Athletes benefit from appliances of science

Today’s athletes have a touch of the “Bionic Man” to them, with GPS tracking their movement, devices to measure the force of impacts and wireless radio connections to get the data back to the coach.

It all comes down to biomechanics, says University of Limerick’s Dr Ian Kenny. It involves using modern technology to study movement in detail and help improve performance.

Dr Kenny is based in UL’s biomechanics research unit within the department of physical education and sports sciences. UL is holding a number of events linked to Science Week 2015, Ireland’s national science event organised by Science Foundation Ireland’s Discover programme.

“Biomechanics has two functions: one, to improve performance by changing technique; and, two, to reduce injury through poor technique,” he said.

He has studied this in detail with golf, where the golfer’s movements have to get the best out of the clubs used.

A range of technologies is used to analyse this, including high-speed cameras to study the “kinematics of movement”, he says. Electric sensors are also used to monitor muscle contractions and force measurements are calculated for the limbs involved.

Real-time feedback “We are moving

to do that in the field in a real-world setting using moveable practical technology. We are going from wired technology to wireless to give us real-time feedback.”

The university is investing in an “academy of excellence” for golf analysis, set to open in 2017. Interestingly, it is not only about hitting a ball further, it is also about protecting the intrinsic nature of the game, Dr Kenny says.

“Biomechanics looks at preserving the nature of the game, not just hitting harder and longer. This is happening in other sports like tennis in slowing down the ball.”

Two other sports-related events during Science Week 2015

James Soper: Bend it Like Beckham

Can you use the on stage football free-kick simulator and apply the science you've just learned to bend it like Beckham? GMIT Castlebar, Co Mayo, 11.30am, Sunday, November 15th.

Robot Soccer

Demonstrations (three sessions) for primary schools of Robo Éireann, the robot soccer team of the Autonomous Robotics Research group at Maynooth University. Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co Kildare, Friday, 6.30pm.