Adidas Floband
AKQA Future Lions Entry 2025
Insight:
84% of young girls drop out of sport during puberty, often due to confusion, discomfort, and a lack of education or support around hormonal changes. While elite athletes are increasingly using menstrual cycle tracking to optimise performance, young girls are rarely given access to the same tools or knowledge. Puberty is too often framed as a problem rather than a natural process to be understood, leaving many girls feeling overwhelmed, isolated, and disconnected from their bodies at a critical time in their development.
Idea:
We imagined a future where this changes. By repurposing biosensor technology originally developed for menopause management, we designed a discreet solution: captain’s armbands that detect hormonal shifts through sweat during team sports. These wearable bands would track estrogen and progesterone fluctuations, helping girls anticipate changes in their cycle in a way that feels supportive, not intrusive. More than just a piece of tech, the armband becomes a quiet companion, offering insight, reassurance, and a sense of control at a time when many feel uncertain.
Impact:
This concept goes beyond tracking data, it redefines how we support girls in sport. By addressing the hormonal root of the dropout crisis, the armband promotes confidence, connection, and continued participation. It helps dismantle the stigma surrounding puberty and encourages open, informed conversations around the female body. Integrated directly into team culture and worn with pride, this low-profile solution is designed to empower, not alienate girls during a pivotal life stage. It’s not just about preventing dropouts. It’s about changing the game for good.
