Supporting a uK SucceSS Story: The impacT of - Research Councils ...

Since then, the Imperial team have carried out various studies with
Team GB with research varying from ways to predict lower back
pain in athletes by analysing their rowing technique, to disorders
of the jaw caused by athletes gritting their teeth excessively
when training and competing. In the future, the team plan to
develop their sensor technology further so that it can monitor
athletes while they are training outdoors on rivers and lakes. At
the moment, the technology can monitor the forces exerted
by the athlete on the boat. The next step will see researchers
developing wireless sensors to be worn by athletes to monitor
their movements on the water.
Another example of research analysing athletes’ movements is
Nicola Relph, a lecturer at the University of Cumbria, who is using
biomechanical analysis to help UK 10 metre platform divers on
two of the most difficult dives, the four and half somersaults for
men and the inward three and a half somersaults for women. The
analysis is helping to aid training by giving coaches and divers a
good idea of the important mechanical variables on themselves
and their competitors.
SECTION ONE : TECHNOLOGY 13