Sport masks off
Reebok takes a look at the future of sport and paints a bleak picture in three draft fitness masks.
Until now, a fitness mask has been used to simulate high-altitude sports and improve one's cardio respiratory fitness. But Reebok, an American sporting goods manufacturer, believes that increasing air pollution, coupled with frequent pandemics, will make masks part of our daily workout routine long after the current health crisis.
"Unfortunately, this is the new norm," says Don Albert, director of Reebok's European Innovation Lab. "In many parts of the world, particularly in Asia, people already regularly wear masks when training outdoors. The coronavirus only increases the need for them."
Albert and his team have designed three prototype masks that protect athletes from dangerous particles in the atmosphere while simultaneously recording information about the wearer's oxygen levels and other vital signs. At present, the team is still at an early design stage, but these masks depict a dystopian future. "This could be the future of fitness," says Albert.
The sensory mask
This mask looks a lot like the one we see around us right now. While most masks cover the face, this one has a transparent area around the mouth. Reebok's research has shown that people see sport as a social enterprise and therefore like to express their feelings and see other people's faces. This mask filters out soot particles, for example, while allowing the wearer to communicate with those around them. Albert imagines the mask would be equipped with sensors to track the wearer's heart and breathing rates, which would then be logged in an app.
The "diving" mask
This more-than-intriguing mask is a sort of shield that extends over the entire face and includes a hood and breathing apparatus. Sensors located in the face and head area collect countless data. Albert imagines this mask in combination with an application to help the wearer improve his or her performance in any activity. Using the app, the user can adjust the conditions inside the mask, from temperature to oxygen content.
The symbiosis mask
This is a breathing mask incorporating organic substances, such as algae or foam, responsible for purifying the air by absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and releasing oxygen. In this case, the mask would also filter out dangerous particles such as viruses. "We've already seen how algae are used to clean polluted air. We think this could be a natural cleaning system for a mask," explains Don Albert.
According to him, these drafts give an indication of how Reebok sees the future. Finally, the current crisis clearly shows the need for sports brands to invest in fitness masks in the coming years. In Albert's imagined future, a mask could be an essential training accessory.
From radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.