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This was a subject of an article “Issue 206: Wearables” released on October 25th, 2022, by well-respected Fitt Insider Author and Co-Founder Anthony Vennare.   The use of technology in sports and health and wellness has grown exponentially in recent years but despite the vast amount of information being collected, “siloed data and a lack of actionable insights pose challenges for companies and consumers alike (Vennare).”

Healthcare and Wellness Re-imagined?

As Vennare discusses in his article, the health and wellness journey is being re-imagined as we speak, as consumers are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with the broken healthcare system.  A radical transformation is underway and users are taking a much more active role in managing their own personal health and well-being, aggregating insights from a wide range of health wearables.  For many however, there is a disconnect between the collection and interpretation of data with the personalized recommendations and the tools necessary to create behavioral changes, leaving the majority with only marginal success as they continue to seek out increasingly sophisticated methods.

While it is important to empower individuals with the right data, it is arguably just as important, if not more so, to provide them with the TOOLS to actually address these findings in order to actually create meaningful change.  PantherTec offers a promising solution to address this through their Kinesthetic Awareness Training (KAT) system.

The KAT is a wearable motion capture and correction feedback system, utilizing wireless sensors. There are no specific movements or exercises embedded inside the KAT, therefore it is not a one-size-fits-all approach, but offers a unique way to customize instruction to the individual’s unique biomechanics.

Is this information actually being used to make decisions?  

Many training aids come with pre-determined ideas and techniques as to the correct way to hit a baseball, throw a fastball, and shoot a free throw, BUT they all have one thing in common. They are designed to fit the masses by compressing all body types, shapes, styles and preferences into a one size fits all technique via numbers or images displayed on a screen. These aids may work well in the beginning to help an athlete achieve the core components of a movement, but each individual is different.  So, we developed a movement training system that can be customized for each individual.

Kinesthetic Awareness refers to the awareness of the body’s position and movement in space and time.   This sense is generated by receptors within joints and muscles that respond to the body’s motion.  Kinesthetic Awareness Training refers to a method of training in which the brain improves the interpretation of sensory inputs from the body and environment to more accurately measure and control the body position and movement in space and time.  The body’s sensory-motor system consists of a network of pathways that send information from the body (via mechanoreceptors) and the environment (via visual receptors) to the brain.  The brain interprets and prioritizes those signals to create a ‘model’ of where the body is in space and time. During movement, the brain commands the muscles to move in a certain way based on this ‘model’. When the brain’s own model of the body is flawed, the movement itself becomes flawed.

Our Company founder Dr. Jo Shattuck, an experienced coach, educated neuroscientist and former professional athlete, invented the Kinesthetic Awareness Training (KAT) system. The KAT system was created from Dr. Shattuck’s personal experience as a top 10 world-ranking professional racquetball player and 23 years coaching in a highly technical sport.  “My thought process was more about solving a problem than ‘starting’ a business. In my former career as a professional athlete and coach, I spent a lot of time teaching another human to move in a certain way, and I realized there had to be a better way to do it. Words, verbal cues and images or video did help the student understand what they were doing, and/or what they should be doing, but those tools didn’t help them actually MAKE or FEEL the change.”

We are happy to provide two KAT systems to support Dr. Zuniga in his NIH-funded study at UNO. Learn more about PantherTec’s research program by contacting Dr. Jo Shattuck at joshattuck@panthertec.net.

The influence of 3D printed prostheses on neural activation patterns of the primary motor cortex in children with unilateral congenital upper-limb reductions.

PI Name: Dr. Jorge M Zuniga, NIH Number: 5R01NS114282-04,
https://reporter.nih.gov/search/8t9_U89qVUit5EKjhnOEDQ/project-details/10533798

The KAT SPACE index is an assessment in development designed to measure an athlete’s mastery of their body or sport instrument in their surrounding sensorimotor space.

PantherTec is developing a standardized proprioceptive assessment and training with the KATs patented technology and feedback platform in order to explore and compare the differences in magnitude and direction of proprioceptive errors in pre-determined and self-determined movement replication in 3d multiplane, multi-joint movements, and develop appropriate training protocols.  Learn more about volunteering for a multi-site research project and other opportunities by emailing Dr. Jo Shattuck   joshattuck@panthertec.net

Dr. Shattuck and Sue Rocco talk about Jo’s pro sport career, becoming a neuroscientist, startup struggles, muscle memory and more. https://lnkd.in/egkmYy35

The Research of Movement Program (ROMP) offers early access to PantherTec technology to conduct research for non-commercial purposes, with the goal of furthering the scientific knowledge base and offering faculty and students use of PantherTec products while completing projects during their studies. The agreement will allow your institution to conduct independent research with our technology at no-cost (or limited cost) in exchange for the data and information generated.
PantherTec is currently offering several $500 grants to graduate students (or pair an undergraduate with a graduate student) to help offset costs for presenting the research findings. Click here to apply

TechCrunch chose us as a StartupBattlefield company for the leading Tech Startup Conference in San Francisco, CA. Only 200 out of several thousand startups applied to exhibit at #Disrupt2022! So much time and sweat equity goes into building a startup, and we’re incredibly proud to achieve this milestone and receive this recognition!

Dr. Shattuck gives a short proposal for using the KAT System in space to mitigate the negative effects of altered gravity for space travelers. We offer a huge thank you to the the BSURE (Boosting Spaceflight Underrepresented Researcher Equity, and TRISH (Translational Research in Space Health) Diversity program, Dr. Shattuck was able to meet, network and learn from experiences space researchers in Orlando, FL Workshop.

https://shoutoutcolorado.com/meet-dr-jo-shattuck-athlete-coach-neuroscientist-female-founder-patent-holder/

PantherTec shows the KAT System in Denver Startup Week at the Physical Product Showcase. We are proud to join other Startups to show off Colorado Innovations. Thank to the DSW Committee for once again, putting on a wonderful event!

Similar to how a car’s beeping system warns you before you crash, PantherTec’s kinesthetic awareness training consists of wearable sensors that vibrate when your body movements are off – to help correct and accelerate muscle memory in sport and rehab.

In an effort to highlight up-and-coming startups, Built In has launched The Future 5 across 11 major U.S. tech hubs. Each quarter, we will feature five tech startups, nonprofits or entrepreneurs in each of these hubs who just might be working on the next big thing. Read about PantherTec here.

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Listen to this 15 minute piece to learn about the technology behind the Kinesthetic Awareness Training System with Dr. Jo Shattuck on the national radio show and podcast “Into Tomorrow with Dave Graveline”

Neuroscientist Dr. Jo Shattuck dicusses the story behind KAT with Kimberly Archuletta. Try the quick kinesthetic awareness test and recalibrate your own self.

Click here for video

Click here for link

Imagine being able to feel when you perform the correct golf swing or tennis serve, as taught by your own coach – so you develop the correct muscle memory, improve your skills, and reduce the chance of injury.

Dr. Jo Shattuck talks with Stephen Jaye about traveling the world as a professional racquetball athlete, living in a camper and being an underdog.

Watch and listen

From heartache and loss often comes success and joy and Jo has experienced all of that.
Perhaps racquetball saved Dr Jo Shattuck’s life trajectory, at least it had a significant impact on it. In this episode we hear how Dr Jo went from falling in love with racquetball, becoming a Professional Tour Player then retiring to pursue a career as a neuroscientist and now managing a start-up that she co-founded to impact human potential in sport.

Dr. Jo Shattuck, Tyler Shepple and Justin Wick talk about how they have used the KAT in baseball applications on Rob Gray’s world-renowned Perception and Action Podcast. Dr. Jo begins with a short introduction to the KAT System.