Scientific and Industrial Interplay for Optimization of Media Presentation in Sport

Abstract

Introduction: Due to modern computer development various presentation techniques have been made available in the last years. This refers to digital videos taken from real sport environment as well as to modelling, simulation and animation of movements. Although the scientific background for these techniques has been improved remarkably, there is a delay of penetration to media and even to training in top performance sport. Methods: During the last winter FIS-Championships and the Ski-World-Championships 2001 in St. Anton for the alpine racing events and for skijumping the following groups of techniques were used: At the level of models deterministic biomechanical models and non-conventional approaches by means of genetic algorithms (GA) for determination and simulation of performance, e.g. “optimal trajectory” were calculated. The necessary data for the individual skiers result from anthropometrical measurements, the slopes were roughly surveyed with satellite scanning data and additionally with high resolution GPS (LEICA) (see figure 1). These data were processed in 3D-Studio MAX and then used for visualization and animation of the runs (see figure 2). Finally digital videos were manipulated in terms of blending and superimposing two runners into one video (see figure 3).Figure 1: Model of slopeFigure 2: Visualization of slope and trajectoryFigure 3: Digital video superimposingResults: Deterministic modeling the trajectory with individual parameters of the athletes and the various conditions of the slopes faces the number, complexity and interdependence of “independent” variables. Genetic algorithms help to optimize the trajectory. Evolution studies of the algorithms fitting for run time and/or for distance show that saturation effects occur rather early, e.g. after approx. 50 steps (see table 1). A comparison between calculated and real trajectories and run times of world class athletes demonstrate realistic settings.Table 1: Evolution of GADiscussion: The scientific findings end developments raised remarkable interest not only in the various groups of athletes but also in mass media and supplying television companies. This adds new perspectives to research in sport science as these techniques can contribute to an improvement of media presentation as well as to an optimization of athletic training and performance. Especially non-conventional approaches such as GA seem to promise new in-sights into the complex structure of sport performance.