Special Topics In Sports Engineering Week 1 Update!

The 2023 edition of Special Topics in Sports Engineering is well and truly up and running! This annual applied course challenges students to predict bicycle performance, and is delivered by experts from across our Erasmus+ funded A4SEE network.

Students have been challenged to create a predictive model of a cyclist on a velodrome track. The catch, they are going to be the cyclist! The students need to work out a range of unknowns including their aerodynamic drag, rolling resistance, and power profile in order to successfully complete the challenge! This will be assessed at the Alkmaar velodrome.

To support the challenge, students have been attending a series of lectures and demonstrations, whilst completing hands-on assignments and field testing. So far the students have had lectures on the principles of performance modelling, thermophysiology, physiological power generation, mechanical power in sports, cycling optimisation, rolling resistance, and the use of smartphones in data capture and analysis. This morning Team DSM-Fermenich spoke on how they use sports engineering to support their cyclists.

Its been a very busy first week, with a predominant focus on the power generation of the cyclist. Chosen pilots for the velodrome test undertook both Wingate and VO2max assessments within the TU Delft Bicycle Laboratory. The focus now shifts towards understanding rolling resistance and aerodynamic performance. Next week will start with a visit to the TU Delft Open Jet Wind Tunnel facility, as we build towards the final reckoning in Alkmaar!