Mouthguards, which are designed to prevent the jaw from closing abruptly during a violent impact, not only protect the teeth, but also reduce the risk of jaw fracture, concussion, cervical vertebrae injury or loss of consciousness. Several models of smart mouthguards have been tested in the rugby world, the IBA (International Boxing Association) announces a new technology that offers better protection for athletes but could also support judges in their decision making.

Artificial intelligence and sport

Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used to measure sports performance, with connected watches becoming a big hit with the general public. Databases and algorithms allow high level players and clubs of soccer, rugby… to analyze the strategies of their opponents, their own game to improve it but also to prevent injuries.

For the next Olympic Games in 2024 in Paris, the government has also bet on AI and deep learning and launched the Priority Research Program (PPR) “Very High Performance Sport” (VHPSS), endowed with 20 million euros, financed by the PIA and scientifically piloted by the CNRS. The call for expressions of interest had been launched in February 2019.

Innovative mouthguards

In 2014, Anthony Gonzales and Bob Merriman designed FITGuard (Force Impact Technologies Guard), a connected mouthguard to prevent concussions. Indeed, athletes in the game of action do not necessarily measure the violence of the blow received. This is precisely why FITGuard is designed: an LED lamp placed in front of this mouthguard lights up in different colors depending on the violence of the shock, red indicating a risk of concussion, the data are sent to a smartphone.

Several more innovative mouthguards are currently being studied by World Rugby. Thus, the ASM Clermont Auvergne has been chosen to test at the professional level those of the American company Prevent Biometrics which measure the frequency and intensity of shocks received during training and matches. The players’ jaws are scanned to make these custom-made mouthguards, which incorporate a chip that transfers the data collected by the accelerometer that also equips them.

On the other hand, several Premiership teams are testing PROTECHT, another connected system designed to fight concussions.

The IBA Mouthguard

The International Boxing Association has announced the successful testing of a new mouthguard that would offer better protection to boxers but also more accurate judging. It incorporates an accelerometer, a gyroscope and a transmitter.

During the 2022 Junior Boxing Championships recently held in Sofia, athletes wore it, the data collected is processed anonymously. They are accessible in real time to the doctors present during the fights, which allows them to better estimate the risks of trauma.

Judges can also use this data to evaluate the fights but, according to the IBA, even when it will be completely finalized, this technology is not intended to replace them.

Translated from Intelligence artificielle et sport : les protège-dents sont de plus en plus connectés