The use of GPS for continuous measurement of kinematic data and for the validation of a model in alpine skiing

At the Institute for Theory and Practice of Training and Movement a model was developed to calculate the running time and the optimal trajectory in alpine skiing with the use of genetic algorithms. Up to now the results of the validation of the model were promising but the evaluation (3D-kinematic, DLT) required a lot of time. A GPS-System from the Institute for Sports and Environment offers new possibilities to measure kinematic data of alpine skiers and could be used to validate the model of alpine skiing. The advantage of this GPS-System is the direct use of the results without time-consuming calculations. Further the data of the GPS-System could be used to produce virtual camera rides and to evaluate the results under aspects of competition and aspects of safety (e.g. comparison between real and optimized trajectories, analysis of the curve radius, analysis of the angle of gate entrance, analysis of the centrifugal force). The aim of the study was to prove the practical use of this GPS-System in alpine skiing.