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Finkenzeller T, Burberg T, Kranzinger S, Harbour E, Snyder C, Würth S, Amesberger G. Effects of physical stress in alpine skiing on psychological, physiological, and biomechanical parameters: An individual approach. Front Sports Act Living 2022; 4:971137. [PMID: 36299402 PMCID: PMC9589513 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2022.971137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Alpine skiing is an attractive winter sport that often includes mental and physical demands. Since skiing is often done for several hours, fatigue processes occur that might lead to action errors associated with a higher risk of accidents and injuries. The aim of this study was to investigate the timing of changes in subjective, physiological, and biomechanical parameters during a physically demanding, standardized, non-competitive alpine skiing session. A group of 22 experienced male skiers carried out 10 runs, each lasting between 150 and 180 s, at a turn rate of 80 turns per minute with their best skiing technique. Immediately after the run, skiers reported ratings of fatigue, and other affective states. During skiing, breathing pattern and biomechanical data of the ski turns as radial force, turn duration, edge angle symmetry, and a composed motion quality score were recorded. Analyses of variances on skiers showing signs of fatigue (n =16) revealed that only the subjective data changed significantly over time: fatigue and worry increased, vitality and calm decreased. Subsequently, individual change points analyses were computed to localize abrupt distribution or statistical changes in time series data. For some skiers, abrupt changes at certain runs in physiological and/or biomechanical parameters were observed in addition to subjective data. The results show general effects in subjective data, and individual fatigue-related patterns concerning the onset of changes in subjective, physiological, and biomechanical parameters. Individuality of response to fatigue should be considered when studying indicators of fatigue data. Based on the general effects in subjective data, it is concluded that focusing on self-regulation and self-awareness may play a key role, as subjective variables have been shown generally sensitive to the physical stress in alpine skiing. In the future, customized algorithms that indicate the onset of fatigue could be developed to improve alpine skiers' self-awareness and self-regulation, potentially leading to fewer action errors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Finkenzeller
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria,*Correspondence: Thomas Finkenzeller
| | - Tim Burberg
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | | | - Eric Harbour
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Cory Snyder
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria,Red Bull Athlete Performance Center, Thalgau, Austria
| | - Sabine Würth
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Günter Amesberger
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
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Proposal of an Alpine Skiing Kinematic Analysis with the Aid of Miniaturized Monitoring Sensors, a Pilot Study. SENSORS 2022; 22:s22114286. [PMID: 35684907 PMCID: PMC9185405 DOI: 10.3390/s22114286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The recent growth and spread of smart sensor technologies make these connected devices suitable for diagnostic and monitoring in different fields. In particular, these sensors are useful in diagnostics for control of diseases or during rehabilitation. They are also extensively used in the monitoring field, both by non-expert and expert users, to monitor health status and progress during a sports activity. For athletes, these devices could be used to control and enhance their performance. This development has led to the realization of miniaturized sensors that are wearable during different sporting activities without interfering with the movements of the athlete. The use of these sensors, during training or racing, opens new frontiers for the understanding of motions and causes of injuries. This pilot study introduced a motion analysis system to monitor Alpine ski activities during training sessions. Through five inertial measurement units (IMUs), placed on five points of the athletes, it is possible to compute the angle of each joint and evaluate the ski run. Comparing the IMU data, firstly, with a video and then proposing them to an expert coach, it is possible to observe from the data the same mistakes visible in the camera. The aim of this work is to find a tool to support ski coaches during training sessions. Since the evaluation of athletes is now mainly developed with the support of video, we evaluate the use of IMUs to support the evaluation of the coach with more precise data.
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Pérez-Chirinos Buxadé C, Padullés Riu JM, Gavaldà Castet D, Trabucchi M, Fernández-Valdés B, Tuyà Viñas S, Moras Feliu G. Influence of Turn Cycle Structure on Performance of Elite Alpine Skiers Assessed through an IMU in Different Slalom Course Settings. SENSORS 2022; 22:s22030902. [PMID: 35161648 PMCID: PMC8838443 DOI: 10.3390/s22030902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Small differences in turn cycle structure, invisible to the naked eye, could be decisive in improving descent performance. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of turn cycle structure on the performance of elite alpine skiers using an inertial measurement unit (IMU) in different slalom (SL) course settings. Four SL courses were set: a flat-turned (FT), a steep-turned (ST), a flat-straighter (FS) and a steep-straighter (SS). Five elite alpine skiers (21.2 ± 3.3 years, 180.2 ± 5.6 cm, 72.8 ± 6.6 kg) completed several runs at maximum speed for each SL course. A total of 77 runs were obtained. Fast total times correlate with a longer initiation (INI) time in FT, a shorter steering time out of the turn (STEOUT) in the FT and FS and a shorter total steering time (STEIN+OUT) in the FT and SS courses. The linear mixed model used for the analysis revealed that in the FT-course for each second increase in the INI time, the total time is reduced by 0.45 s, and for every one-second increase in the STEOUT and STEIN+OUT times, the total time increases by 0.48 s and 0.31 s, respectively. Thus, to enhance descent performance, the skier should lengthen the INI time and shorten the STEOUT and STEIN+OUT time. Future studies could use an IMU to detect turn phases and analyze them using the other built-in sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carla Pérez-Chirinos Buxadé
- National Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia (INEFC), University of Barcelona (UB), 08038 Barcelona, Spain; (C.P.-C.B.); (J.M.P.R.); (D.G.C.); (B.F.-V.); (S.T.V.)
| | - Josep Maria Padullés Riu
- National Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia (INEFC), University of Barcelona (UB), 08038 Barcelona, Spain; (C.P.-C.B.); (J.M.P.R.); (D.G.C.); (B.F.-V.); (S.T.V.)
| | - Dani Gavaldà Castet
- National Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia (INEFC), University of Barcelona (UB), 08038 Barcelona, Spain; (C.P.-C.B.); (J.M.P.R.); (D.G.C.); (B.F.-V.); (S.T.V.)
- Val d’Aran School of Sports Technicians (ETEVA), 25598 Lleida, Spain
| | - Michela Trabucchi
- Department of Condensed Matter Physics, University of Barcelona (UB), 08028 Barcelona, Spain;
| | - Bruno Fernández-Valdés
- National Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia (INEFC), University of Barcelona (UB), 08038 Barcelona, Spain; (C.P.-C.B.); (J.M.P.R.); (D.G.C.); (B.F.-V.); (S.T.V.)
- School of Health Sciences, TecnoCampus, Pompeu Fabra University, 08302 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sílvia Tuyà Viñas
- National Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia (INEFC), University of Barcelona (UB), 08038 Barcelona, Spain; (C.P.-C.B.); (J.M.P.R.); (D.G.C.); (B.F.-V.); (S.T.V.)
| | - Gerard Moras Feliu
- National Institute of Physical Education of Catalonia (INEFC), University of Barcelona (UB), 08038 Barcelona, Spain; (C.P.-C.B.); (J.M.P.R.); (D.G.C.); (B.F.-V.); (S.T.V.)
- Correspondence:
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Park C, Kim B, Kim Y, Eum Y, Song H, Yoon D, Moon J, Han J. Carved Turn Control with Gate Vision Recognition of a Humanoid Robot for Giant Slalom Skiing on Ski Slopes. SENSORS 2022; 22:s22030816. [PMID: 35161561 PMCID: PMC8838643 DOI: 10.3390/s22030816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The performance of humanoid robots is improving, owing in part to their participation in robot games such as the DARPA Robotics Challenge. Along with the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, a Skiing Robot Competition was held in which humanoid robots participated autonomously in a giant slalom alpine skiing competition. The robots were required to transit through many red or blue gates on the ski slope to reach the finish line. The course was relatively short at 100 m long and had an intermediate-level rating. A 1.23 m tall humanoid ski robot, ‘DIANA’, was developed for this skiing competition. As a humanoid robot that mimics humans, the goal was to descend the slope as fast as possible, so the robot was developed to perform a carved turn motion. The carved turn was difficult to balance compared to other turn methods. Therefore, ZMP control, which could secure the posture stability of the biped robot, was applied. Since skiing takes place outdoors, it was necessary to ensure recognition of the flags in various weather conditions. This was ensured using deep learning-based vision recognition. Thus, the performance of the humanoid robot DIANA was established using the carved turn in an experiment on an actual ski slope. The ultimate vision for humanoid robots is for them to naturally blend into human society and provide necessary services to people. Previously, there was no way for a full-sized humanoid robot to move on a snowy mountain. In this study, a humanoid robot that transcends this limitation was realized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheonyu Park
- Department of Convergence Robot System, Hanyang University, 55 Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan-si 15588, Gyeonggi-do, Korea; (C.P.); (B.K.); (Y.K.); (Y.E.)
| | - Baekseok Kim
- Department of Convergence Robot System, Hanyang University, 55 Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan-si 15588, Gyeonggi-do, Korea; (C.P.); (B.K.); (Y.K.); (Y.E.)
| | - Yitaek Kim
- Department of Convergence Robot System, Hanyang University, 55 Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan-si 15588, Gyeonggi-do, Korea; (C.P.); (B.K.); (Y.K.); (Y.E.)
| | - Younseal Eum
- Department of Convergence Robot System, Hanyang University, 55 Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan-si 15588, Gyeonggi-do, Korea; (C.P.); (B.K.); (Y.K.); (Y.E.)
| | - Hyunjong Song
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA;
| | - Dongkuk Yoon
- ERICA IUCF, Hanyang University, 55 Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan-si 15588, Gyeonggi-do, Korea;
| | - Jeongin Moon
- Sports Engineering Laboratory, Department of Physical Education, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro 38-gil, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08732, Korea;
| | - Jeakweon Han
- Department of Robotics, Hanyang University, 55 Hanyangdaehak-ro, Sangnok-gu, Ansan-si 15588, Gyeonggi-do, Korea
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +82-31-400-5292
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