Work

Ten questions in sports engineering: generic athlete models for sports fluid dynamics

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Computational and experimental investigations of flow over athletes are key elements of sports fluid dynamics to analyse performance and equipment design. However, the use of athlete-specific models often limits reproducibility, collaboration, and data sharing due to ethical and competitive constraints. This paper introduces and defines Generic Athlete Models as openly available, standardized geometries accompanied by benchmark flow datasets. The case is made that such models are essential to improve the reliability, comparability, and transparency of fluid dynamics research in sports. While only a few generic athlete models currently exist, this paper outlines clear directions for their further development and broader adoption.

Source: Sports Engineering

DOI: 10.1007/s12283-025-00537-0

Authors: Knut Erik Teigen Giljarhus, Wouter Terra

Institutions: University of Stavanger, Nederlands Olympisch Comité Nederlandse Sport Federatie, Delft University of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Sports Dynamics and Biomechanics

Subfield: Biomedical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,990

Funder: Universitetet i Stavanger