# Athlete-Approved Innovative Ankle Braces Betterguards' the Betterguard Serves Athletes By Kalin Ned | Published 2023-12-30 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/innovative-ankle-brace References: [betterguards](https://betterguards.com/products/the-betterguard-ankle-brace)  The BetterGuard, an innovative ankle brace developed by [NBA](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wearable-ultrasound-device)-backed sports tech company Betterguards, is making strides in [ankle injury protection](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wearable-mobility-device) for athletes. As part of the NBA Launchpad initiative, this first-of-its-kind brace offers advanced freedom of motion while actively preventing injuries in various sports. The product has gained notable adoption from NBA team athletic trainers and all-star players. The key feature of The BetterGuard lies in its smart mini-piston technology, which activates swiftly in critical situations to prevent injury-inducing movements. This responsive mechanism, operating in 30 milliseconds, outpaces the human body's 80-millisecond response time to critical movements. The innovative ankle brace's design is likened to a vehicle seatbelt, reacting faster than the body can adjust to protect against potential harm. The brace's integration into the NBA Launchpad underscores its significance in advancing [basketball-focused technology](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/spalding-x-siq). Image Credit: Betterguards ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.2/10 - Popularity: 25% | Activity: 22% | Freshness: 20% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Sports](https://www.trendhunter.com/sports) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Smart Mini-piston Technology:** The BetterGuard ankle brace incorporates smart mini-piston technology that responds faster than the human body to prevent injury-inducing movements. - **Advanced Freedom of Motion:** The BetterGuard ankle brace provides athletes with advanced freedom of motion while actively preventing injuries, revolutionizing ankle injury protection. - **Integration Into NBA Launchpad:** The BetterGuard ankle brace's inclusion in the NBA Launchpad program highlights its role in advancing basketball-focused technology and injury prevention. ### Where This Applies - **Sports Technology:** The innovative ankle brace developed by Betterguards represents a disruptive innovation opportunity for the sports technology industry. - **Athletic Training:** The BetterGuard ankle brace's adoption by NBA team athletic trainers creates a disruptive innovation opportunity within the athletic training industry. - **Sports Equipment:** The introduction of the BetterGuard ankle brace introduces a disruptive innovation opportunity for the sports equipment industry to enhance injury prevention in various sports. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Tech-Forward Innovative Recovery Boots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/innovative-Recovery-boot.md) - [Futuristic Smart Knee Braces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eknee3.md) - [Performance Tracking Mouth Guards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/orb-innovations.md) - [Biometric Smart Mouthguards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smart-mouthguards.md) - [Stride-Assisting Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/evolve-mvmt.md) - [Sport Performance Biometric Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kinexon-sports.md) - [Supportive Eco-Friendly Athlete Braces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/trainers-choice.md) - [Sustainable Sports Braces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sports-brace.md) - [Adjustable Fracture Braces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bracesys-kevlar.md)