How Nanotechnology is Revolutionizing Sports: Better Protection and Stronger Support

Academic Background

With the continuous development of modern sports activities, the performance of athletes, training methods, and the demands for sports equipment are also evolving. Traditional sports equipment and training methods can no longer meet the high requirements of modern sports competitions. Nanotechnology, as a cutting-edge technology, has gradually been applied in the field of sports due to its unique advantages in materials science. Nanomaterials, with their nanoscale dimensions, possess unique physical and chemical properties that hold great potential in enhancing the performance of sports equipment, protecting athletes’ health, and optimizing training feedback.

This article aims to explore the wide-ranging applications of nanotechnology in sports, including wearable devices, personal thermal management devices, functional sports fabrics, sports equipment, and sports medicine. By analyzing the principles of nanomaterials, current challenges, and future opportunities, this paper provides researchers with new perspectives on how to leverage nanotechnology to advance sports development.

Source of the Paper

This paper was co-authored by Mu-Yang Li and Huan Peng, from the School of Physical Education, Shaoguan University and the College of Life Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, respectively. The paper was published in the journal ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering as part of the special issue “ACS BMSE Early Career Investigators” and was made available online on December 23, 2025.

Main Content of the Paper

1. Applications of Nanotechnology in Wearable Devices

Wearable devices have become a hot topic in the field of sports technology in recent years. By integrating sensors, communication modules, processors, and other electronic components, wearable devices can monitor athletes’ physiological signals and movement data in real time, providing coaches with scientific training advice. The introduction of nanomaterials has made wearable devices more flexible, durable, and efficient.

• Advantages of Nanomaterials: Nanomaterials such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene (Gr) exhibit excellent conductivity and mechanical properties, significantly enhancing the sensitivity and response speed of sensors. For example, Chen et al. combined graphene with carbon nanotubes to develop a highly sensitive strain sensor capable of accurately monitoring actions such as knee bending and breathing.

• Self-Powered Sensors: Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) are a new type of self-powered sensor that can convert mechanical energy into electrical energy for monitoring athletes’ movement states. Liu et al. developed a TENG based on the superelastic polymer Ecoflex, which can be used for boundary detection in ball sports.

2. Applications of Nanotechnology in Personal Thermal Management Devices

Athletes are prone to heat stress or hypothermia during high-intensity exercise or in extreme environments. Traditional thermal management devices such as air conditioning systems are energy-intensive and unsuitable for outdoor environments. Nanotechnology, through the development of functional fabrics, can effectively regulate athletes’ body temperature.

• Radiative Cooling Fabrics: Nanoporous polyethylene (PE) fabrics exhibit high infrared transmittance, effectively dissipating heat. Hsu et al. developed a nano-PE fabric that showed a 2°C cooling effect compared to cotton fabrics in simulated skin experiments.

• Radiative Heating Fabrics: Metal nanomaterials such as silver nanowires (AgNWs) can generate heat by absorbing sunlight, helping athletes maintain body temperature in cold environments. Higueros et al. designed a silver nanowire fiber network coating with high transmittance in the visible light spectrum, significantly enhancing heat input.

3. Applications of Nanotechnology in Multifunctional Sports Fabrics

Sports fabrics not only need to provide comfort but also require functionalities such as antibacterial properties, UV resistance, and self-cleaning. Nanomaterials, through their unique physical and chemical properties, can endow fabrics with multiple functionalities.

• Antibacterial Functionality: Silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles can kill bacteria by disrupting microbial cell membranes or generating reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cao et al. developed MoS2 hollow nanospheres that generate heat and ROS under near-infrared light irradiation, achieving a 99% kill rate against E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

• Self-Cleaning Functionality: By constructing superhydrophobic surfaces, nanomaterials can impart self-cleaning properties to fabrics. Tung et al. developed a TiO2/PDMS composite material with a contact angle of 156.7°, exhibiting excellent superhydrophobicity and self-cleaning performance.

4. Applications of Nanotechnology in Sports Equipment

The performance of sports equipment directly affects athletes’ performance. Traditional sports equipment materials such as aluminum and titanium alloys, while strong, are heavy. The introduction of nanomaterials can significantly enhance the strength and lightweight properties of sports equipment.

• Applications of Carbon Nanomaterials: Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene (Gr) exhibit excellent mechanical properties and conductivity, making them suitable for manufacturing lightweight and high-strength sports equipment. Miao et al. developed a graphene-rubber composite material that showed excellent durability and performance improvement when used in badminton rackets.

5. Applications of Nanotechnology in Sports Medicine

Sports injuries are a common issue faced by athletes, and nanomaterials provide new solutions for the prevention and treatment of sports injuries.

• Bone Injury Repair: Nanohydroxyapatite (n-HA) exhibits good biocompatibility and osteoinductive properties, making it suitable for bone tissue repair. Zeng et al. developed a polyamide 66 (PA66)/n-HA composite material that showed significant bone cell proliferation and differentiation capabilities in vitro experiments.

• Ligament Repair: Carbon nanofibers possess excellent mechanical properties and can be used in the manufacture of artificial ligaments. Wang et al. developed a helical carbon nanotube artificial ligament that demonstrated good bone integration and mechanical properties in animal experiments.

Significance and Value of the Paper

This paper systematically summarizes the wide-ranging applications of nanotechnology in sports, covering multiple fields from wearable devices to sports medicine. Through the introduction of nanomaterials, athletes’ training feedback has become more precise, the performance of sports equipment has significantly improved, and new breakthroughs have been made in the prevention and treatment of sports injuries. This paper not only provides researchers with new ideas for the application of nanotechnology in sports but also lays the foundation for future interdisciplinary collaborations.

Highlights and Innovations

• Development of Multifunctional Nanomaterials: This paper details the applications of various nanomaterials in the field of sports, showcasing the immense potential of nanomaterials in enhancing sports equipment performance and protecting athletes’ health.

• Innovation in Self-Powered Sensors: The application of triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) provides new solutions for monitoring athletes’ movements, reducing reliance on external power sources.

• Personalized Thermal Management: Through the functional design of nanomaterials, athletes can maintain comfortable body temperatures in extreme environments, improving performance and safety.

Conclusion

Nanotechnology is profoundly transforming various aspects of sports. From wearable devices to sports medicine, the application of nanomaterials provides athletes with better protection and support. Although the application of nanomaterials in sports still faces challenges such as high costs and unknown safety issues, with the development of green chemistry and modular synthesis technologies, nanotechnology is expected to further advance sports science in the future. “`