TISS Internal Fund: Advanced Biomechanics Infrastructure
The TISS internal fund has successfully transformed our laboratory into a world-class biomechanics facility, equipped with state-of-the-art motion capture and physiological measurement systems.
Cutting-Edge Technology Integration
Our laboratory now features a comprehensive suite of high-precision instruments designed for elite rowing analysis. The centerpiece of this infrastructure is the SIMI markerless and marker-based motion analysis system, which allows for detailed kinematic evaluation without the constraints of traditional markers, making it ideal for on-water and rowing tank environments.
Infrastructure Highlights
- SIMI Motion Capture: Dual capability for both markerless and high-speed marker tracking.
- Noraxon IMUs: Wireless inertial measurement units for real-time body orientation and joint angles.
- Novel Force Sensors: Specialized pressure mapping for handlebars and foot stretchers.
- Custom Sync System: A proprietary hardware and software bridge ensuring all data streams are perfectly aligned.
Impact on Athlete Training
This infrastructure isn't just about data collection; it's about performance transformation. By integrating force measurements directly from the rowing equipment with 3D kinematic data, we can now identify "power leaks" in a rower's stroke that were previously invisible to the naked eye.
Coaches can now receive quantitative feedback on stroke synchronization, effective force application angles, and longitudinal coordination patterns. This bridge between high-end lab research and practical training field implementation is what sets our facility apart in the global rowing community.
Future Outlook
With the TISS Internal Fund project successfully completed, the laboratory is now prepared to host international research collaborations and provide high-performance support for national-level rowers. Our next phase involves developing automated AI-driven feedback systems based on this high-resolution data stream.
π£ Current Project β TISS Internal Funding (Rowing Biomechanics)
Project Title
Validation and Reliability of Novel Force Measurement Systems in Adolescent/Elite/Adult Rowing
Background
Rowing performance depends on precise biomechanical monitoring. Traditional ergometer load cells provide direct pulling force data, but new wearable and sensor technologies (e.g., Novel loadsol in-shoe force sensors and hand grasping sensors) offer additional insights into foot-stretcher loading and hand-grip dynamics. Synchronizing these signals with rowing machine and on-water sculling measurements is crucial to ensure data validity and reliability.
Objectives
- β’Data Synchronization: Establish robust synchronization protocols across ergometer load cells, loadsol sensors, and hand-grip force sensors.
- β’Validity Testing: Compare sensor outputs against gold-standard load cell measurements during rowing machine trials.
- β’Reliability Assessment: Conduct repeated trials to evaluate intra- and inter-session consistency in both land-based and on-water sculling contexts.
- β’Applied Translation: Integrate validated force metrics into KPI dashboards for coaches, linking land-based ergometer data to on-water rowing performance.
Methods
Instrumentation:
- Concept2 ergometer with direct load cell pulling force measurement
- Novel loadsol (foot-stretcher force)
- Novel load hand sensors (grip force)
- IMU systems for motion synchronization
Testing Protocols:
- Baseline ergometer trials (lab setting)
- On-water sculling sessions with synchronized force and motion capture
- Reliability checks via repeated measures and ICC analysis
Expected Outcomes
- Validated multi-sensor force measurement system for rowing biomechanics
- Reliability indices for novel loadsol and hand-grip sensors in adolescent athletes
- Integrated data synchronization pipeline for land-to-water translation
- Practical tools for coaches to monitor technique, force application, and progression
β¨ Summary for Applicants
This internally funded project at TISS Sports Biomechanics Lab offers interns the chance to work directly on cutting-edge sensor validation in rowing biomechanics. Participants will gain experience in data synchronization, validity and reliability testing, and applied performance modeling, contributing to a project that bridges laboratory innovation with real on-water athlete development.
Interested in Collaborating?
Our lab is open to research partnerships and high-performance testing requests. Contact us to learn more about our capabilities.
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