he provision of biomechanical information to elite athletes and their coaches, once the preserve of just a few countries, has become commonplace over the last two decades. In the course of this proliferation, many different systems have been developed for the collection, reduction and analysis of biomechanical data describing, and sometimes explaining, the performances of athletes in a wide range of sports. Much less effort has been directed to the issue of what is done with the results of these exercises in data collection, reduction and analysis. What information should be conveyed to the coach and athlete and how it should be conveyed for best results is thus still largely unknown. This workshop is devoted to a consideration of these issues from the vantage points of scientists who work in biomechanics, physiology and motor control. P. Brüggemann This presentation will critically review some attempts at applying feedback of biomechanical parameters in elite sport. Three investigations will be used to illustrate more or less successful attempts at applying feedback. Luge. In the luge, the start is subdivided into the phase of the pull-off from the starting handles and the so-called paddling phase. The paddling movements (i.e. the push-offs from the ice) are critical to the propulsive performance. The horizontal braking and propelling forces measured with the help of four platforms embedded in the ice were used to optimize the paddling movements and to individually elaborate limiting velocities for efficient paddlers. Pole Vault. On the basis of kinematic and kinetic measurements of elite athletes (and by comparison using relevant computer animation) attempts are made to identify deviations from the optimum (i.e. from best performances) for individual athletes and to visualize them via corresponding technology. In this case, computer-assisted animation is employed to spot differences for the individual athlete and trainer and to develop strategies for the learning process. Gymnastics. In artistic gymnastics, partial parameters (e.g. height of flight, length of flight, etc.) and instantaneous maximum force amplitudes (e.g. maximum bending force of the highbar) can contribute little to the feedback of the final result, to the optimization of the movement and to an efficient learning of optimal techniques. With the application of a qualitative movement analyses (and interpretation by an informed and skilled biomechanist), one can convey to athlete and coach the causes and corresponding effect coherences in complex movement sequences. One can also evaluate differences between diverse solution strategies in the process (e.g. by comparative overlay techniques). M. Ae In recent years, we have conducted biomechanical research projects during official competitions in athletics, swimming, speed skating, and ski jumping in Japan. Although some of these projects (e.g. temporal analyses of races) really contributed to improvement in the performance of elite athletes, the most effective method for providing feedback of biomechanical data to athletes, especially the results of technical analyses, is still unclear. I will discuss (a) the status of biomechanics research projects for elite athletes, (b) the application of biomechanics data to coaching in Japan. In the course of this discussion, consideration will be given to learning effective application of data from successful cases, how to use biomechanical data in coaching practice and the prerequisites for excellent athletes and coaches. Examples will be drawn from athletics and speed skating. Finally, the concept of an optimization loop of sports techniques using biomechanics data will be shown and the importance of developing scholarly coaches and coach-scientists (i.e. scientists like coaches), will be emphasized. R. M. Smith. We provide concurrent visual feedback on the dynamics of performance in an attempt to improve motor skills in learners at the novice, intermediate and elite levels of skill performance. This presentation will examine the effectiveness of this method for each learning level and explore the dynamic systems and motor program theories of motor learning as frameworks for predicting and/or explaining the results. Most of the discussion will be in the context of ergometer and on-water rowing performance. An illustration of the practical application of dynamics information feedback for rowers will be presented. B. Abernethy This presentation will examine the design, implementation and evaluation of biomechanical feedback from a motor control and learning perspective. Two general sets of issues will be discussed -- those related to the selection of the variables upon which to provide feedback and those related to the implementation of the feedback regimes. In the first case consideration will be given to issues related to the discrimination of essential control variables from non-essential ones and the determination of whether key variables are under conscious or automatic control (and hence amenable to improvement through explicit learning). In the second case consideration will be given to issues related to the determination of the optimal values for the variables upon which feedback is to be provided and the assessment of the extent to which feedback provision matches the perceptual aspects of the natural skill and is within the discriminability of the control system. A strong case will be made for the importance of greater integration of research efforts of biomechanics and motor control in order to improve effectiveness of biomechanical feedback provision for skill enhancement in athletes.
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