News | Tuesday, 29th June 2021

University research helps get Harry Maguire match-fit for Euro 2020 knockouts

New technological device hailed as breakthrough in injury treatment

England star Harry Maguire has praised a new rehabilitative device, developed from research involving Manchester Metropolitan Professor of Physiotherapy James Selfe, for its role in getting him fit for Euro 2020.

The ProMOTION EV1, manufactured by Swellaway Limited, is a tech-enabled device that reduces swelling around injuries by providing cooling, heating and compression without the need for ice or gel packs. The functions have been combined into a battery-powered portable device, allowing athletes to receive treatment at home or on the move.

The device draws on research from Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) as part of a Knowledge Transfer Partnership - an initiative encouraging collaboration between businesses and universities - sponsored by Swellaway.

Operated by an attached control pad, the device offers high levels of precision, allowing the temperature on the surface of the skin to be controlled between 6°C and 40°C. It is fully digital, enabling athletes and physiotherapists to set precise programmable treatments and capture data within a smartphone app.

Professor Selfe, together with Professor Jim Richards from UCLan, has been heavily involved in the research and development phases of the device to ensure it is ready for use on elite athletes. They have conducted rigorous testing on different versions of the product across a range of sports, and have researched optimisation of the device to deliver the best treatment response.

For example, they have explored whether the device is most effective when applied at cool temperatures at low pressures for a long period of time, or if it is better to apply it at warmer temperatures at high pressures for a short period of time.

Professor Selfe, said: “As well as the precision in controlling temperature and compression during treatments, one of the other key benefits for the medical profession is the ability to download data which shows the exact usage of the device when the product is used off-site or at home by athletes. Doctors and physiotherapists will be able to determine which parameters have been used and how often the device is used against physical recovery.

“It also has potential to be used for injury prevention, as a tool to aid athletes’ warm-ups in preparation for sport. Given the versatility of its uses and compactness of its size, I believe the sports science community will see this as a breakthrough device.”

Maguire has been using the device since May, after sustaining an ankle injury that threw his participation in Euro 2020 into doubt. After missing the first group games, he recovered in time to play against the Czech Republic and is expected to start England’s first knockout game against Germany tonight.

Commenting on his recovery process, Maguire said:“ProMOTION EV1 improved the timescale of my recovery from injury, 100%. I’ve constantly used the technology on my ankle over the last month to help get me fit for the Euros.

“I have the England and Manchester United medics who are the best about and have obviously been integral to my recovery - but they can’t be with me 24/7. The ProMOTION EV1 device is really compact and so I’ve used it as portable therapy for myself. It provides cold, heat and compression functions which have been hugely beneficial in supporting my recovery.

It also has potential to be used for injury prevention, as a tool to aid athletes’ warm-ups in preparation for sport. Given the versatility of its uses and compactness of its size, I believe the sports science community will see this as a breakthrough device.

“You can take it wherever you want, it’s easy to carry and has been a game changer in getting me fit for the Euros.”

Maguire has gone on to invest in Swellaway, joining former England player and long-term investor Wayne Rooney. Rooney was also one of the first high-profile football players to give feedback on the device and be part of the development process.