and reduce injuries;
- improve the suspension system of a formula 1 racing car;
- use computational fluid dynamics to analyze swimming strokes and modify technique for faster times;
- design and manufacture high performance golf clubs; and
- many others.
Mechanical Engineering—The Degree of Choice in the U.S.
Sports engineering is an emerging field. Most degree-specific programs today are centered in the United Kingdom. Two universities in the United States—University of California-Davis and MIT—have developed research center for sports engineering; however, neither offer specific degrees in sports engineering. That's not a problem for engineering students in the United States, however. Mechanical engineering is the degree most recognized by sporting good manufactures. Even in the U.K., sports engineering programs typically fall under the department of mechanical engineering and are built around a core cluster of mechanical engineering courses with a few specialty courses in sports engineering.
In addition to obtaining a mechanical engineering degree, it's a good idea to focus at least one project on a sports-based topic and intern or co-op with a sporting-related company. Students also may wish to take a few courses in materials engineering, biomechanics, applied physiology, or kinesiology to round out the skills and knowledge they can apply to sports engineering challenges. And of course, experience and a passion for the sport can also add to your qualifications.
Career Paths
Engineering graduates interested in sports engineering can apply directly to a sporting goods manufacturer or sporting organization or stay at a university to conduct sports research or work toward a higher degree. The U.S. Olympics Committee and other sports groups are funding some of the research at universities. Sports engineering principles can be applied in the following activities/disciplines:
- Innovation and Design
- Industrial Design
- Modeling
- Materials
- Measurement Systems
- Computer Application in Sports
- Testing, Prototyping, Benchmarking
- Safety
- Biomechanics
- Shoes
- Apparel
Related Links:
International Sports Engineering Association
University of California, Davis—Sports Biomechans Lab
MIT Center for Sports Innovation
High Tech Hot Shots: Careers in Sports Engineering
Journal of Biomechanics (use the quick search to find a sport or topic of choice)
Other useful links
