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Technical University of Munich

Intervention study regarding changes in the kinematic chain and ball speed of elite-youth tennis players

The goal of the project is to evaluate the impact of two different interventions (technique, strength training) regarding changes in the kinematic chain as well as the speed of the ball during a tennis serve. According to data from Craig O’Shannessy (braingametennis.com) a tennis rally of elite players typically end within four shots, highlighting the impact of a good serve. The subjects of this project are consisting of elite-youth tennis players, assigned to a control and an intervention group. For the kinematic chain, the project focuses on the speed and the chronological sequence of the different segments, starting from the bottom to the top of the players. For this purpose, we will use markeless 3D motion tracking provided by SIMI. For the speed of the tennis ball, the peak velocity is considered.

Sarah Reisinger, Prof. Dr. Ansgar Schwirtz, Dr. Florian Paternoster

Without good collaborators, such a project would not be possible. This Team consists of:

This project is funded by the Bundesinstitut für Sportwissenschaft.

Biomechanics of Ski jumping

Biomechanical analysis of landing and its preparation

In ski jumping the landing and its preparation have been demonstrated to influence the performance. Over this, an effective and controlled movement is important to prevent injuries, connected in particular with the telemark landing position. The goal of this PhD project is the biomechanical analysis of the landing movements, in order to improve performance and safety, sharing the information with coaches and athletes.

Veronica Bessone, Dr. Wolfgang Seiberl, Prof. Dr. Ansgar Schwirtz

This study is funded by the TUM International Graduate School of Science and Engineering and is part of the project Skopting, collaboration between the Associate Professorship of Biomechanics in Sports and Flight System Dynamics of TUM.

Analysis and optimization of the early flight phase of the ski jump

A ski jump consists of four phases (in run, take off, flight, landing) which have to be inter-coordinated chronologically. The early flight phase as the link between take off and stable flight is the most crucial stage for the ski jumper and requires both optimal control and adjustment to internal and external influencing factors (Arndt et al., 1995). The aim of the study is the optimization of the early flight phase by determining optimal performance patterns and considering the jumpers individual capabilities.

Johannes Petrat, Prof. Dr. Ansgar Schwirtz

This study is funded by the TUM International Graduate School of Science and Engineering and is part of the project Skopting, collaboration between the Associate Professorship of Biomechanics in Sports and Flight System Dynamics of TUM.

Ski rolling angle analysis in ski jumping and Nordic combined

Flight system and ski jumping performance are influenced by the rolling angle of the ski. Therefore, it can be implemented as a valuable parameter in order to optimize the individual flight technique as well as the ski-binding-setup. The goal of this project is to use inertial measurement units (IMUs) for analyzing the rolling angle and provide objective data to athletes and coaches.

Johannes Petrat, Prof. Dr. Ansgar Schwirtz

Project partners: German Ski Association

This project is funded by the Bundesinstitut für Sportwissenschaft.

Biomechanical and physiological prevention program for firefighters

Physical fitness is an important element for firefighters. The purpose of this study is to identify the main biomechanical and physiological demands of firefighting and to develop a firefighting specific preventive exercise program for firefighting incumbents. Subjects undergo a test battery of selected physical ability tests and the results will be matched with the results of the job demands analysis. The assessments include physical demands in terms of aerobic fitness, muscular strength, flexibility and balance abilities in order to gain knowledge on the contribution of these attributes to firefighting.

Stephanie Windisch, Dr. Wolfgang Seiberl, Prof. Dr. Ansgar Schwirtz

Projekt Partners: Prof. Dr. Daniel Hahn, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Flughafen-Feuerwehr München, Flughafen München GmbH, AOK Bayern

This project is funded by the AOK Bayern – Die Gesundheitskasse und Flughafen-München GmbH

Physio - Development of a cyber-physical training system to optimize physiotherapy

The aim of the project is to develop an adaptive cloud-based software solution for physiotherapy training equipment. The software should be an assistant for physiotherapy from diagnosis throughout the training process. The system compensates the care gap between the individual therapy sessions. It includes also the possibility for follow up assessments and training documentation.

Dr. Florian Kreuzpointner, Romina Erhardt

Projekt partners: eGym GmbH, München

This project is funded by the „Bayerischen Staatsministerium für Wirtschaft und Medien, Energie und Technologie“ within the „Informations- und Kommunikationstechnik Bayern“

Cross-country skiing and the influence of different surroundings

The aim of the project is to figure out if cross-country skiing of high-level athletes on a treadmill is comparable to skiing on an outdoor track, providing the national coaches as well as the athlete’s additional information regarding technique optimization. The study will be carried by use of 3D motion analysis, electromyography and pole force measurements and is designed in a close cooperation with the national coaches.

Florian Paternoster, Prof. Dr. Ansgar Schwirtz, Veronica Bessone,  Dr. Wolfgang Seiberl 

Project partners: Michael Veith and German Ski Association

This project is fundet by the Bundesinstitut für Sportwissenschaft

Prevention: Shoulder injuries in javelin throwing – a six year follow up study

The study identifies two major tasks. On the one hand there is a longitudinal six year follow up MRI analysis of functional adaptations under a clinical and structural perspective. On the other hand, there will be a correlation analysis of physiological parameters with the onset of shoulder and or elbow injuries for finding intrinsic parameters.

Dr. Peter Brucker, Christop Köble, Dr. Florian Kreuzpointner, Prof. Dr. Ansgar Schwirtz,

Project Partners: German athletics association, Klinikum Rechts der Isar (MRI)

This project is funded by the Bundesinstitut für Sportwissenschaft.

Force enhancement ein- und mehrgelenkiger Muskelaktionen in vivo bei maximal und submaximal willentlicher Aktivierung

Force enhancement (FE) beschreibt das Phänomen der Kraftpotenzierung einer Muskelzelle oder eines ganzen Muskels während und nach einer aktiven Dehnung, verglichen mit der Kraft einer rein isometrischen Kontraktion bei gleicher Muskellänge. Die zugrunde liegenden physiologischen Mechanismen dieses Phänomens sind bis heute nicht vollständig bekannt. In vitro Studien weisen jedoch darauf hin, dass das Zusammenspiel einer aktiven und einer passiver Komponente auf zellulärer Ebene für die erhöhten Kraftwerte verantwortlich ist. Bisher konnte FE sowohl in vitro als auch in vivo anhand von Muskelfasern und kleineren menschlichen Muskeln nachgewiesen werden, für den Nachweis dessen Existenz bei willkürlicher Alltagsmotorik besteht allerdings noch großer Forschungsbedarf. Um diesem übergeordneten Ziel einen Schritt näher zu kommen, soll die Funktionsweise des willentlich aktivierten m. quadriceps femoris während und nach aktiver Dehnung anhand zielgerichteter in vivo Studien untersucht werden. Dabei stellt unsere Arbeitsgruppe folgende zentrale Fragen in den Vordergrund: (1) Wie gestaltet sich die exzentrische und postexzentrische Kraftpotenzierung bei einem großen menschlichen Muskel (m. quadriceps femoris) in Abhängigkeit des Aktivierungs- bzw. Kraftlevels? (2) Welchen Einfluss hat die komplexe Muskelarchitektur großer Muskeln auf die Charakteristika des FE während und nach aktiver Dehnung?

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