Biomechanical P ... Slalom Water Skiing R1.pdf - Atrium - University ...

2.1 Literature ReviewSports technology research spans from the development of new sport techniques andproducts for elite competitive athletes, to recreational athletes. Amongst these athletes themotive for research can be used to enhance casual participation, and training foradvanced competition. The products that can be improved by sports technology includeequipment, apparel and even facilities [Bruggemann, 2009].Advancements in the material being used to manufacture sporting equipment hasgenerally made equipment stronger and lighter. In some cases it is desired to have amaterial that is more rigid, like a high-performance bicycle, and in other cases it isdesired to have a strong flexible material, like a high-performance hockey stick. In bothscenarios the material selection minimizes the amount of energy that is lost whileparticipating, and consequently improves performance [Bruggemann, 2009].Beyond raw material selection, the emergence of nanotechnology and smart materialshave also improved the performance of sporting equipment. Nanotubes can be used toproduce an ultra lightweight material with high strength characteristics. Improvedmanufacturing techniques have allowed for equipment to be made from a nanotube basedmaterial. Smart materials will have one or more property that changes due to a secondarystimulation. This can include stress, temperature, moisture, pH and electric or magneticfields. In the example of piezoelectric materials not only does a stress generate a voltage,but if a voltage is induced it will produce stress within the material. Therefore, this type14