Students of Data Engineering at the University of Zielona Góra have demonstrated how knowledge gained in the academic environment can be applied to real-life challenges. They developed innovative analytical projects in cooperation with two leading sports clubs from Zielona Góra: Falubaz Zielona Góra and Orlen Zastal Zielona Góra. The aim? To support athletes and teams in achieving even better results.
The students’ projects show how modern tools such as data analysis, mathematical modelling, image processing, machine learning, and information visualisation can support professional sport. For students, it is a valuable opportunity to learn through real-world examples and experience the satisfaction of knowing that their work has a practical impact and can contribute to improving athletic performance.
As Maks Pozoroszczyk, a fourth-year Data Engineering student, explained: “The project evolved from a project we carried out last semester. It focused on squash and was based on similar principles – using AI tools for image analysis. My team and I were responsible for detecting players, which involved identifying athletes in video footage and transforming visual data using appropriate methods, including 3D image processing. The collected data was then analysed in terms of biomechanical aspects. This included extracting movement vectors, determining knee flexion angles, and analysing the forces and number of rotations performed by the player. One of our goals was also injury prevention – identifying situations that could potentially lead to non-contact injuries. Through this project, I learned how to work with various programming environments. Our knowledge of image analysis methods, including recognition techniques and AI models, proved extremely valuable. These are certainly skills that are highly sought after in today’s labour market and will become increasingly important as technology continues to develop.”
The results of the students’ analyses may translate directly into improved sporting performance. As part of the project developed for Orlen Zastal Zielona Góra, students used training footage to analyse players’ movements, physical performance indicators, and selected aspects of team play.
As Karol Dąbrowski, Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer at the University of Zielona Góra, emphasised, the project is not only about improving results but also about preventing injuries: “We analysed how players put strain on particular muscle groups, which leg they push off from, and which leg they land on. Access to such information will allow coaches and specialists to plan further physiotherapy and rehabilitation activities for athletes more effectively.”
As part of their work with Falubaz Zielona Góra, students focused, among other things, on analysing data from the speedway track and reconstructing the movements of both riders and motorcycles.
As Dr Maciej Niedziela, Professor at the University of Zielona Góra, from the Institute of Mathematics, explained: “On the one hand, we analysed telemetry data. Together with the city, we have developed a camera system that allows us to measure riders’ reflexes and starting speed. A key factor is how quickly a rider reacts to the starting tape being released and the time needed to reach the 30-metre mark, which is the first bend. The rider who reaches the bend first usually has a significant advantage and often wins the race. This is also closely linked to the technical settings of the motorcycles.
Another area analysed by students was track modelling. We examined how to make the track conditions more consistent and predictable, taking into account weather conditions, seasons, and various external factors that influence track performance.”
The results provide insight into events that often occur within fractions of a second – moments that may go unnoticed by the human eye but can have a significant impact on the final outcome of a competition.
As Grzegorz Walasek, coach of Falubaz Zielona Góra, added:
“If riders have regular access to the results of such specialist analyses, they will certainly be able to draw valuable conclusions. The most important factors for us are performance indicators: lap times, racing lines, and the time needed to move from the start-finish line into and out of the bend. A range of parameters is needed to achieve the best possible results.”
The idea behind the research originated from an initiative of the City of Zielona Góra.
As Karol Dąbrowski, Director of the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Technology Transfer at the University of Zielona Góra, explained:
“During the Zielona Góra Sports Forum, an idea was proposed to involve University researchers in activities aimed at strengthening the potential of local sports clubs. As a University, we responded positively – we have the expertise, skills, and specialists needed to take on such challenges. We established a common direction and identified the first areas of cooperation. The initial topics were selected based on the expertise of Professor Niedziela’s research team.”
This was the first stage of the project. The research will continue, with the Institute of Mathematics and the Institute of Health Sciences at the University of Zielona Góra involved in further activities.
The initiative is an excellent example of how cooperation between academia and professional sport can create innovative solutions based on data, technology, and scientific expertise.
