Future Directions in
Sport Biomechanics
D. Gordon E. Robertson, Ph.D.
Biomechanics Laboratory,
School of Human Kinetics,
University of Ottawa, Ottawa, CANADA
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)
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
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
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)
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
Current Technologies
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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 …)
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)
…
Sports Engineering
• mechanical innovations:
 rowing (sliding seats, riggings)
 bicycles (disc wheels, suspensions)
 wheelchairs (4 to 3 wheels)
 footware
 clothing
 helmets
 klapskate
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
Ergometers/Simulators
• Treadmills
– ski
– instrumented with force platforms
• Ergometers
– bicycle
– rowing
– swim
• Instrumented exercise machines
– Cybex, KinCom, Biodex
– bicycle cranks
Virtual Reality
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Goalie training
Batting
Golfing
Skiing
Computer controlled equipment for accurate
reproduction of competition conditions.
• Do training methods accurately represent
competition dynamics? (Specificity principle)
Computer Modelling and
Simulation
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Diving
Figure skating
Trampolining
Gymnastics
Simulation of Grand Jeté
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)
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
“sweet spot” areas.
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.
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
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
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
Your Ideas
• Questions
• Answers
• Other directions
“It’s Not About the Bike.” Lance
Armstrong.