Sport Science - Biomechanics

SASI Biomechanics provides support to SASI coaches and athletes in the following areas:

• Measurement and analysis of forces applied by athletes in field and laboratory situations
• Video analysis of technique through high speed and digital video
• Using digital video, GPS and other tools to assist in analysing competition and training performance
• Continually improving testing methods and equipment to keep SASI at the forefront of sport science
• Helping coaches, athletes and other sport scientists to stay up to date with the latest developments in biomechanics
• Contributing to the biomechanics community through research

Force measurement in the field is the area which has the most creative technological solutions. Examples of these solutions at SASI include:

• Rowing: instrumented rowing gates, allowing the force applied by the rower as well as the angle it is applied at to be measured and analysed
• Kayaking: strain gauges which measure force are placed on the paddle and give a measurement for how hard the athlete is pulling the blade through the water
• Athletics (pole vault): SASI staff designed and built a pole plant box which gives 3 dimensional force measurements, analyzing how the athlete is transferring force from the pole to the ground
• Cycling: SASI use SRM cranks to analyse the torque produced by cyclists as they are pedaling

Our Team
Sport Biomechanist: Alec Buttfield