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Adaptive feedback system for optimal pacing strategies in road cycling

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Abstract

In road cycling, the pacing strategy plays an important role, especially in solo events like individual time trials. Nevertheless, not much is known about pacing under varying conditions. Based on mathematical models, optimal pacing strategies were derived for courses with varying slope or wind, but rarely tested for their practical validity. In this paper, we present a framework for feedback during rides in the field based on optimal pacing strategies and methods to update the strategy if conditions are different than expected in the optimal pacing strategy. To update the strategy, two solutions based on model predictive control and proportional–integral–derivative control, respectively, are presented. Real rides are simulated inducing perturbations like unexpected wind or errors in the model parameter estimates, e.g., rolling resistance. It is shown that the performance drops below the best achievable one taking into account the perturbations when the strategy is not updated. This is mainly due to premature exhaustion or unused energy resources at the end of the ride. Both the proposed strategy updates handle those problems and ensure that a performance close to the best under the given conditions is delivered.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Computer and Information Science, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany

    Stefan Wolf & Dietmar Saupe

  2. Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy

    Francesco Biral

Authors
  1. Stefan Wolf
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  2. Francesco Biral
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  3. Dietmar Saupe
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Correspondence to Dietmar Saupe.

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This article is a part of Topical Collection in Sports Engineering on Measuring Behavior in Sport and Exercise, edited by Dr. Tom Allen, Dr. Robyn Grant, Dr. Stefan Mohr and Dr. Jonathan Shepherd.

This research was funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation)—247721022.

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Wolf, S., Biral, F. & Saupe, D. Adaptive feedback system for optimal pacing strategies in road cycling. Sports Eng 22, 6 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12283-019-0294-5

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