Most significant research project in the sports sector in recent years launched
To improve Latvia’s achievements in sports, researchers from Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU), Riga Technical University (RTU), the University of Latvia, RTU Liepāja Academy, and the Latvian Academy of Sport Education have launched a nationwide research project – “Innovations, Methodologies and Recommendations for the Development and Management of the Sport Sector in Latvia”.
The project is being implemented under the national research programme Sports and will run until the end of 2026. It aims to improve the assessment of the equipment required in technical sports and develop methods for monitoring athletes’ functional abilities and health, as well as promoting the efficiency of training.
The project will not only contribute to developing policies in the industry based on research and data, but will also lead to the development of new approaches for the growth of the sector based on the scientific information generated. Project leader, RSU Assoc. Prof. Dr. med. Signe Tomsone believes that ‘this is a unique opportunity to bring together the best researchers in Latvia, who have the experience and know-how in cooperating with representatives from Latvia’s sport sector, to gain mutual synergy and to be able to implement the tasks set by the national research programme Sports.’
The project involves an interdisciplinary research team of more than 80 participants with expertise in sports science, computer science, biology, physics, medicine and engineering. In addition, it will involve a wide range of representatives from the sports sector – not only athletes, coaches, the parents of children and young people involved in sports, but also professionals working in monitoring athlete’ health like sports physicians, doctors, physiotherapists, etc., sports managers, and policy makers.
The project has attracted funding from the national budget of almost EUR 4.2 million as part of an open competition for the national research programme Sport announced by the Latvian Council of Science. According to the tasks of the national research programme Sport, the project activities are planned to take place in separate working groups:
- sports technology development will focus on the development of technologies and tools to test and improve the material properties of equipment necessary for technical sports. The planned activities are related to RTU's previous work in tribology, metrology, and sliding properties of various mechanical engineering components, including equipment for sliding sports. RTU also plans to develop composite materials for sports equipment manufacturing, aerodynamic simulation, and optimisation;
- the health of those involved in sports, which will develop the research methods and knowledge base in health and sports sciences, focusing on athletes' health, functional abilities, training methodologies and approaches to improve performance in three target groups: athletes involved in adapted and grassroots sports, and children and young people involved in sports;
- sports sector monitoring will analyse kay statistical indicators of sports development and develop a tool for collecting and using sport statistics, as well as develop a sport infrastructure classifier and criteria for evaluating sports infrastructure, prepare recommendations for the planning and management of sports infrastructure in Latvia.
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Further information
Laura Bužinska, Project Manager, Research Department
Phone: 28621469
E-mail: laura[pnkts]buzinska
rsu[pnkts]lv
