Future Directions in Sport Biomechanics

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Future Directions inSport Biomechanics

• D. Gordon E. Robertson, Ph.D.
• Biomechanics Laboratory,
• School of Human Kinetics,
• University of Ottawa, Ottawa, CANADA

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Themes

1. Outlets for sport biomechanics research
   (societies, conferences, journals)
2. Funding
3. Research tools
4. Research questions/ideas (where may we be going
   next)

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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

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Journals Contd

• 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

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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 Biomccanique
• many others (ASME, ACSM, DGfB, ESMAC, ISPGR)

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Funding for Research

• through national agencies (NSERC, CHR, CFI)
• industry (equipment manufacturers)
• sport governing bodies
• Olympic/games funds
• provincial sports agencies
• student/faculty interests
• other countries

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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 )

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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)

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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

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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

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Ergometers/Simulators

• Treadmills
• ski
• instrumented with force platforms
• Ergometers
• bicycle
• rowing
• swim
• Instrumented exercise machines
• Cybex, KinCom, Biodex
• bicycle cranks

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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)

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Computer Modelling and Simulation

• Diving
• Figure skating
• Trampolining
• Gymnastics

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Simulation of Grand Jeté
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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)

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Vibration-controlled Racquets

• Racquets can control vibration through a
  careful integration of hard and soft
  materialsgraphite, a ceramic alloy and an
  innovative new elastic developed by Yonexwhose
  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 sweet
  spot areas.

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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.

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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
• pitchers mounds at high, long and triple jumps
• allow ballista in long and high jumps

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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 (whats beyond the klapskate?)
• Ski boots/bindings (microprocessor controlled)
• Computer monitoring of race by shoe

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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

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Your Ideas

• Questions
• Answers
• Other directions
• Its Not About the Bike. Lance Armstrong.