In this episode, XSENSOR’s Chief Operating Officer, Bruce Malkinson, continues his conversation with performance scientist and sports technologist Antonio Robustelli to explore how data-driven insights are reshaping the footwear design process. They discuss how elite brands and research teams are leveraging plantar pressure data to bridge the gap between laboratory precision and on-field performance. From prototype testing to athlete feedback integration, this episode highlights how technology enables designers to make evidence-based decisions that improve comfort, performance, and injury prevention.

Key Takeaways from Listening to This Podcast:

1. Learn how integrating objective data—like pressure distribution and timing—into the design process accelerates innovation and shortens development cycles.
2. Understand how real-world testing and athlete feedback combine with pressure data to validate comfort and performance across diverse sports environments.
3. Explore how data visualization and analytics are transforming the conversation between engineers, designers, and sports scientists—resulting in more personalized and high-performing footwear solutions.

Speakers:

Bruce Malkinson, Chief Operating Officer
XSENSOR Technology Corporation

Antonio Robustelli, Sports Performance Scientist & Technologist
OmniAthlete Performance Science

In this episode, XSENSOR's Chief Operating Officer, Bruce Malkinson, sits down with Antonio Robustelli to explore how plantar pressure mapping is revolutionizing sports footwear design. From sensor resolution to real-world testing, they discuss what it takes to validate performance from the ground up.

Key Takeaways from Listening to This Podcast:

1. Understand the science behind plantar pressure mapping and why it's essential for capturing accurate, real-time data during athletic movement.
2. Learn how sensor design—like spatial resolution and sampling rate—impacts the reliability of footwear performance insights.
3. Discover how biomechanical variables like surface type, speed, and sport-specific demands influence testing protocols and data interpretation.

Speakers:

Bruce Malkinson, Chief Operating Officer
XSENSOR Technology Corporation

Antonio Robustelli, Sports Performance Scientist & Technologist
OmniAthlete Performance Science

Antonio Robustelli joins Bruce Malkinson to explore the powerful integration of plantar pressure mapping and motion capture, showcasing how this combination transforms athlete movement assessment, performance optimization, and injury prevention strategies.

Key Takeaways from Listening to This Podcast:

1. Learn – Why synchronizing plantar pressure mapping and 3D motion capture data can dramatically improve the quality of athlete movement and biomechanical assessments.
2. Understand – How this combination empowers sports performance practitioners to obtain detailed insights into athletic performance.
3. Experience – Practical applications of plantar pressure mapping insoles and 3D motion capture systems, including integrating, measuring, and analyzing kinetic and kinematic data.

Speakers:
Bruce Malkinson, Chief Operating Officer
XSENSOR Technology Corporation

Antonio Robustelli, Sports Performance Scientist & Technologist
OmniAthlete Performance Science

Antonio Robustelli joins Bruce Malkinson to discuss the synergy between plantar pressure mapping and motion capture to elevate athlete assessment and performance profiling.

Key Takeaways from Listening to This Podcast:

1. Learn – Why integrating kinetic data from plantar pressure mapping insoles with kinematic data from 3D motion capture systems can create a more holistic and actionable biomechanical profile.
2. Understand – How this integration empowers sports biomechanists, coaches, and practitioners to better understand athlete movement and mechanics.
3. Experience – Practical applications of plantar pressure insoles and 3D motion capture systems, including integrating, measuring, and analyzing data for enhanced biomechanical insights.

Speakers:
Bruce Malkinson, Chief Operating Officer
XSENSOR Technology Corporation

Antonio Robustelli, Sports Performance Scientist & Technologist
OmniAthlete Performance Science

Dr. Ricky Pickett joins Bruce Malkinson to discuss the value of using in-shoe plantar pressure mapping insoles as a powerful tool for performance coaches and physiotherapists to analyze and treat golf swing mechanics.

Key Takeaways from Listening to This Podcast:

1. Learn – The mechanics of the golf swing, from the initial musculoskeletal screen to the full swing analysis, including a review of an effective treatment plan.
2. Understand – The role of plantar pressure mapping insoles in various sports and athletics, focusing on weight distribution and power generation, and how these concepts apply to analyzing and improving the golf swing.
3. Experience – A video demonstration of how plantar pressure mapping is utilized in golf swing analysis, highlighting expected weight shifts, power distribution, and the benefits of using this technology as an analysis tool and biofeedback mechanism.easure, analyze, and interpret pressure and muscle activity data.

Speakers:
Bruce Malkinson, Chief Operating Officer
XSENSOR Technology Corporation

Ricky Pickett, Doctor of Physical Therapy
Precision Motion Physical Therapy

Antonio Robustelli joins Bruce Malkinson to discuss practical applications where combining plantar pressure mapping insoles with surface electromyography (sEMG) offers unmatched analytical insights.

Key Takeaways from Listening to This Podcast:

1. Learn – How to apply evidence-based practices to customize measurement protocols using plantar pressure mapping and sEMG for targeted applications.
2. Understand – The role of plantar pressure mapping and sEMG in enhancing data quality and providing practitioners with more reliable insights.
3. Experience – Hands-on use of plantar pressure mapping and sEMG hardware and software to measure, analyze, and interpret pressure and muscle activity data.

Speakers:
Bruce Malkinson, Chief Operating Officer
XSENSOR Technology Corporation

Antonio Robustelli, Sports Performance Scientist & Technologist
OmniAthlete Performance Science

Antonio Robustelli joins Bruce Malkinson to discuss using plantar pressure mapping, like XSENSOR's Intelligent Insoles, and complementing it with Surface Electromyography (sEMG) to enhance athlete assessment and profiling.

Key Takeaways from Listening to This Podcast:

1. Learn – The rationale for pairing plantar pressure mapping and sEMG and how this can improve the evaluation of movement mechanics and injury risk assessment.
2. Understand – The role of plantar pressure mapping, when used in tandem with sEMG, in augmenting the neuromuscular profile, providing invaluable human performance data.
3. Experience – Practically using plantar pressure mapping and sEMG hardware and software to measure and analyze pressure and muscle activity data.

Speakers:
Bruce Malkinson, Chief Operating Officer
XSENSOR Technology Corporation

Antonio Robustelli, Sports Performance Scientist & Technologist
OmniAthlete Performance Science

Antonio Robustelli joins Bruce Malkinson to discuss using plantar pressure mapping, like XSENSOR's Intelligent Insoles, to assess and profile rugby, ice hockey, and American football players.

Key Takeaways from Listening to This Podcast:

1. Learn – Gain insights into the characteristics of rugby, ice hockey, and American football and the diverse abilities and actions crucial for achieving optimal performance and skills in these sports.
2. Understand – Explore the role of plantar pressure mapping in evaluating and monitoring players in these sports during the preseason and regular season.
3. Experience – Acquire practical knowledge using XSENSOR's Intelligent Insoles to capture, measure, and analyze plantar pressure data for rugby, ice hockey, and American football players.

Speakers:
Bruce Malkinson, Chief Operating Officer
XSENSOR Technology Corporation

Antonio Robustelli, Sports Performance Scientist & Technologist
OmniAthlete Performance Science