WE the Wheeled Experience: increasing insight for greater engagement
To enhance the spectator experience at parasport events, it is important for the audience to understand what is happening on the field.
To enhance the spectator experience at parasport events, it is important for the audience to understand what is happening on the court. The research group Assistive Technology for Mobility and Sports is investigating this in collaboration with Basketball Experience NL (BEN). The aim of this research is to engage more people in wheelchair sports. We achieve this by providing insight into the athletes' performance while the match is still in progress.
Unique method in the Netherlands
This project involves developing a method to provide real-time performance feedback to wheelchair athletes. The tool being created for this purpose is suitable for use during training sessions for all wheelchair athletes, as well as during wheelchair fittings or clinics conducted by BEN. It is a unique concept that has never before been developed for wheelchair sports. This allows the Netherlands to set the standard at the European Para Championships and other wheelchair sports events.
The research
An IMU mounted on the wheel of a sports wheelchair makes it possible to measure the wheelchair's movements. First, the wheelchair's dimensions—such as wheel size and width—must be known. With this information, sensor data can be acquired. The sensor transmits data regarding rotational speed and acceleration. This information can be converted into speed and turning movements (rotation). Based on these data, other metrics can also be calculated, such as distance traveled, time spent in specific speed zones, the number of sprints and accelerations, the number of rotations, and so on.
Measuring individual wheelchair performance is a relatively new field, and the Netherlands is at the forefront of conducting scientific and applied research as well as providing sports support. The application of knowledge and technology to display wheelchair performance in real time is unique. This puts the Netherlands on the map—including in the context of organizing the European Para Championships.
This sensor-based measurement principle is applicable to all wheelchair sports—such as tennis, rugby, and basketball—as well as wheelchair racing. The sensors are easy to mount on the wheelchair.ra Championships. There are plans to continue further developing the techniques during that event as well.
Collaboration
The method using IMUs to provide feedback on wheelchair performance was developed through a collaboration between The Hague University of Applied Sciences, TU Delft, NOC*NSF, BEN, and various sports federations.
Duration
This project ran until the 2023 European Para Championships. There are plans to continue further developing the techniques during that event as well.
Contact
Rienk van der Slikke ([email protected])