Optimizing movement sequences in cross-country skiing – with measurement technology from HBM

HBM: Valuable seconds can be saved in cross-country skiing with improvements in the movement sequences and more economic force distribution within those complex movement sequences.

The CSEM Institute in Switzerland has carried out tests in this area to gain knowledge about improved movement sequences. Measurement technology from HBM was used here. Forces and accelerations were measured in the ski poles, shoes and on the skiers themselves for this purpose. For example, type C9B HBM force transducers were used in the poles.

The signals from the various transducers were acquired by a type DQ430 espressoDAQ measuring amplifier. The power supply was provided simply via the USB port of a notebook, which was also connected to a GPS receiver. Thanks to the very compact pocket-book format of the espressoDAQ measuring amplifier, all the measurement technology fits into a rucksack, which can be easily carried by the test person during the tests. Force and acceleration trends in various situations could be recorded and evaluated in this manner.

Comprehensive knowledge can be gained using similar measuring methods in other sports for optimizing movement sequences, or they can also be applied in the medical sector, for instance in rehabilitation, healing processes and successful treatments.