Future Directions in Sport Biomechanics

Future Directions in Sport Biomechanics D. Gordon E. Robertson, PhD

Biomechanics Laboratory, School of Human Kinetics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada

Themes 1. Outlets for sport biomechanics research (societies, conferences, journals) 2. Funding sources 3. Research tools 4. Research questions/ideas (where may we go next) August 2004

13th Conference of the Canadian Society for Biomechanics

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Journals • Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport (1931) • Journal of Biomechanics (1968) • Human Movement Science (1984) • Journal of Applied Biomechanics (1985, as Int. Journal of Sport Biomechanics) • Journal of Electromyography & Kinesiology (1991) • Sport Biomechanics (2001) • and many others including August 2004


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Journals Cont’d Almost every combination of sport, science and medicine: • Journal of Science and Medicine in Sports • Journal of Sport Science and Medicine • Journal of Sport Science • Science and Sport (French) • British Journal of Sports Medicine • Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports • Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise • Journal of Science and Medicine in Sports and Exercise • Still to come: • Journal of Sports Medicine and Science • Journal of Sports Science and Medicine • Journal of Medicine in Sport Science August 2004


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Societies • Canadian Society for Biomechanics • American/Australian-New Zealand/European/… Society of Biomechanics • Clinical Gait and Movement Analysis Society • International Society of Biomechanics • International Society of Biomechanics in Sports • Société Biomécanique • many others … (ASME, ACSM, DGfB, ESMAC, ISPGR)

August 2004


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Funding for Research • through national agencies (NSERC, CHR, CFI) • industry (equipment manufacturers) • sport governing bodies, Sports Canada • Olympic/games funds • provincial sports agencies • student/faculty interests • other countries August 2004


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Current Technologies • • • • • •

semi-/automated 2D or 3D digitizing systems VHS/IRED/Digital/CCD camera systems telemetered force and/or EMG signals GPS monitoring of motion (soccer players by Hennig) accelerometric/gyroscopic monitoring of motion microprocessor monitoring/recording of EMG, ECG, forces etc. • instrumented athletic implements (bicycle cranks, paddles, oars, racquets …) • force platforms for measuring ground reaction forces (diving platforms, starting blocks, lifting platforms, …) August 2004


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Technique Changes and Sport Biomechanics • revolutionary technique changes  back-layout high jump  spin shot put  V-style ski jump  skate skiing  grab-start (swimming)  pole vaulting (fibreglass poles) … August 2004


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Sports Engineering • mechanical innovations:  rowing (sliding seats, riggings)  bicycles (disc wheels, suspensions)  wheelchairs (4 to 3 wheels)  footware  clothing  helmets  klapskate August 2004


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Implements • Racquet sports – stringing – materials – racquet shape • Batting sports – materials (aluminum vs. wood) – composites (corking) – inertial properties • Paddling sports – material properties – shape/structure – fluid dynamics August 2004


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Ergometers/Simulators • Treadmills – ski – instrumented with force platforms

• Ergometers – bicycle – rowing – swim

• Instrumented exercise machines – Cybex, KinCom, Biodex – bicycle cranks August 2004


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Virtual Reality • • • • •

Goalie training Batting Golfing Skiing Computer controlled equipment for accurate reproduction of competition conditions. • Do training methods accurately represent competition dynamics? (specificity principle)

August 2004


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Computer Modelling and Simulation • • • •

August 2004

Diving Figure skating Trampolining Gymnastics


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Simulation of Grand Jeté

August 2004


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New Implements will need Rule Changes • “corked-bats” (baseball, softball) • fluid filled discus (less rotational inertia, more stability in flight?) • atlatl used with javelin (will need bigger stadia or protective vests for spectators) – actually javelins were redesigned to fall shorter distance for safety

August 2004


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Vibration-controlled Racquets • Racquets can “control” vibration through a careful integration of hard and soft materials–graphite, a ceramic alloy and an innovative new elastic developed by Yonex–whose combined performance accurately controls vibration to 150 to 170 Hz for the best possible combination of powerful solid feel for playability and minimum shock and vibration for playing comfort. • Stringing and construction can increase size of “sweet spots”. August 2004


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Clothing • Aerodynamics The seaming in the suit was pushed to the front of the uniform to create the most aerodynamic garment possible. The Nike innovation team estimates that the hood helps eliminate drag by 3 per cent. This is the equivalent to eight feet in a 2000 metre race. • Moisture-wicking technology helps sustain body temperature by drawing sweat away from the skin and moving it to the outside of the fabric where it evaporates. • Cooling vests may be worn immediately before competition starts to combat high temperatures. August 2004


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Surfaces • Modern track surfaces use a mix of plastic rubbers combined with other plastic binders or with solid polyurethane, which is then glued to the ground like carpeting. • tunable surfaces (stiff for sprinting, softer for distances) • variable banking of tracks (athletics and cycling) – flat for 10 000 metres – 15% grade for 200 m • “pitcher’s mounds” at high, long, and triple jumps • allow “ballista” in long and high jumps August 2004


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Footwear • Injury prevention • Traction (temporarily glue shoe or sole of shoe or “spikes” to foot) • Energy storage/release shoes (springs) • Reducing energy absorption • Skates (what’s beyond the klapskate?) • Ski boots/bindings (microprocessor controlled) • Computer monitoring of race by shoe August 2004


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Summary 1. Many venues are available for Sport Biomechanics research 2. Without funding, research will be driven by industrial and business concerns 3. Engineering mechanics will be an important facet of sports biomechanics 4. Research tools are readily available for advanced analysis of sports techniques 5. Many questions are yet to be explored August 2004


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Your Ideas • Questions • Answers • Other directions

“It’s not about the bike.” Lance Armstrong

August 2004


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