About Antibody, Inc. | President's Message

A Personal Message by Phillip Gilliam, President/CEO, Antibody, Inc.

Bodyguards were initiated with a single thought while having lunch in November of 1995.

"Create a compressive, flexible, protective, exoskeleton for the Human Body. An "outer skin" that would not simply be worn but would "join" with its wearer to become one."

My goal was to make a device that fits, feels and functions like skin and muscle. My device would be designed using circumferential measurements of the wearer and decreasing them by a predetermined compression ratio.

At that time I conceived that the exoskeleton would limit or eliminate the effects of everyday strains, pulls and some impact trauma consistent with soft tissue injuries. I envisioned the devices adding strength and flexibility to the wearer. They would also offer a quantum alternative to ace bandages and tape.

As if by fate, in December of 1995 I suffered a severe injury to my left shoulder. I tore my rotator cuff and damaged the top of the humerus bone where it attaches to the glenoid or shoulder socket. My injuries required major reconstructive surgery and a nine-month rehabilitation.

I continued work on my invention, now driven by my own unsatisfied need. Logic suggested that the injured area needed to be enveloped, supported, massaged with heat and protected from further damage during rehab. I found that nothing available could supply all these benefits without being bulky, restrictive, uncomfortable or just plain ineffective.

Using a state of the art neoprene polymer the first Bodyguards were created. This material blend has the effect of being light, soft and comfortable while effectively and comfortably supporting injured and strained muscles. Just as I envisioned, the Bodyguards join with the wearer and supports the entire muscle group thereby dissipating strain from injured areas.

While using my invention to rehab. from my shoulder injury I discovered benefits that even I had not imagined. So confident that these benefits were real and not imagined I formed Antibody, Inc. and invested in an ergonomic study of my invention by the Ball State University Human Performance Laboratory. The results were remarkable (see performance tests).

The Bodyguard™ Compression Shorts:

• Provides consistent even compression which creates muscle support and reduces muscle vibration which in turn reduces the likelihood of muscle strain and tear.
• Provides heat circulation which reduces warm-up time and raises muscle temperature to its optimum performance level of (38.5C) and then maintains it, again reducing the likelihood of tears and strains caused by muscle cooling during short breaks.
• Provides performance enhancement  (see performance tests)
• Scientifically shown to increase vertical jump height.
• Delays the onset of muscle fatigue by assisting with muscle flexion and extension and absorbing the fatigue inducing shock and vibration that your muscles normally absorb so that you can perform at a higher level longer than your competition.
• Assists in efficiency of movement so there's less wasted motion.

As we have continued to research and develop the device it has become lighter, softer while continuing to deliver the key components that separate it from al other devices on the market. From the professional to the weekend warrior who is simply tired of succumbing to nagging injuries, we offer the perfect biomechanical compliment to the human body. Antibody BodyGuard.

The Mission of Antibody Inc.

To deliver high quality, customized and standardized compressive sportswear that reduces injury, enhances physical performance and positively effects athletic longevity in the human body.

Antibody's search and research seeks to create the perfect biomechanical compliment to the human body. The significance of this work lies in the potential to enhance human physical performance and reduce the incidence and severity of musculoskeletal injury in a wide range of sports and physical activities involving millions of athletes and non-athletes alike.

Phillip L. Gilliam
President
Antibody, Inc.