Atlas maps how athlete biology changes from rest, through stress, and into recovery — creating a scientific resource to advance our understanding of brain health, recovery, and human performance.
A standardized collection under controlled resting conditions establishes a biological starting point.
A second collection captures how biology changes following a defined physiological challenge.
A third standardized collection captures the recovery phase.
Every athlete follows the same core protocol so that biological changes can be studied across athletes, sports, and time.
Competitive athletes repeatedly move through intense cycles of training, stress, competition and recovery. Yet much of the biological reference data used in research comes from general populations.
Atlas exists to build a deeper biological reference specifically around athletes.
Participating athletes become part of a growing research cohort. Each contribution combines rigorously collected biological specimens with essential scientific context.
Standardized biological samples preserved for current and future research.
Sport, age, sex, body size, competitive level, training background and other essential characteristics.
Baseline, acute exercise stress and recovery.
Precisely documented collection and processing information that makes samples scientifically meaningful.
One athlete creates a biological trajectory. Thousands of athletes create a reference.
Scientific technologies continue to evolve. Properly collected and preserved biological samples may allow researchers to study proteins, metabolites, RNA and biological signals that are known today — as well as signals that may only become measurable in the future.
The samples we collect today can help answer questions that have not yet been asked.
Understanding the biological signals associated with the athlete brain and the demands of sport.
Studying how athletes biologically respond to stress and return toward their individual baseline.
Exploring the molecular biology associated with training and human performance.
Atlas is being created to support future research and discovery across athlete biology.
A standardized biological resource for studying athlete physiology across defined states and time.
An infrastructure for researchers and organizations interested in exploring questions in athlete biology.
A growing biological reference designed to become more valuable as the cohort, samples and analytical technologies evolve.
The hardest part of building meaningful athlete science isn't technology. It's access to athletes willing to participate. Atlas is being built with an athlete community that believes understanding athlete biology can improve the future of sport.
YOUR BIOLOGY CAN HELP BUILD THE REFERENCE.
Complete an initial eligibility form.
If selected, receive the Atlas collection protocol.
Complete three standardized collections.
Samples are coded and handled according to the research protocol.
Qualified participants may be invited to future studies.
Submitting the form below is an expression of interest — it does not guarantee participation.
Participation should occur only under appropriate research protocols, informed consent, privacy safeguards and ethics oversight. Athlete identity should be separated from coded research specimens and research datasets wherever appropriate. Athletes should understand how their samples and data may be used before participating.
Atlas is a research initiative of Headstrong Labs. Headstrong was founded by a sports scientist and professional athletes around a simple belief: the brain deserves the same attention athletes give the rest of their bodies. Atlas extends that mission into research by creating the biological infrastructure needed to better understand athletes.
Atlas is bringing together athletes, researchers and organizations interested in advancing our understanding of athlete biology. Tell us how you'd like to be involved.
Building the world's biological reference for the athlete.
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