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Accurate Sled Velocity on a Short-Inclined Track Using Accelerometer Data

Authors:
Mark Gaffney
Michael Walsh
Brendan O’Flynn
Cian Ó Mathúna

Keywords: WIMU, Accelerometer, Bob-Skeleton, Sled, Error Correction, Performance Monitoring.

Abstract:
Wireless Inertial Measurement Units (WIMUs) are increasingly used to gather data and improve understanding of various human performance and complex motion scenarios. The Bob-Skeleton Push-Start features a stooped sprint from a crouch while pushing a heavy sled. Maximizing velocity during this brief period is considered crucial to performance, however it is poorly understood. An adjustable sled Push-Start training tool was instrumented with custom WIMUs, and a test subject performed 36 runs, with 12 combinations of 3 Incline and 4 Weight settings. A developed algorithm automatically identified, extracted, and integrated Pushing-Phase Acceleration data to Velocity and Displacement at hundreds of samples per second. Drift correction methods improved accuracy; while additional checks rejected problematic datafiles. WIMU derived Average Velocities were within -0.005±0.074 meters per second (0.319±4.214%) of an existing Light-Gate system. Such an accurate, automatic, WIMU-based system could supplement or replace Light-Gate or other performance monitoring methods, while being more portable and readily usable by coaches or athletes. This would enable consistent, low-cost and high-fidelity, performance monitoring from the gym to the ice-track for improved candidate selection, comparison and training in Bob-Skeleton and other ice-track sled sports.

Pages: 169 to 174

Copyright: Copyright (c) IARIA, 2014

Publication date: November 16, 2014

Published in: conference

ISSN: 2308-4405

ISBN: 978-1-61208-374-2

Location: Lisbon, Portugal

Dates: from November 16, 2014 to November 20, 2014