The Sports Technology specialist group at SFISM focuses specifically on the research and further development of biomechanical computer models and smart measurement methods for practice-oriented use in elite and recreational sport as well as sport for health.

The Sports Technology specialist group benefits from SFISM's close ties with athletes and coaches at the highest national level. Individual sport-specific needs are the basis for the targeted research and development in the area of sports technology.

DigitalTwin research project

The objective of the DigitalTwin research project in the area of sports technology is to increase the efficiency and safety of strength training through the further development and validation of biomechanical computer models and mobile measurement methods. The four-year project is being funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation, and the group is working with the Institute for Biomechanics (IfB), at ETH Zurich, and the Swiss Center for Musculoskeletal Imaging (SCMI), Balgrist Campus Zurich.

Strength training to prevent or rehabilitate injuries involving the musculoskeletal system and to improve fitness and sporting performance is widespread. However, recommendations for strength training are often designed subjectively. Adherence to the recommendations or the risk of injury due to errors may be poorly monitored. Under the DigitalTwin project, biomechanical computer models and mobile measurement methods are being developed further and scientifically validated for practice-oriented use in strength training. Research is being conducted into new approaches to record the anatomy and the function of the musculoskeletal system using biomechanical computer models. At the same time, new algorithms for the Apple Watch and iPhone are being developed to determine strength-specific parameters during training. The biomechanical models and numerical algorithms for the Apple Watch and iPhone are being applied and validated in an eight-week strength training intervention study. Factors taken into account during the research include: target group (e.g. elite and recreational sport, sport for health), individual requirements (e.g. anatomy, muscle strength), training type (e.g. speed-based) and accessibility of the technology (e.g. open source, costs incurred, ease of use).

Participation or cooperation: Numerous internships and Master's dissertations have been advertised as part of the DigitalTwin research project. Further information on possible participation or cooperation can be obtained from the head of the study, Dr Katja Oberhofer (katja.oberhofer@baspo.admin.ch).