Enhancing Performance in Speed Skating: Technology and Biomechanics

The Quest for Speed

Short-track speed skating—a sport that pushes the limits of velocity and agility on ice—hinges on lightning-fast reflexes, impeccable balance and peak physical condition. Athletes can reach speeds of up to 55 km/h, requiring accurate data collection in real race conditions to understand and enhance performance. Traditional methods like instrumented skates or motion capture have provided some insights but have limitations in capturing the full complexity of skating movements. Enter wearable technology—Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs) specifically—offering a breakthrough in sports biomechanics.

The Power of Wearable Technology

IMUs have changed the way we study sports performance by enabling real-time data collection without impeding the athlete's natural movements. These devices, already used in sports like swimming, football and figure skating, provide detailed kinematic data essential for performance analysis and improvement. Recent research from the École de technologie supérieure, INS Québec and Speed Skating Canada delves especially into performance factors in short-track speed skating.

Unveiling Key Performance Factors

Recording speed trials for the Canadian short-track athletes with IMUs allowed the research team to analyze on-ice movements and pinpoint seven critical biomechanical characteristics (also called factors) significantly associated with lap times. These factors, if optimized, could lead to substantial performance improvements.

For example, adjusting the space between the feet or pelvic height at the end of the skating motion by just 10 centimeters can shave off up to 0.5 seconds per lap. For elite athletes, gaining 0.5 seconds per lap represents a tremendous benefit and a huge asset over their competitors. These specific measurements provide coaches and athletes with clear, actionable insights to enhance their training and techniques, ultimately leading to better performance on the ice.

A Parallel Study on Ankle Flexibility

Another aspect of speed skating performance being scrutinized simultaneously is ankle flexibility. Ankle dorsiflexion, the ability to bend the foot upwards towards the shin, plays an important role in a skater's stride efficiency and power. A study conducted on the intraday variation of ankle dorsiflexion among professional short-track speed skaters led to the hypothesis that maximum dorsiflexion angles increase throughout the day, particularly after warm-up sessions.

The study involved 30 skaters from the Canadian short track team who underwent repeated ankle flexibility tests throughout their training days. Results showed significant increases in ankle dorsiflexion after the initial warm-up for the day, confirming the hypothesis (Figure 1). Interestingly, the study found no significant differences in ankle flexibility between sexes or team levels, suggesting that targeted flexibility training could benefit all athletes uniformly.

Implications Beyond the Short Track Rink

Integrating both these studies provides a comprehensive approach to optimizing performance. While this study focused on elite speed skaters, its implications extend to other sports requiring rapid changes in movement dynamics. By identifying and quantifying key performance factors, researchers have provided athletes with actionable insights directly applicable to their training. Understanding the dynamics of ankle flexibility throughout a training day could also benefit athletes across disciplines, shaping more effective training regimens and injury prevention strategies.

Bridging Research to Everyday Performance

We could compare optimizing an athlete's performance to adjusting the sails on a boat— a must for effectively catching the wind and navigating. This metaphor shows the importance of the work conducted at the National Institute of Sports. At INS Québec, a diverse range of cutting-edge research is conducted to support and enhance athletic performance across various disciplines. Researchers focus on biomechanics, physiology, psychology, nutrition, and sports technology to develop innovative training techniques, to improve performance and even to allow injury prevention strategies. Those studies often explore the intricacies of human movement, using state-of-the-art equipment and methodologies to gather precise data. The goal is to translate the scientific findings into practical applications that can benefit Canadian elite athletes.

The insights gained from these advanced studies also have practical applications for everyday activities. By understanding and optimizing movements, anyone can benefit, from amateur athletes to those recovering from injuries.

Additional Information

For more information on this research, please read the following paper: Claudel, J.; Turner, E.; Clément, J. 2024. Intraday Variation of Ankle Dorsiflexion in Short-Track Speed Skaters. Human Kinetics Journals. Volume 19. Issue 8. p. 833-835.