Mesure de la flexion dorsale de la cheville et identification de nouveaux facteurs de performance chez les patineurs de vitesse courte piste

Abstract

In short-track speed skating, victory can be determined by mere milliseconds. To enhance performance and secure victory, athletes must continuously refine their technique, which encompasses both biomechanical and kinematic characteristics. The crouched posture characteristic of speed skaters is closely linked to their performance, allowing them to minimize air resistance and optimize propulsion angles. However, traditional measurement tools are impractical for assessing joint angles during high-speed skating, highlighting the need for wearable technology that doesn't impede athletes' movements. Inertial measurement units (IMUs) offer a viable solution, allowing for precise motion analysis in various sporting contexts. Our study therefore aims to identify and quantify the importance of key performance factors using IMUs, hypothesizing that ankle dorsiflexion significantly impacts performance. Additionally, we explore other biomechanical aspects such as inter-foot spacing and pelvic height. The project was divided into two phases. Initially, we sought to understand how ankle dorsiflexion evolves over a day of training and identify the factors influencing this angle, including athlete sex, team affiliation, and time of measurement. Subsequently, the second phase aimed to pinpoint the primary performance factors and quantify their respective impacts on athlete performance using wearable IMUs. Results from the first phase revealed a significant increase in ankle dorsiflexion range of motion after the first warm-up of the day, although overall, it remains relatively stable throughout. Interestingly, team level and athlete sex were not found to significantly influence ankle dorsiflexion. Moving to the second phase, the project successfully identified seven actionable variables that have the potential to enhance speed skating performances. This thesis underscores the feasibility of pinpointing performance factors using wearable IMUs and highlights that working on those specific factors can lead to significant improvements in lap times.

Date	28 Jun 2024
Original language	French
Awarding Institution	École de technologie supérieure
Supervisor	Julien Clément (Supervisor)