Nanotechnologies at the service of sport: the Gymnastics Federation invests in the future of athletic health
Four-year partnership to introduce advanced medical technologies in sport
Italian artistic gymnastics faces a crucial challenge: protecting the psychophysical health of its athletes. While the global market for wearable medical devices is set to grow from $26.9 billion in 2026 to $143.5 billion in the coming years, Italy still lags significantly behind in the adoption of digital medicine solutions, with only 8% of the population having experimented with these technologies, compared to 40% in other countries.
The Italian Gymnastics Federation has decided to follow this process of technological renewal by signing a four-year agreement with Tao Technologies for the use of Taopatch® nanotechnological devices. The partnership, valid until 2029, gives the Veneto-based company the status of 'Jersey Sponsor of the GAF National Team' and 'Official Supplier' with exclusivity in the wearable medical device sector.
'I am proud that such a prestigious company has chosen to link its image to our Federation', said FGI President Andrea Facci. 'Our focus has been on the well-being and mental and physical health of all members, so we are excited about new technologies that can support their performance.'
The Taopatches® represent an innovation in the panorama of sports medicine. The size of a dime, these nanotechnological devices emit therapeutic light to treat symptoms and causes of physical problems. Dr. Fabio Fontana, inventor of the device, developed this technology to meet specific needs in the sports medical sector. The Taopatch® is the same one seen on Novak Djokovic's chest at Roland Garros 2023 and on Robert Downie Jr's wrists at the Golden Globes and Doomsday presentation. '
The device was patented in response to a series of fundamental needs', explains Fontana. 'We wanted patients to leave the doctor's office with less pain than when they entered, prescribing quick and decisive treatments to get rid of the problems for good.'
The choice of FGI is part of a context of growing attention to innovative medical technologies. The global nanotechnology market in medical devices reached $4.7 billion in 2024, with a projected growth of 9.2% annually, highlighting the growing interest in advanced technological solutions in the healthcare sector.
'Gymnastics, due to its characteristics, needed a solution capable of giving immediate answers to postural and post-traumatic criticalities, rapid post-training recovery and the reduction of inflammation, allowing better workouts', underlines Fontana. 'The goal was to improve the health of athletes in a natural way, without contraindications.'
The devices are distinguished by their non-invasive mode of action: they do not release chemicals and do not alter the physical structure of the body, instead emitting specific wavelengths of therapeutic light that allow continuous therapy. This feature makes them particularly suitable for sports use, where safety and the absence of side effects are priorities.
'Taopatch® is certainly an innovative device, which has received the approval of the Federal Medical Commission', confirms President Facci. 'The company will provide appropriate application consulting services through qualified healthcare personnel.'
The Fairies of the women's national team, Olympic vice-champions and reigning continental gold medalists, will be able to benefit from this technological innovation. The Taopatch® logo will appear on the blue jerseys of the GAF section, symbolizing the integration between Italian sporting tradition and technological innovation.
'The partnership represents an added value for the movement', concludes Fontana. 'Together with the FGI we will carry out ambitious projects over the four-year period, always focusing on the well-being of the athletes.'
The agreement marks an important precedent in the Italian sports landscape, where the adoption of advanced medical technologies could become a model for other federations. The growth of the wearable device market and the evolution of medical nanotechnology suggest that this collaboration could anticipate a broader transformation in the way we conceive of health and athletic performance.