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Skating efficiency and technique during roller speed skate using innovative piezoelectric smart socks: an exploratory
Giulia Bongiorno1, Francesco Giuseppe Minisini2, Helena Biancuzzi3
1"Friuli Riabilitazione" Rehabilitation Center, Pordenone, Italy.
Frontiers in Sports and Active Living
|July 28, 2025
Summary
This study introduces a novel system using sensor-equipped socks to analyze roller speed skating techniques. It captures foot pressure and motion data, identifying optimal skating "digital signatures" for performance improvement.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Biomechanics
- Wearable Technology
Background:
- Analyzing complex athletic movements like roller speed skating requires precise, real-time data.
- Traditional methods often lack the granularity to capture subtle technique variations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate an innovative wearable system for analyzing roller speed skating techniques.
- To provide objective metrics for assessing skating efficiency and identifying optimal movement patterns.
Main Methods:
- Socks integrated with piezoelectric sensors (in three foot areas) and accelerometers (above the external malleolus).
- Real-time data acquisition synchronized with video, transmitted via Bluetooth to a mobile application.
- Comparative analysis between a high-level competitive skater and a novice.
Main Results:
- The system successfully captured distinct motor patterns and foot pressure utilization between skaters of different skill levels.
- Quantitative differences in strides, foot area engagement, and accelerometric data were observed.
- The system demonstrated the ability to identify a unique "digital signature" for optimal skating technique.
Conclusions:
- The developed sensor system offers a viable tool for real-time analysis of roller speed skating technique.
- It provides valuable training insights for beginners and enhances performance tracking for athletes.
- Future applications include elite athlete database creation and adaptation for other cyclic sports.
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