If you want to run faster, it definitely helps to know what it feels like to run faster. The Airshield was designed with that fact in mind, as it allows runners to train without experiencing any air resistance. Currently in prototype form, the Airshield is being developed by Prof. Melanie Zeilinger, Dr. Andrea Carron, Prof. Christina Spengler, and colleagues at ETH Zurich in Switzerland. It was created for use in an existing technique known as “overspeed training.” Overspeed training involves utilizing artificial means to allow an athlete to run faster than they are currently able to unaided. This helps their body learn the neuromuscular sequences required to run at that speed, with the idea being that the athlete will subsequently be able to recreate those sequences – and that level of performance – without any outside help.
The Airshield is an open-backed, wedge-shaped cart with sheets of translucent plastic covering the sides and front. This cart is pulled by an electric go-kart that is driven by a person and runs on a running track. A rear-facing LiDAR sensor inside the shield continuously calculates the distance between the runner and the shield while the athlete runs directly behind it. The go-kart receives the data wirelessly and uses it to determine how fast or slow to travel to maintain the runner in the “sweet spot”; the driver only needs to steer. The shield also has several video cameras installed, which record the athlete so they and their coach can review it afterward.
The Airshield is poised to revolutionize how athletes train for speed. By providing a wind-free environment, it enables runners to experience higher speeds than they could achieve on their own, helping to enhance their performance and technique. While there’s currently no word on when the Airshield may enter regular use, its potential impact on athletic training is undeniably exciting.