A Test Setting to Enhance Bobsled Performance at Start Phase

This paper focuses on a test setting that could be used to enhance performance of bobsleigh teams. The collaboration of the teams plays an important role to maximize the performance during bobsleigh runs. We introduce a method to log forces at the start of the run. The setting is validated for 10 runs of nine pilot and brakeman duos. Runs with synchronized force peaks exhibit slight improvements in start speed (0.07 m/s) and start time (52 ms). These improvements are not significant. We provide recommendations for an improved test setting that could be used to collect data to retrieve those factors that mostly influence athletes’ performance in starting bobsleigh runs.