TIMEX, KSI partner on research studies with athletes to improve performance and safety

To develop training products for athletes of all sports, TIMEX, a leader in outdoor and sports performance timepieces, is joining forces with the University of Connecticut's Korey Stringer Institute (KSI) on a number of research and educational studies about heart rate zone/GPS training and the importance of using proper training equipment, during and after training and competition. As part of these pioneering studies, professional and college endurance and team athletes will participate in a number of comprehensive programs over the next three years.

“This partnership will enable TIMEX to utilize first-hand research data related to a number of integral training elements including heart rate, pace, body/skin temperature and fitness level to improve training techniques and develop innovative new products for athletes of all levels”

The Korey Stringer Institute is named for the late NFL player Korey Stringer, who died of complications related to exertional heat stroke following a preseason football practice in 2001. The institute - part of UConn's Neag School of Education, home of the nation's top doctoral program in kinesiology - is led by Douglas J. Casa, Ph.D., a noted expert on exertional heat stroke and exercise in the heat. Kelci Stringer, Korey Stringer's wife, founded the institution with Casa and serves as its CEO.

"This partnership will enable TIMEX to utilize first-hand research data related to a number of integral training elements including heart rate, pace, body/skin temperature and fitness level to improve training techniques and develop innovative new products for athletes of all levels," said Heberto Calves, VP of Marketing, TIMEX. "We plan on integrating all of our assets into these studies to ensure we offer training solutions that will truly impact performance and safety during training and competitions." This ground-breaking study will feature members of the TIMEX Multisport Team, a diverse team of dynamic professionals and amateurs who embody the sacrifice, commitment and passion of the sport of triathlon, and take place throughout the week leading up to the Ford Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii.

Casa and his team will work closely with each of the 30 participating athletes, 15 of which are TIMEX Multisport Team, to create a firm foundation to help TIMEX educate athletes on how they can maximize their training with the use of TIMEX® products.

"What athletes and coaches need to know is that using the proper training equipment can enhance their results, while maximizing and managing their safety and recovery," said Douglas Casa, Ph.D., ATC, FACSM, FNATA. "These studies will enable our team and TIMEX to identify key facts about all levels of athletes during training and competition."

This is the second study TIMEX and KSI have collaborated on. The first one was completed in August 2011 with the UCONN men's soccer team.