The sportslab: our lab analysing the sportswomen and men's body

It's our lab dedicated to research and development of the sport user's body.
In actual fact, it's not one but 4 laboratories: a thermal comfort lab, a movement sciences lab, a body morphology lab and sensory and behavioural sciences lab. Equipped with tools for measuring and analysing, all our teams explore how the body works, and what its needs are in each environment.Every day, fifty or so engineers conduct studies into body movement to understand how it works.And even better, identify the needs depending on the discipline or other parameters.

The SportsLab analyses the interactions between the moving body and the products, making sure these are suitable for the human body, its shape and its measurements. For example, a footballer needs a shoe that fits differently to get a better feel for the ball, while a runner prefers a wider and longer shoe for greater comfort.

In the picture, André, a R&D engineer within the DECATHLON SportsLab, talks about sports user's foot research.

Designing a well-adapted product isn't just about comfort or efficiency. It's also and especially a safety issue:  a well-adapted bike helmet or diving mask on respectively a head or face makes all the difference. It's not an added extra it's fundamental.

SportsLab engineers have mastered 3D scanning to better get to know and analyse the sport user's body morphology.

How does it work?
→ They carry out 3D scanning campaigns of different sports users. In practice, for helmets or masks, they scan the head and face to observe all types of face shapes.
→ They then analyse the data obtained.
→ Based on these data they define the shape the product must have to adapt to the body's anatomy.

In the picture: We scan the foot to make sure the future shoe is perfectly well-adapted.