Optimization of the speedskating technique for the straights
J.A. Ravenhorst (TU Delft - Mechanical Engineering)
Eline van der Kruk – Mentor (TU Delft - Biomechatronics & Human-Machine Control)
A.L. Schwab – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Biomechatronics & Human-Machine Control)
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Abstract
The Dutch speedskating federation expressed the need for a feedback system for elite long-track speedskaters that can aid them in finding the optimal technique for an individual athlete. To contribute to this goal, this research aims to develop an optimization workflow that can reproduce realistic steady state speedskating behaviour. This is done with use of the simple skater model (SSM) (Van Der Kruk, Veeger, van der Helm, & Schwab, 2017). The research consists of two phases. The first to verify if the optimization can produce realistic speedskating motion, the second optimizes the speedskating technique to minimize the duration of one stroke. The optimization is solved with IPOPT. Even though the first phase can reproduce realistic speedskating motion, the optimal technique found in the second phase was unrealistic in terms of both trajectory and applied forces. This is caused by an inconsistency in the heading of the skate. This research shows the capabilities and limitations of optimizing the speedskating technique with the SSM.