Abstract
Reliable assessment of the performance of alpine skiers is essential. Previous studies have highlighted the potential of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) for evaluating this performance. Accordingly, the present perspective summarizes published research concerning methodological and practical aspects of the assessment of alpine skiing performance by GNSS. Methodologically, in connection with trajectory analysis, a resolution of 1–10 cm, which can be achieved with the most advanced GNSS systems, has proven to provide acceptable accuracy. The antenna should be positioned to follow the trajectory of the skier's center-of-mass (CoM) as closely as possible and estimation of this trajectory can be further improved by applying advanced modeling and/or other computerized approaches. From a practical point of view, effective assessment requires consideration of numerous parameters related to performance, including gate-to-gate times, trajectory, speed, and energy dissipation. For an analysis that is both more comprehensive and more easily accessible to coaches/athletes, video filming should be synchronized with the GNSS data. In summary, recent advances in GNSS technology already allow, at least to some extent, precise biomechanical analysis of performance over an entire alpine skiing race course in real-time. Such feedback has both facilitated and improved the work of coaches. Thus, athletes and coaches are becoming more and more aware of the advantages of analyzing alpine skiing performance by GNSS in combination with advanced computer software, paving the way for the digital revolution in both the applied research on and practice of this sport.
Highlights
In outdoor sports such as alpine skiing, valid and reliable assessment of performance in the field is essential, but, at the same time, quite challenging
Previous studies have highlighted the considerable potential of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) for evaluating alpine skiing performance based on monitoring of parameters such as time, speed and mechanical energy (Brodie et al, 2008b; Supej, 2010; Supej and Holmberg, 2011; Supej et al, 2013; Gilgien et al, 2014a, 2015a,b, 2016; Fasel et al, 2016; Kröll et al, 2016)
Alpine skiing performance can be characterized in terms of a variety of different biomechanical parameters, skiing from the start to the finish line as rapidly as possible is the obvious ultimate goal set by the International Ski Federation (FIS, 2016)
Summary
In outdoor sports such as alpine skiing, valid and reliable assessment of performance in the field is essential, but, at the same time, quite challenging. Previous studies have highlighted the considerable potential of Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) for evaluating alpine skiing performance based on monitoring of parameters such as time, speed and mechanical energy (Brodie et al, 2008b; Supej, 2010; Supej and Holmberg, 2011; Supej et al, 2013; Gilgien et al, 2014a, 2015a,b, 2016; Fasel et al, 2016; Kröll et al, 2016).
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