At the Sports University in Magglingen, cross-country skiers take to the treadmill where their performance is continually measured precisely. | Photo: Gian Paul Lozza

This cross-country skier makes intense demands of her body. If she were ever to fall over through exhaustion, the cord attached to her back would stop the treadmill straightaway. | Photo: Gian Paul Lozza

This cross-country skier has blood taken from his earlobe at five-minute intervals in order to have a lactate test. This is done at least seven times and continues until he is exhausted. | Photo: Gian Paul Lozza

In the Swiss Paraplegic Centre in Nottwil, a device is being tested that trains the upper body by means of ‘eccentric’ muscle work that subjects the muscles to resistance. It will be used for both paraplegic patients and athletes. | Photo: Gian Paul Lozza

In the tennis simulator at the Institute of Sport Science at the University of Bern, the position of the head and the direction of the gaze are calculated precisely. | Photo: Gian Paul Lozza

By assessing the direction of a player’s gaze and the position of their virtual tennis racket, researchers can determine where the player thought the ball was. | Photo: Gian Paul Lozza

Leg sensors enable researchers at the EPFL Laboratory of Movement Analysis and Measurement to determine the strain placed on the knee joint. | Photo: Gian Paul Lozza