The healthcare industry continues to be a hotbed of innovation, with activity driven by telemedicine, real-time diagnostics, smart hospitals and access to digital therapies, and the growing importance of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the internet of things (IoT), augmented reality (AR), robotics and data management practices. In the last three years alone, there have been over 106,000 patents filed and granted in the healthcare industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Personal Health Data in Healthcare: Athletic performance monitoring applications.
According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which uses over 443,000 patents to analyse innovation intensity for the healthcare industry, there are 200+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.
Athletic performance monitoring applications is a key innovation area in personal health data
Athletic performance monitoring applications include few physiological status monitoring devices for exercises like running and walking including heart rate monitor, glucose monitors etc. Using best-practice resources, competition-aligned strategies, and evidence-based procedures, aids in optimising performance, decreasing injury risk, and boosting collaboration across all levels. It is crucial to keep tabs on training loads and athletes’ fitness levels on a regular basis to ensure a steady rise in performance.
GlobalData’s analysis also uncovers the companies at the forefront of each innovation area and assesses the potential reach and impact of their patenting activity across different applications and geographies. According to GlobalData, there are 10+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established healthcare companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of athletic performance monitoring applications.
Key players in athletic performance monitoring applications – a disruptive innovation in the healthcare industry
‘Application diversity’ measures the number of different applications identified for each relevant patent and broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.
‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of different countries each relevant patent is registered in and reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.
Patent volumes related to athletic performance monitoring applications
| Company | Total patents (2010 - 2021) | Premium intelligence on the world's largest companies |
| NIKE | 112 | Unlock company profile |
| adidas | 57 | Unlock company profile |
| Sony Group | 42 | Unlock company profile |
| Technikka Conexion | 31 | Unlock company profile |
| Alphabet | 18 | Unlock company profile |
| Project X | 12 | Unlock company profile |
| Samsung Group | 11 | Unlock company profile |
| Koninklijke Philips | 9 | Unlock company profile |
| Blast Motion | 8 | Unlock company profile |
| FitStar Labs | 7 | Unlock company profile |
| Casio Computer | 6 | Unlock company profile |
| Microsoft | 5 | Unlock company profile |
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
NIKE, adidas, and Technikka Conexion are the leading patent filers in the personal health data for athletic performance monitoring applications. Some other leading patent filers include Sony Group and Alphabet.
In terms of application diversity, Technikka Conexion leads, followed by adidas and NIKE. With regards to geographic reach, NIKE, Koninklijke Philips, and Sony Group are the leading companies.
Technologies for measuring athletes’ health and performance are transforming the sports world. Although some technical and privacy issues remain, the widespread dissemination of detailed data has the potential to have a profoundly positive impact on the world of sport.
To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the healthcare industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Personal Health Data.
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