1. Future Directions in Sport Biomechanics
D. Gordon E. Robertson, PhD
Biomechanics Laboratory,
School of Human Kinetics,
University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada

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Themes
Outlets for sport biomechanics research (societies, conferences, journals)
Funding sources
Research tools
Research questions/ideas (where may we go next)
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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
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13th Conference of the Canadian Society for Biomechanics

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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
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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)
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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
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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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13th Conference of the Canadian Society for Biomechanics

8. 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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11. 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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13. Computer Modelling and Simulation
Diving
Figure skating
Trampolining
Gymnastics
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14. Simulation of Grand Jeté
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15. 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
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16. 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”.
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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 metres
15% grade for 200 m
“pitcher’s 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 (what’s beyond the klapskate?)
Ski boots/bindings (microprocessor controlled)
Computer monitoring of race by shoe
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Summary
Many venues are available for Sport Biomechanics research
Without funding, research will be driven by industrial and business concerns
Engineering mechanics will be an important facet of sports biomechanics
Research tools are readily available for advanced analysis of sports techniques
Many questions are yet to be explored
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Your Ideas
Questions
Answers
Other directions
“It’s not about the bike.”
Lance Armstrong
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13th Conference of the Canadian Society for Biomechanics