Luge Federation Explores How Scientists Can Support Sports

Author
Riga Technical University

December 9, 2024

research collaboration

To learn more about the sports technologies developed by scientists at Riga Technical University (RTU) and how they could help representatives of Latvia’s luge sports achieve better results, a delegation from the Latvian Luge Federation visits RTU.

RTU scientists and engineers, including those from RTU Liepāja Academy, collaborate with colleagues from the University of Latvia and Riga Stradiņš University (RSU), including RSU’s Latvian Academy of Sport Education, on the national research program “Sports.” The project, titled “Innovations, Methodologies, and Recommendations for Sports Sector Development and Management in Latvia” (IMRSportsLV), focuses on developing sports technologies. The aim is to enhance performance in competitive sports by creating tools to test and improve the material properties of equipment used in technical sports disciplines.

Collaboration Highlights

During their visit, representatives of the Latvian Luge Federation—including President Klāvs Vasks, Vice President Dace Gods Romanovska, Manager Daniels Fogels, and Coach Zintis Šaicāns—were introduced to research conducted on surface geometry and friction measurements. These studies, carried out multiple times at Finland’s Olympic Research Center in Vuokatti, examine how micro- and macrogeometry, materials, wax application, thermal treatment, and laser texturing impact sliding performance. The findings aim to refine innovative steel treatment technologies and identify improvements for sports equipment.

To enable such large-scale experiments under conditions simulating competition, RTU plans to construct a large tribometer in its student campus in Ķīpsala. Scientists shared the design of the tribometer and explained the types of studies it would support. Such experimental devices are rare worldwide.

kamaninu-federacija.PNG
A delegation from the Latvian Luge Sports Federation meets with RTU scientists and learns about their research. Photo: Jānis Lungevičs, RTU

Advanced Research Initiatives

RTU scientists are also:

  • Simulating and modeling the aerodynamic properties of various materials.
  • Planning sled prototype experiments in a wind tunnel.
  • Analyzing high-performance materials for sports equipment and their dynamic properties.
  • Developing a sensor system in collaboration with University of Latvia colleagues to analyze real-time athlete and sled movements on the track.

High-performance computing (HPC) infrastructure plays a key role in this research. According to Jānis Lungevičs, lead researcher at RTU’s Institute of Mechanical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering and head of the Mitutoyo Metrology Laboratory, this infrastructure, combined with RTU’s extensive expertise, elevates the quality of the research.

Longstanding Partnership with Sliding Sports

For years, RTU scientists and engineers, primarily from the Faculty of Civil Engineering and Mechanical Engineering and the Sports Technology Center of RTU’s Science and Innovation Center, have collaborated with Latvian sliding sports representatives. Their work focuses on enhancing sleds and equipment, helping athletes achieve higher results and become more competitive on the global stage.

Recommended articles

sports science research

The Science of Basketball: Knowledge Brings Victory

Basketball is a high-intensity team sport that combines complex biomechanical and physiological principles. Physical and psychological preparation, as well as monitoring training loads, are only part of the work needed for athletes to achieve success. Before significant events such as the EuroBaske…

researchLatvia

August 27, 2025

research

Study Confirms: Probiotics Improve the Health and Growth Performance of Aquaculture Fish

Can probiotics help farmed fish grow healthier and faster? Within the framework of the SPPwelfare (INTERREG) project, researchers studied how probiotics, administered both through feed and bathing, affect the development of Baltic salmon (Salmo salar) fry at different life stages. The results show …

Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment "BIOR"

August 26, 2025

doctoral studies STEAM research

Science Begins with Passion; and Passion Becomes a Profession

Anete Sapne, a PhD student at the University of Latvia (UL), passionately studies materials that could one day become a key component in optical computers – future technologies capable of processing data much faster than today’s devices. Her research field, nonlinear optics, may seem complex, yet b…

University of Latvia Communication Department

August 22, 2025

innovation technologies collaboration

Europe’s Largest Innovation Network Meets Latvian Innovators in Riga – EIT National Day 2025

On 8 October 2025, the EIT Community Latvia will host the EIT National Day 2025 – a high-level event bringing together representatives from European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), government, academia, and industry to discuss Latvia’s achievements and collaborative results to date, a…

Alina Dolmane, EIT Community Hub Latvia

August 21, 2025