PSV Women, in collaboration with TNO, High Tech Campus Eindhoven and BrabantSport, has taken an important step in the development of personalized sports nutrition. TNO has developed custom 3D-printed snacks called 'Nutri-Bites', which were applied at PSV following the Innovation Challenge organized last year. These snacks demonstrate how technology and nutrition can come together to support athletes individually.
Customized nutrition for elite athletes
Nutri-Bites are specially designed to fit the unique needs of each player. This takes into account personal factors such as training schedules, body composition, menstrual cycle, diet and taste preferences. By testing this technology, a new era of personalized nutrition is being explored.
José van Uden of TNO says, "With the Nutri-Bites we are exploring the possibilities of personalized nutrition in sports. The collaboration with PSV Women offers us valuable insights and shows how personalized nutrition can play a role in top sports." Janne Geers, food coach at PSV adds: "The Nutribites are a great example of how personalized nutrition can address the needs of our players. With the project we also aimed to increase awareness and knowledge about nutrition within the group."
Awareness around nutrition within PSV Women
The project contributed to increased awareness and knowledge within PSV Women about the importance of nutrition in top sports. By participating in this innovation, nutrition is increasingly seen as a strategic part of the coaching and development of players. Hilde de Vocht, director Ecosystem Management of High Tech Campus Eindhoven, emphasizes, "This collaboration shows how technology and sport strengthen each other. The use of customized nutrition contributes to the personal development of the players and inspires new ways of thinking about nutrition."
Nienke Nijenhuis of BrabantSport adds: "From BrabantSport's TeamNL center, we guide top athletes and talents to the highest stage. For example, we have been putting our expertise to work for Young PSV Women for many years. We see that women's football is continuing to professionalize and are happy to contribute our bit to that. TNO's Nutri-Bites are a promising start in personalized nutrition for football players. I am proud that we have made this innovation possible together with the High Tech Campus and PSV."
A step forward in sports nutrition
The Nutri-Bites show how technology can provide tailored nutrition in top sports. Together with TNO, PSV Women is researching how sports nutrition can become more personal, with extra attention to awareness and education. This collaboration shows how innovation can move sports forward.
