The aim of the project was to identify the body position (competitive position) in windsurfing of the iQFOiL class, which will most effectively translate into maximizing the speed of the athlete's movement on the water. The creation of the iQFOi class is related to the introduction of a new technology in windsurfing - hydrofoils. This is a load-bearing surface placed at the end of the ballast of the board submerged in the water. The use of hydrofoils has the effect of raising the board above the water, which reduces the resistance it creates and allows it to sail at higher speeds. Currently, to get the best results, athletes test different settings (body positions) while swimming, guided by intuition and experience. However, the optimal model has not yet been developed.
The project consisted of three stages: developing a method for estimating an athlete's center of gravity (OSC) position from 2D photos, identifying predisposition to windsurfing in the iQFOiL class based on an assessment of anthropometric characteristics and movement patterns, and studying the effect of an athlete's body position on swimming speed.
The first stage of the project used the capabilities of the Biomechanics Laboratory at Poznan University of Technology. Using a motion capture system, the position of the athlete on the board was recorded. The data thus acquired made it possible to accurately determine the position of the body's center of gravity, which was later used to develop a method for estimating the position of the center of gravity, based on 2D images under racing conditions. Competitors' positions were compared with their swimming speeds on the Gulf of Gdansk.
The project was co-developed by the Polish Sailing Association, Rehasport Clinic sp. z o.o., Poznan University of Medical Sciences and Poznan University of Technology, and funded by the Ministry of Sport and Tourism as part of its support for scientific projects in the field of competitive sports in 2022.
