New 'smart' cycling shorts use electric current to enhance muscle performance

British start-up Inpulse to launch new shorts in April

Inpulse shorts

A neuroscience researcher at the University of Southampton has created a pair of ‘smart’ cycling shorts that use electrical sensors and artificial intelligence to improve muscle function.

According to the Times, PhD student Devon Lewis came up with the idea after studying neuromuscular junctions, a connection between the brain and the muscles that sends chemical signals from motor neurons to muscle fibres to make the muscles contract and strengthen.

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Simon Smythe

Simon Smythe is a hugely experienced cycling tech writer, who has been writing for Cycling Weekly since 2003. Until recently he was our senior tech writer. In his cycling career Simon has mostly focused on time trialling with a national medal, a few open wins and his club's 30-mile record in his palmares. These days he spends most of his time testing road bikes, or on a tandem doing the school run with his younger son.