SATSKI

Sensor-based tool for performance analysis in professional skiing

Aims

Development of a GPS-based tool to support trainers of ski teams in analyzing and optimizing runs of their athletes.

Brief Description

During the last few years, alpine ski racing has evolved into a high performance sport with extremely small time differences between the racers, where sometimes just one hundredth of a second decides over winning or losing.

Preliminary to a contest, it is extremely important to analyse the test runs of the athletes under consideration of the slope and the material, and finally to optimise it. A major analyse method therefore is the determination of the line of a ski racer, and also velocities and accelerations along the trajectory. At the moment, the Austrian Ski Federation just uses simple time measurements and videotapings to analyse the trajectory. Based on these methods only parts of the wanted parameters can be detected with just low accuracy. At present, adequate measurement instruments for determining those parameters with satisfying accuracy are missing. In the future, modern technologies based on satellite positioning and navigation can change this.

As final product, an analysis tool should be developed that gives the Austrian Ski Federation the possibility to increase the performance of its racers, but also to study the physical toughness of the human body, and take counteractive measures if necessary.