adidas releases a new gadget for its miCoach product launched in June, Speed_Cell. The device is made to capture information from motion in every direction and measures key performance metrics including speed, distance and time during practice and competition.

Photo: miCoach Speed_Cell, from adidas.com

«Understanding individual performance data is one of the best ways to improve your game,» said Mark Verstegen, founder and president of Athletes’ Performance. «For the first time, amateur athletes can have access to the performance tracking and analysis technology available to professional athletes.»

The miCoach Speed_Cell monitors, evaluates and increases performance of athletes across multiple sports including soccer, football, basketball, tennis and running. Before start training, athletes place it in the outsole of adidas footwear to track their personal stats including average speed, maximum speed, number of sprints, distance at high intensity levels, steps and stride during play. The on-board memory stores seven hours of an athlete’s metrics and wirelessly transmits the data to their smartphone, tablet, PC or Mac.

For now, the adizero F50 is the first and only pair of soccer shoes available with a cavity in the outsole. adidas will introduce a full range of miCoach Speed_Cell compatible footwear for basketball, football and tennis later this year and throughout 2012.

Photo: adizero F50, from adidas.com

Following the launch of the device, adidas will roll out a series of apps beginning with miCoach Soccer and miCoach Running on December 1 and other sport specific apps for basketball, tennis and football in 2012. The apps will be designed for athletes to see their performance data on their computers, to share it on Facebook and compare their stats to star athletes including Lionel Messi of FC Barcelona.

miCoach Speed_Cell will be available on December 1 for $69.99 at adidas Sport Performance stores, soccer and running specialty stores and www.shopadidas.com.