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be used in international competition. They felt that the suits were having more impact than the athletes and that fairness dictated that the swimmers return to older styles starting with the 2012 London Olympics. Athletes get hit. Physical sports such as football, lacrosse, and hockey provide players with pads and protection. Tech has helped make those materials lighter but still stron- ger. One of the most visible pieces of pro- tective gear is the football helmet. While the effects of blows to the head are clearly nega- tive, helmet designs are working to reduce that impact. Several companies invented sen- sors that can be put on or in helmets. These sensors measure the forces on the head and the helmet. The information can be read by a trainer or doctor on the sideline, who can quickly pull out a player. A California teenag- er invented a helmet that was said to be able to reduce concussions by 55 percent, though testing is still ongoing. The key for the suc- cess of these helmet technologies will be acceptance by players, who still resist most changes to the helmet. Bouncing Into the Future T he ball is the basic piece of gear for doz - ens of sports. Technology has not for- gotten about this most basic piece of equipment. Here are some examples.

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