Ice hockey technology research, development and innovation environment (JÄTTI)
Main funder
Funder's project number: A80944
Funds granted by main funder (€)
- 296 468,00
Funding program
Project timetable
Project start date: 01/03/2024
Project end date: 31/08/2026
Summary
The plan of the JÄTTI project is to design and implement a technology-based training
environment for ice hockey in the area of the Vuokatti sports ecosystem. In the first phase,
a regional network supporting the research, development and innovation activities of team
games (TP1) is organized, which works in cooperation with national sports federations and R&D
networks. Through this, the project has synergy with the permanent SUTKI project in the Central
Finland region, which is implemented as a joint project with the Institute of Elite Sports (KIHU)
and the University of Jyväskylä. The digitization and automation of the tests performed on the
ice will be implemented in terms of analyzes for junior and adult players (TP2). Currently, clubs
use a wide range of different ice and laboratory tests in ice hockey without tightening the test
guidelines, and in addition, ice tests are performed with the help of procedures set on the ice,
which takes up valuable ice time. Reflecting the scientific literature and the recommendations of
the national sports association, batteries are confirmed for year-round use in the Vuokatti area
and it is possible to spread them elsewhere for national and international use as well.
Another key part of the project is the development of technological innovations in Vuokatti's
sports ecosystem to support hockey sport and physics analyses, which is in synergy with the
Sport&Tech project implemented by the municipality of Sotkamo and Kajaani University of
Applied Sciences. A key part of this is the development of intelligent feedback in cooperation
with KAMK, which is based on the development of a digital tactical board (TP3). The idea of
the board is to help visualize the feedback received from exercises, which can help juniors
to understand mistakes in the game more easily and which contributes to the development
of game literacy. Another key technology theme is the development of automatic analysis of
skating technique and measurement of the power output of the skating kick in cooperation
with VTT. (TP4). Skating covers about 70% of technical skills and it is important to learn its
mastery already in the early junior years. By monitoring the system, it is possible to analyze
the development of the players' skating technique, e.g. through puberty, where rapid height
growth often causes problems in controlling skating technique. The monitoring of technical skills
and physiological data can later also support in finding out the root causes of sport-specific
injuries such as stress fractures of the back. The development of measurement technology will
also enable the study of other ice sports such as short-track and figure skating in the future.
As the third technology part, machine learning (AI) is utilized in the analysis of large datasets
(TP5). Test results often have a lot of deviations between individuals, and in addition to this,
the ever-increasing amounts of data make it difficult to detect essential factors and interpret the
measured data. This part is in synergy with the ongoing KUHA 2 project in the Kainuu area,
where larger amounts of data are collected in a data pool for further use and visualization, and
with the sports data strategy work led by the Finnish Olympic Committee.
Future development steps will be the construction of a skating mat and a small test trough to
be placed in the laboratory and synthetic ice means in the Vuokatti area. In the future, these
environments would make it possible to analyze even more detailed technical performances,
e.g. with motion analyses, IMU and EMG sensors. The technological applications to be
developed support the sports ecosystem of the region and they can be partially or completely
transferred to other sports as well, such as football. Starting this line of research enables the
birth of a new business and/or the development of already existing companies in the field
of hockey technology-based applications. In addition, the research and test environment
strengthens the expertise and attractiveness of the area, e.g. by attracting new junior players
to the area for academy training, increasing the interest of clubs' camp activities both nationally
and internationally, and increasing Vuokatti's international recognition as a versatile physical
education, tourism, research and development environment.
environment for ice hockey in the area of the Vuokatti sports ecosystem. In the first phase,
a regional network supporting the research, development and innovation activities of team
games (TP1) is organized, which works in cooperation with national sports federations and R&D
networks. Through this, the project has synergy with the permanent SUTKI project in the Central
Finland region, which is implemented as a joint project with the Institute of Elite Sports (KIHU)
and the University of Jyväskylä. The digitization and automation of the tests performed on the
ice will be implemented in terms of analyzes for junior and adult players (TP2). Currently, clubs
use a wide range of different ice and laboratory tests in ice hockey without tightening the test
guidelines, and in addition, ice tests are performed with the help of procedures set on the ice,
which takes up valuable ice time. Reflecting the scientific literature and the recommendations of
the national sports association, batteries are confirmed for year-round use in the Vuokatti area
and it is possible to spread them elsewhere for national and international use as well.
Another key part of the project is the development of technological innovations in Vuokatti's
sports ecosystem to support hockey sport and physics analyses, which is in synergy with the
Sport&Tech project implemented by the municipality of Sotkamo and Kajaani University of
Applied Sciences. A key part of this is the development of intelligent feedback in cooperation
with KAMK, which is based on the development of a digital tactical board (TP3). The idea of
the board is to help visualize the feedback received from exercises, which can help juniors
to understand mistakes in the game more easily and which contributes to the development
of game literacy. Another key technology theme is the development of automatic analysis of
skating technique and measurement of the power output of the skating kick in cooperation
with VTT. (TP4). Skating covers about 70% of technical skills and it is important to learn its
mastery already in the early junior years. By monitoring the system, it is possible to analyze
the development of the players' skating technique, e.g. through puberty, where rapid height
growth often causes problems in controlling skating technique. The monitoring of technical skills
and physiological data can later also support in finding out the root causes of sport-specific
injuries such as stress fractures of the back. The development of measurement technology will
also enable the study of other ice sports such as short-track and figure skating in the future.
As the third technology part, machine learning (AI) is utilized in the analysis of large datasets
(TP5). Test results often have a lot of deviations between individuals, and in addition to this,
the ever-increasing amounts of data make it difficult to detect essential factors and interpret the
measured data. This part is in synergy with the ongoing KUHA 2 project in the Kainuu area,
where larger amounts of data are collected in a data pool for further use and visualization, and
with the sports data strategy work led by the Finnish Olympic Committee.
Future development steps will be the construction of a skating mat and a small test trough to
be placed in the laboratory and synthetic ice means in the Vuokatti area. In the future, these
environments would make it possible to analyze even more detailed technical performances,
e.g. with motion analyses, IMU and EMG sensors. The technological applications to be
developed support the sports ecosystem of the region and they can be partially or completely
transferred to other sports as well, such as football. Starting this line of research enables the
birth of a new business and/or the development of already existing companies in the field
of hockey technology-based applications. In addition, the research and test environment
strengthens the expertise and attractiveness of the area, e.g. by attracting new junior players
to the area for academy training, increasing the interest of clubs' camp activities both nationally
and internationally, and increasing Vuokatti's international recognition as a versatile physical
education, tourism, research and development environment.
