Matthew Nurse

Matthew Nurse is a key figure in Nike's research and innovation efforts. Here are the main points about his role and background:

Current Position

Matthew Nurse currently serves as the Vice President of the Nike Explore Team Sport Research Lab (NSRL) at Nike.13 In this role, he leads a multi-disciplinary team of researchers, scientists, and innovators focused on biomechanics, human physiology, sensory perception, and data science.1

Background and Experience

• Nurse holds a PhD in biomechanics and medical science from the University of Calgary.1
• Prior to joining Nike, he worked in the Human Performance Lab at the University of Calgary, conducting research for sports equipment manufacturers.1
• He has been with Nike for over a decade, initially joining as a senior researcher.1
• Over the last ten years at Nike, he has worked as a senior researcher for the basketball, golf, and equipment categories.1

Contributions and Impact

• Nurse has been involved in numerous advanced product concepts that have led to more than a dozen footwear and apparel patents.1
• Under his leadership, the NSRL focuses on driving performance product innovation through scientific understanding of athletes and athletic performance.1
• He emphasizes the importance of studying both elite and everyday athletes, noting that 80% to 85% of the people who come through the lab are everyday athletes from different backgrounds with diverse body types.2

Vision and Approach

Nurse advocates for a scientific approach to product development, emphasizing the need to understand the "dose, behavior, and response" in athletic performance.2 He sees the NSRL as the epicenter of Nike's work with athletes of all abilities, backgrounds, skills, and sports.3

Matthew Nurse's role at Nike combines his academic background in biomechanics with applied research in sports performance, contributing significantly to Nike's innovation in athletic footwear and apparel.