Optimizing Professional Cyclists’ Performance Using NI LabVIEW and NI CompactDAQ

Author(s):
Steve Owens - Colorado Premier Training

Industry:
Biotechnology

Products:
LabVIEW, NI CompactDAQ

The Challenge:
Creating a unique computer-based wind tunnel testing system to advise professional cyclists and bicycle manufacturers on optimal rider positioning and gear configuration to efficiently overcome wind resistance and maximize pedaling power.

The Solution:
Merging the NI LabVIEW graphical programming environment and NI CompactDAQ hardware with various video and sensory instruments to design and deploy an integrated, real-time monitoring and display system for a wind tunnel that sets a new standard in competitive cycling and training.

In competitive cycling, the performance of the equipment and the rider’s positioning can have just as big an impact on the outcome of a race as the athlete’s conditioning. In a sport where the outcome may be decided by tenths of a second, it is critical that riders’ gear, and their precise use of it, be impeccably tuned and synchronized for optimum performance.

Amateur and professional cyclists make our Colorado Premier Training wind tunnel a regular part of their off-season routine. Here, athletes and their coaches have access to the latest training techniques and high-tech equipment to measure aerodynamics and positioning, and provide feedback on how to overcome wind resistance and improve overall rider efficiency. Additionally, bike manufacturers use our wind tunnel to improve current designs and test new ones.

System Overview

As much as 90 percent of the power an athlete produces is used to overcome wind resistance. Because wind has such a big impact on an athlete’s performance, we use the latest National Instruments technology to acquire and analyze rider data so riders can make sure they are getting the most out of their training.

Athletes spend about an hour in the wind tunnel per session while our system gathers information related to a biker’s riding position, heart rate, and other physiological parameters that influence performance. We acquire data and analyze it with NI CompactDAQ data acquisition hardware and a proprietary software program based on the LabVIEW graphical programming environment.

This combination of LabVIEW software and modular NI CompactDAQ hardware collects all the necessary data, including wind speed and drag measurements, and converts it into the number of watts the rider is producing. If necessary, we can manually input other variables, including temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, and air density, to get drag measurements and account for wind direction.

By using cutting-edge software and flexible hardware, coaches and riders can see all of the data in real time and immediately improve and adjust performance. The coaches and trainers then can use the data to make necessary adjustments to the rider’s training regimen. The data is then exported to Excel files for analysis and for the coaches to use to permanently augment the rider’s training regimen.

Overcoming Wind Tunnel Noise Challenges

The wind tunnel is a noisy environment, making it difficult for coaches and athletes to communicate verbally. To solve this problem, we equipped the wind tunnel with top-, front-, and side-view cameras. We then project real-time images of the rider and all relevant information onto a screen on the floor in front of the rider. This way, riders can analyze their positioning during each phase of the training. While other wind tunnel centers use intercoms to communicate with riders, our system eliminates the need to yell commands over the sound of the wind. After a session, we output every video into a media file for the rider.

Intuitive Programming

Before beginning work on this project, I had never programmed with LabVIEW. My background is in physiology and biomechanics, and my programming experience is limited to Java and C++. When I began using LabVIEW, I was immediately impressed, mainly because it is much more user-friendly than any programming languages I had previously experienced. This made our system development process not only more intuitive but also much more efficient.

Proven Success

Our wind tunnel is the only system in the world that incorporates aerodynamic tests using this configuration. Because of this, we continually attract world-class professional cyclists and high-profile manufacturing clients, and we quickly built a reputation of improving performance for both types of clientele. Using LabVIEW, at Colorado Premier Training we are helping athletes achieve their full potential and improve the effectiveness of their training programs.

Author Information:
Steve Owens
Colorado Premier Training
PO Box 888
Durango, CO 81302
United States
Steve@coloradopremiertraining.com

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