Functional design employing miniaturized electronics with wireless signal provision to a smartphone for a strain-based measuring system for ski poles

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

The individual monitoring of cross-country skiers’ technique-related parameters is crucial to identifying possible athlete-individual deficits that need to be corrected in order to optimize the athlete’s performance in competition. To be able to record relevant biomechanical parameters during training in the field, the development of measuring systems exploiting the athlete’s full potential is the key. Known mobile monitoring systems for measuring forces on ski poles use comparably heavy uniaxial load cells mounted on the pole with a data logger also attached to the pole or carried by the athlete. Measurements that are more accurate can be acquired using wire-based systems. However, wire-based systems are highly immobile and only usable when the athletes undergo a stationary test, e.g., on a treadmill. This paper focuses on the functional design of a measuring system using specialized, miniaturized electronics for acquiring data from strain sensors. These data are then used to determine the technique-related parameters pole force and angle of bend. The functional design is also capable of transmitting the acquired data wirelessly via Bluetooth to a smartphone that runs a proprietary app. This approach is advantageous regarding mass, dynamic behavior, analyzing functionality, and signal processing compared to the state of the art.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Article number77
Number of pages17
JournalComputers
Volume10
Issue number6
Publication statusPublished - 11 Jun 2021
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 85108695880
ORCID /0000-0003-2834-8933/work/142238226
ORCID /0000-0003-1385-1528/work/142240111
WOS 000665374400001

Keywords

Keywords

  • Bluetooth Low Energy, competitive sports, cross-country skiing, winter sports, Android, miniaturization, pole force, skiing technique, strain gauge