Project information
Project manager
Haris Pojskic
Other project members
Roland Johannes Wilhelmus van den Tillaar (Nord University, Norway), Håkan Andersson (High-Performance Center – Växjö, Sweden)
Participating organizations
Linnaeus University, Nord University, High-Performance Center – Växjö, The Swedish Bandy Association
Financier
Linnaeus University, Nord University, High-Performance Center – Växjö, The Swedish Bandy Association
Timetable
1 Sep 2022–31 Dec 2026
Subject
Sport Science (Department of Sport Science, Faculty of Social Sciences)
More about the project
Given that elite bandy players skate at breakneck speeds, frequently reaching over 40 km/h, it is reasonable to conclude that high-velocity skating and acceleration are crucial skills in bandy. Therefore, the project aims to gain a comprehensive understanding of skating technique and sport-specific on- and off-ice training strategies to improve skating acceleration and speed.
The project will be conducted in several phases. First, it will involve profiling the skating acceleration and maximal speed of elite junior and senior male and female players. Second, it will explore the potential of wearable sensors (e.g., inertial measurement units - IMUs) to detect and measure glide-by-glide spatiotemporal variables such as glide length and time, step length, and frequency. This information would provide valuable insight into the skating technique used in the acceleration and steady-state phase. Third, the study will investigate the acute effects of skating-specific training methods, such as assisted (AS) and resisted sprints (RS), on skating biomechanics (e.g., glide-by-glide step and joint kinematics, muscle activation).
Applying these training methods without understanding how they affect skating technique and performance could be arbitrary, potentially increasing the risk of injury. It would be beneficial to bandy players and coaches to know whether AS and RS can improve skating acceleration and maximal speed, considering the low friction of the ice and skating biomechanics. Furthermore, understanding the potential of physical tests to predict skating performance could be crucial in designing appropriate, bandy-specific strength and conditioning programs involving both on- and off-ice training modalities.
The project is part of the research in the Sustainable sport, performance and leadership research group and the Linnaeus Knowledge Environment Sustainable Health.
