Key Body Posture Characteristics of Short-distance Speed Skaters at the Start Based on Artificial Intelligence

TL;DR

This study uses AI-based video analysis to identify key biomechanical factors influencing the starting performance of male short-distance speed skaters, highlighting posture and stride characteristics that affect speed and effectiveness.

Contribution

It introduces an AI-driven biomechanical analysis method to determine critical body posture features impacting speed skating starts, providing new insights into optimal starting techniques.

Findings

Post-stability angle, knee angles, and stride length positively correlate with starting speed.

Trunk angle negatively correlates with starting speed and effectiveness.

Smaller ice-contact and propulsion angles, larger trunk and hip angles improve starting performance.

Abstract

Objective To conduct biomechanical analysis on the starting technique of male short-distance speed skating athletes in China and determine the key factors affecting the effectiveness of the starting movement. Methods 13 high-level male short-distance speed skating athletes were selected as the test subjects, and kinematic data were collected using an artificial intelligence video capture and analysis system. The body posture features and their effects on the starting movement performance were analyzed in the three stages of starting preparation, starting, and sprinting. Results The post-stability angle, anterior knee angle of the front leg, posterior knee angle of the rear leg, and stride length showed moderate to high positive correlations with the starting speed during the starting preparation stage. The trunk angle showed a high negative correlation with the starting speed. The trunk angle (TO4, TD4, TO6, TD6), hip angle (TO1, TO4, TO6), and knee angle (TD1) showed moderate to high negative correlations with the effectiveness of the starting movement during the starting and sprinting stages. The knee angle (TD2), ice-contact angle (TD2, TD4, TD5, TD6), and propulsion angle (TO1, TO4, TO7) showed moderate positive correlations with the effectiveness of the starting movement. Conclusion Stride length, left knee angle, and post-stability angle are the key factors affecting the starting speed. The larger the post-stability angle and left knee angle and the longer the stride length, the faster the starting speed. During the starting and sprinting stages, the smaller the ice-contact angle and propulsion angle, the greater the trunk angle and hip angle changes, the more effective the starting movement.