The doctoral dissertation explores the interdisciplinary field of real-time biomechanical feedback, integrating knowledge from electrical engineering, sports science, and physical rehabilitation. It focuses on developing and applying systems and wearable devices to improve movement patterns during sports activities, with particular emphasis on real-time biomechanical feedback in water sports, especially swimming.
Biomechanical feedback systems capture, process, and deliver real-time information on users’ movements, helping them enhance their techniques. This is achieved through advanced sensors, actuators, communication systems, and computing technologies. Such systems play a crucial role in adapting athletes’ movements by using intelligent sports equipment, which allows for improved performance and efficiency. Feedback is provided through visual, auditory, and haptic modalities, depending on the activity. A comprehensive review of the field revealed that most research focuses on rehabilitation, with less attention on sports, particularly water sports. Haptic feedback is the least explored modality in current applications, although it holds significant potential.
The development of the wearable device occurred in several stages, from the initial prototype to the final system, which includes haptic actuators, kinematic sensors, wireless communication, and a microcontroller. Special attention was given to the device’s modularity, enabling adaptability for various sports and rehabilitation applications. Three user studies were conducted to test the system’s effectiveness and usability.
The first study, with 34 participants, evaluated the haptic interface in different environments (in and out of water) and placements (head, waist) during various activities. Participants received different haptic signals and provided feedback on their sensations. The study showed that the haptic interface reliably provided feedback, even in water, and users were satisfied with the device’s performance.
The second study, involving 51 participants, focused on the usability of the haptic interface during intensive swimming training. Participants learned six haptic symbols representing different tasks and received them randomly during training. The results demonstrated that the interface effectively conveyed information, allowing athletes to adjust their movements accordingly.
The third study, with 31 participants, tested the integration of the haptic interface into a real-time biomechanical feedback system. The system provided feedback on hip rotation during freestyle swimming. The comparison between swimming with and without the system showed that the device successfully delivered feedback, helping swimmers adjust their movements and improve their technique.
The studies confirmed that a real-time biomechanical feedback system with a haptic interface is promising for swimming applications. Future research should focus on integrating various data and presenting results effectively to sports coaches and experts to further enhance training and performance.
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