Skating efficiency and technique during roller speed skate using innovative piezoelectric smart socks: an exploratory study

This study presents an innovative system for analyzing roller speed skating techniques. It involves socks equipped with piezoelectric sensors and accelerometers, for real-time data collection and synchronization with video signal. Sensors are mixed into cotton fibers, placed in three-foot areas, whi...

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Main Authors: Giulia Bongiorno, Francesco Giuseppe Minisini, Helena Biancuzzi, Francesca Dal Mas, Luca Miceli
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-07-01
Series:Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1554264/full
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author Giulia Bongiorno
Francesco Giuseppe Minisini
Helena Biancuzzi
Francesca Dal Mas
Francesca Dal Mas
Luca Miceli
author_facet Giulia Bongiorno
Francesco Giuseppe Minisini
Helena Biancuzzi
Francesca Dal Mas
Francesca Dal Mas
Luca Miceli
author_sort Giulia Bongiorno
collection DOAJ
description This study presents an innovative system for analyzing roller speed skating techniques. It involves socks equipped with piezoelectric sensors and accelerometers, for real-time data collection and synchronization with video signal. Sensors are mixed into cotton fibers, placed in three-foot areas, while the accelerometer is positioned above the external malleolus. Using this system, connected to a mobile APP via Bluetooth, data on foot pressure points, and efficiency metrics, are acquired and calculated. Comparative analysis of a high level competitive and a novice skater highlighted the ability of the system to detect different motor patterns while skating. The high level competitive exhibited different types of strides, with different utilization of foot areas and subsequent accelerometric values. The system could identify the “digital signature” of optimal skating technique, providing training insights for beginners and improving performance tracking. Future applications include building an elite athlete database to refine movement suggestions, with potential adaptability to other cyclic sports.
format Article
id doaj-art-4d6f552b77684a49987efd7f24a43a76
institution OA Journals
issn 2624-9367
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
spelling doaj-art-4d6f552b77684a49987efd7f24a43a762025-08-20T02:35:57ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sports and Active Living2624-93672025-07-01710.3389/fspor.2025.15542641554264Skating efficiency and technique during roller speed skate using innovative piezoelectric smart socks: an exploratory studyGiulia Bongiorno0Francesco Giuseppe Minisini1Helena Biancuzzi2Francesca Dal Mas3Francesca Dal Mas4Luca Miceli5“Friuli Riabilitazione” Rehabilitation Center, Pordenone, ItalyDepartment of Physics, University of Milan, Milan, ItalyDepartment of Economics, Ca’ Foscari University, Venice, ItalyVenice School of Management, Ca’ Foscari University, Venice, ItalyCollegium Medicum, University of Social Sciences, Lodz, PolandPain Medicine, IRCCS CRO National Cancer Center of Aviano, Aviano, ItalyThis study presents an innovative system for analyzing roller speed skating techniques. It involves socks equipped with piezoelectric sensors and accelerometers, for real-time data collection and synchronization with video signal. Sensors are mixed into cotton fibers, placed in three-foot areas, while the accelerometer is positioned above the external malleolus. Using this system, connected to a mobile APP via Bluetooth, data on foot pressure points, and efficiency metrics, are acquired and calculated. Comparative analysis of a high level competitive and a novice skater highlighted the ability of the system to detect different motor patterns while skating. The high level competitive exhibited different types of strides, with different utilization of foot areas and subsequent accelerometric values. The system could identify the “digital signature” of optimal skating technique, providing training insights for beginners and improving performance tracking. Future applications include building an elite athlete database to refine movement suggestions, with potential adaptability to other cyclic sports.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1554264/fullroller skate accelerationfoot pressure distributionsmart socksroller skate efficiencyeducational purpose
spellingShingle Giulia Bongiorno
Francesco Giuseppe Minisini
Helena Biancuzzi
Francesca Dal Mas
Francesca Dal Mas
Luca Miceli
Skating efficiency and technique during roller speed skate using innovative piezoelectric smart socks: an exploratory study
Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
roller skate acceleration
foot pressure distribution
smart socks
roller skate efficiency
educational purpose
title Skating efficiency and technique during roller speed skate using innovative piezoelectric smart socks: an exploratory study
title_full Skating efficiency and technique during roller speed skate using innovative piezoelectric smart socks: an exploratory study
title_fullStr Skating efficiency and technique during roller speed skate using innovative piezoelectric smart socks: an exploratory study
title_full_unstemmed Skating efficiency and technique during roller speed skate using innovative piezoelectric smart socks: an exploratory study
title_short Skating efficiency and technique during roller speed skate using innovative piezoelectric smart socks: an exploratory study
title_sort skating efficiency and technique during roller speed skate using innovative piezoelectric smart socks an exploratory study
topic roller skate acceleration
foot pressure distribution
smart socks
roller skate efficiency
educational purpose
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1554264/full
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AT francescogiuseppeminisini skatingefficiencyandtechniqueduringrollerspeedskateusinginnovativepiezoelectricsmartsocksanexploratorystudy
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