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Contact information
- KIHU - Research Institute for Olympic Sports
- Rautpohjankatu 6
- 40700 Jyväskylä
- Finland
- Tel: +358 20 781 1500
- Fax: +358 20 781 1501
- Business ID: 1574321-0
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Multimedia and audiovisual know-how
AV applications
KIHU's audiovisual competence and the feedback systems closely connected with it have traditionally been widely applied in the joint projects implemented for sports associations. The systems have been used to present recorded materials as clearly and simply as possible. AV applications have been used independently in making analyses based on image and/or sound, as well as combining them with different measuring signals.
Audiovisual feedback is edited for the athlete/coach based on the performances of either an authentic competitive situation or a normal training session. In some training situations, real-time audiovisual feedback can be given between the performances. For example, KIHU's test laboratory for shooting provides the opportunity for real-time feedback on shooting training. The performances are recorded with e.g. the latest digital video cameras, high-speed cameras, force transducers, and speed measurement devices.
The most important element of audiovisual feedback is high-quality digital video image, which can be further edited in accordance with the needs of the various sports. The main presentation formats of the feedback are PC-based multimedia CDs and DVD presentations. In spite of these rather recent formats, our aim is for the feedback to be easy to use and as quickly available as possible. The feedback includes both the performances saved on a database and the software needed for searching and viewing them.
Methods
KIHU's AV hardware and software have been designed to meet the special requirements of sports - in other words, the devices are versatile, portable and easy to use. In addition to traditional videos and digital photography, KIHU's special expertise covers high-speed filming.
KIHULook is a measuring and feedback system which efficiently utilizes multimedia. It can be used to view four (in some applications even eight) videos and/or measuring signals simultaneously on computer screen. Moreover, the system includes database features, which facilitate the management of large numbers of files. The main purpose of the system is to provide athletes and coaches with a user-friendly method for observing their sport.
During training and competition, the DartTrainer software allows the user to view a performance on the screen of a laptop computer immediately after the performance and compare it with a chosen video file saved previously. Up to four video windows are available. The software also allows the user to record e.g. the coach's comments about the performances during the event in individual audio files. The programme features different options for editing video image (e.g. overlays) and simple drawing and analysis tools (e.g. angle measuring). The software is most suitable for illustrating technique in individual sports.
The Datavideo System and MultiSports are software applications primarily designed for game analysis and video compilations of team sports. They can be used to record chosen events during and/or after a game, immediately after which the recorded events can be easily edited into a video compilation.
References
KIHU's major customers using audiovisual feedback have been the Finnish Shooting Sport Federation, Finnish Athletics, the Finnish Ski Association, and the Finnish Wrestling Association. In addition, several other customers, such as individual sports associations, have occasionally used audiovisual feedback for developing the performance of their athletes. KIHU has also conducted research on the significance of auditive and visual feedback for boosting motor learning.
Content production
The production of contents for coaching and educational materials has emerged as a new area of expertise at KIHU over the past years. KIHU's multidisciplinary activities and good sports connections provide a solid foundation for content production projects. The starting point for our projects is close cooperation with customers. KIHU's contribution to actual content production varies depending on the project and the expertise of the customer. The technical implementation and publication of the content in different formats can be carried out in its entirety by KIHU. Content production projects are mainly implemented utilizing the means of multimedia, in which case the outcome will be a multimedia CD or a DVD presentation. The materials are acquired through e.g. digital video filming, various biomechanical and physiological measurements, and literature searches.
References
During the last few years, KIHU has implemented content production projects with the Finnish Ski Association (cross-country skiing techniques), the Finnish Olympic Committee (strength training CD), the Association of Finnish Coaches (strength training CD 2), Finnish Athletics (javelin CD), and with Hospital Mehiläinen (presentation material for anterior cruciate ligament surgery). KIHU edits yearly multimedia compilations on the individual seminars of the Coaching in Finland seminar series.