INS Québec uses data science on a daily basis to optimize the sports benefits that medicine and science can offer. Sports organizations receive best-practice training regarding the use of data and the opportunities this field of study promises. Data scientists are advancing and assisting different sports in the use of data for performance optimization.

Principal investigators

• François Bieuzen, exercise physiologist, INS Québec; associate professor, Université Laval
• Guy Thibault, director, sport science, INS Québec; associate professor, Université de Montréal
• Sylvain Gaudet, exercise physiologist, INS Québec
• Simon Deguire, performance analyst, INS Québec

Period: 2019–2022
Funding: MÉQ (PRIDI)

Working with researchers from the École de Technologie Supérieure, INS Québec is developing a tool that uses machine learning to assess the performance of elite divers using video. The video analysis does not require body markers or accelerometers.

Principal investigators :

• Ramon Figueiredo Pessoa, Ph.D. student, École de Technologie Supérieure
• Carlos Vazquez, professor, École de Technologie Supérieure
• Rachid Aissaoui, professor, École de Technologie Supérieure
• Mathieu Charbonneau, biomechanics specialist, INS Québec

Period: 2018-2021
Funding: OTP, Mitacs

In collaboration with the team led by Polytechnique Montréal professor Maxime Raison, INS Québec is applying artificial intelligence (AI) techniques to analyze high-performance sports data, particularly with respect to para-cycling, para-swimming and short track speed skating. The researchers are studying how AI can be used to complement traditional performance analysis methods, especially to identify which training parameters are most closely correlated to changes in health and fitness levels.

Principal investigators:

• Maxime Raison, professor, Polytechnique Montréal
• Sana Raouafi, Ph.D. student, Polytechnique Montréal
• Luis Antonio Pereira de Lima, Ph.D. student, Polytechnique Montréal
• François Bieuzen, exercise physiologist, INS Québec; associate professor, Université Laval
• Myriam Paquette, exercise physiologist, INS Québec

Period: 2019
Funding: IVADO

In partnership with the École de technologie supérieure, Thomas Romeas develops a virtual reality boxing simulator as a training tool for elite boxers. Using numerical vision methods, video footage of elite boxers’ movements is transformed into 3D kinematics and embedded within a virtual reality engine to provide an agile and interactive simulator.

Principal investigators

• Hossein Feiz, Ph.D. student, École de technologie supérieure
• David Labbé, professor, École de technologie supérieure
• Sheldon Andrews, professor, École de technologie supérieure
• Jocelyn Faubert, professor, Université de Montréal
• Thomas Romeas, neuroscientist, INS Québec; associate professor, Université de Montréal

Period: 2020–2024
Funding: Mitcas, OTP

INS Québec has joined forces with the ministère de l’Éducation and Bishop’s University professor Maxime Trempe to develop teaching materials to improve critical thinking among coaches of high-performance athletes.

Principal investigator:

• Maxime Trempe, professor, Bishop’s University

Period: 2018-2019
Funding: MÉQ

INS Québec and the Ministère de l’Éducation have joined forces to study the context in which athletes specialize in sports such as diving, gymnastics and figure skating at a young age. The researchers are considering the possibility of following up their work with a longitudinal study over a period of at least five years.

Principal investigators:

• Josiane Roberge, physiotherapist, INS Québec
• Dr. Suzanne Leclerc, Medical Director, INS Québec, associate clinical professor, Université de Montréal
• Marc-André Duchesneau, educational psychologist, Université de Montréal
• Guy Thibault, Director, Sport Science, INS Québec, associate professor, Université de Montréal

Period: 2018-2021
Funding: MÉQ

This innovative task involves programming an interface using the language Python to generate reports showing accelerometry data recorded using inertial measurement units on short track speed skaters. This research will make it easier for athletes, coaches and members of the IST to make use of on-ice acceleration and performance data.

Principal investigators:

• Julien Clément, performance analyst, INS Québec
• François Bieuzen, exercise physiologist, INS Québec; associate professor, Université Laval

Period: 2019–2020
Funding: OTP, MÉQ (PRIDI)

INS Québec has developed and empirically tested advanced techniques to analyze the accelerometric measurements of the propulsive phases in cyclical sports such as para-swimming. This work has led to a user-friendly feedback tool for coaches.

Publication

Science Direct – Instantaneous velocity estimation for the four swimming strokes using a 3-axis accelerometer: Validation on paralympic athletes
(click to read the article)

Principal investigators:

• Mathieu Charbonneau, biomechanics specialist, INS Québec
• Julien Clément, performance analyst, INS Québec

Period: 2018-2019
Funding: MÉQ (PRIDI)

INS Québec is developing and testing advanced methods for processing a variety of signals recorded by electronic instruments in training, assessment and competition settings. For example, recording and processing signals generated by athletes jumping on force plates allows for improved monitoring of neuromuscular performance.

Principal investigators :

• Mathieu Charbonneau, biomechanics specialist, INS Québec
• Julien Clément, performance analyst, INS Québec
• Samuel Marion, master’s student, Université de Montréal
• Aaron Manning, master’s student, McGill University

Period: 2018-2020
Funding: MÉQ (PRIDI), OTP

This prototyping work in short track speed skating will improve understanding of skating biomechanics and benefit strength and conditioning and on-ice training.

Principal investigators:

• Laurent Daignault, head technician, national short track speed skating team
• Julien Clément, performance analyst, INS Québec
• François Bieuzen, exercise physiologist, INS Québec
• Ines Guidara, master’s student, École de Technologie Supérieure
• Éric Wagnac, professor, École de Technologie Supérieure
• Bora Ung, professor, École de Technologie Supérieure

Period: 2019-2022
Funding: MÉQ (PRIDI)

Université de Montréal professor Mickaël Begon and his team are working with INS Québec to establish standards regarding ratios and asymmetries for the maximum isometric strength of high-performance athletes’ hip abduction and adduction muscles. They are using artificial intelligence and machine learning to study the link between these metrics and the results of testing based on performance determinants

Principal investigators:

• Mickaël Begon, professor, Université de Montréal
• Patrick Marion, research professional, Université de Montréal
• Kevin Aizen, master’s student, EKSAP, Université de Montréal
• Élodie Monga-Dubreuil, master’s student, EKSAP, Université de Montréal

Period: 2017–2019
Funding: MÉQ (PRIDI)

Period: 2017–2019 – Completed
Funding: MÉES (PRIDI)

As part of her Ph.D. in clinical neuropsychology, Mélissa Vona studies the cognitive abilities of high-performance athletes when healthy and following a concussion.

Principal investigators

• Mélissa Vona, Ph.D. student, Université de Montréal
• Élaine Deguise, professor, Université de Montréal
• Thomas Romeas, neuroscientist, INS Québec; associate professor, Université de Montréal
• Dr. Suzanne Leclerc, medical director, INS Québec; clinical associate professor, Université de Montréal
• Jonathan Deslauriers, neuropsychologist, INS Québec

Period: 2020–2024
Funding: FRQNT

Dr. Suzanne Leclerc has gathered specialists from Université du Québec à Montréal to study medical monitoring methods for when athletes return to their sports after a concussion. These methods are based on the objective measurement of the activity of the sympathetic and parasympathetic branches of the autonomic nervous system

Principal investigators :

• Dr. Suzanne Leclerc, Medical Director, INS Québec, clinical associate professor, Université de Montréal
• David Martin, kinesiologist, INS Québec
• Alain Steve Comtois, professor, Université du Québec à Montréal
• Christian Soto, Ph.D. student, Université du Québec à Montréal

Period: 2017-2024
Funding: MÉQ (PRIDI)

Erik Sesbreno appreciates the prevalence of low energy availability among male volleyball players and its effects on jumper’s knee, cognitive function and countermovement jump performance.

Principal investigator:

• Erik Sesbreno, sport nutrition lead, INS Québec

Period: 2019–2020
Funding: MÉQ (PRIDI)

In partnership with Professors Isabelle Gagnon, Suzanne Leclerc and Kathryn Schneider, student Julien Bernier assesses the effects of six weeks of neuromuscular cervical spine exercises on the risk of injury, particularly concussion, in short-track speed skaters.

Principal investigators

• Julien Bernier, physiotherapist, Master’s student, McGill University
• Isabelle Gagnon, professor, McGill University
• Kathryn Schneider, professor, University of Calgary
• Dr. Suzanne Leclerc, medical director, INS Québec; clinical associate professor, Université de Montréal

Period: 2020–2022
Funding: MÉQ (PRIDI)

On behalf of INS Québec, Dr. Ian Shrier is assessing the effectiveness of visual tests for managing post-trauma vision syndrome in athletes.

Principal investigators:

• Dr. Ian Shrier, physician, professor, McGill University
• Dr. Suzanne Leclerc, medical director, INS Québec

Period: 2019–2020
Funding: MÉES (PRIDI)

In collaboration with a research team from McGill University, INS Québec is studying the issue of concussions in short-track speed skating, in particular by carrying out an epidemiological analysis of the wounds and conducting impact tests on helmets and measuring the effects of falls on the brain using computer models. The study should lead to the development of a new helmet prototype that meets the specific needs of short-track speed skaters.

Principal investigators :

• Dr. Suzanne Leclerc, Medical Director, INS Québec, clinical associate professor, Université de Montréal
• Thomas Romeas, neuroscientist, INS Québec, associate professor, Université de Montréal
• David Pearsall, professor, McGill University
• Daniel Aponte, Ph.D. student, McGill University
• Matthew Kelly, masters’s student, McGill University
• Taylor Léger, masters’s student, McGill University

Period: 2018-2021
Funding: MÉQ(PRIDI), Mitacs

As part of his Ph.D. at McGill University, Félix Croteau is leading a study to identify risk factors for accidental or overuse stress injuries in aquatic sports. This includes developing ways to quantify the training load using accelerometric measurements.

Principal investigators:

• Félix Croteau, physiotherapist, INS Québec; Ph.D. student, McGill University
• Shawn Robbins, professor, McGill University
• David Pearsall, professor, McGill University

Period: 2017-2021
Funding: MÉQ (PRIDI)

As part of her post-doctoral studies, Aïda Valevicius establises a system for monitoring head injuries using inertial movement units. In particular, the study is helping to better understand what happens when impacts to the head occur from falls that lead to concussion in short-track speed skating.

Principal investigators

• Aïda Valevicius, post-doctoral researcher, Université McGill
• David Pearsall, professor, McGill University
• Dr. Suzanne Leclerc, medical director, INS Québec; clinical associate professor, Université de Montréal
• Thomas Romeas, neuroscientist, INS Québec; associate professor, Université de Montréal

Period: 2020–2022
Funding: Mitcas, OTP

With the support of a private company, François Bieuzen conducted an analysis of internal and external training load indices among high-performance short-track speed skaters. The ultimate goal is to make personalized adjustments to training programs. François is also providing guidance to interns involved in developing statistical analyses of training databases for high-performance training groups in order to identify situations that pose a high risk of injury.

Principal investigators:

• François Bieuzen, exercise physiologist, INS Québec; associate professor, Université Laval
• Alix Renaud-Roy, strength and conditioning coach, INS Québec; master’s candidate, Université de Montréal
• Bastien Bontemps, intern, INS Québec
• Marcus Leite Fraga, intern, INS Québec
• Jérémy Briand, bachelor’ student, McGill University
• Pierre-Olivier Breault, master’ student, Université de Montréal

Period: 2017-2019
Funding: MÉQ (PRIDI), OTP

INS Québec’s scientific team intends to work with Exonetik to develop an innovative strength and conditioning apparatus with intelligent resistance, incorporating the magneto rheological actuator invented by this Québec-based company. The project will go ahead when a financial partner joins INS Québec and Exonetik.

Principal investigator :

• Guy Thibault, Director, Sport Science, INS Québec; associate professor, Université de Montréal

Period: Not started
Funding: MÉQ (PRIDI)

Nicolas Berryman is establishing the validity and reliability of an agility test in water polo.

Principal investigators:

• Nicolas Berryman, exercise physiologist; INS Québec; professor, Bishop’s University
• Lily Dong, master’s student, McGill University

Period: 2018-2019
Funding: OTP

In collaboration with the Québec-based company Hexfit, INS Québec is developing solutions that will make it easier not only to share sports, medical and scientific data but also to analyze this data using the most up-to-date methods. Organizations such as nations sports institute, sports federation and sports clubs that may be interested in using this cutting-edge tool for sharing and processing data related to high-performance sports can contact INS Québec’s exercise physiologist, Sylvain Gaudet (sgaudet@insquebec.org)

Principal investigator:

• François Bieuzen, exercise physiologist, INS Québec; associate professor, Université Laval
• Sylvain Gaudet, exercise physiologist, INS Québec

Period: 2017-2024
Funding: MÉQ (PRIDI)

• Nicolas Berryman is establishing the validity of a repeated sprint ability test that involves the upper limbs. This test was designed to meet the particular needs of judo athletes.

Principal investigators:

• Nicolas Berryman, exercise physiologist; INS Québec; professor, Université du Québec à Montréal
• François Bieuzen, exercise physiologist, INS Québec; associate professor, Université Laval
• Nicolas Klug, master’s student, Université de Montréal

Period: 2017-2019
Funding: OTP, MÉQ (PRIDI)

The science team tests the validity and reliability of lower body power measurements to determine the different levels of expertise of fencers.

Principal investigators

Rosemarie Cournoyer, strength and conditioning coach, INS Québec

Nicolas Berryman, exercise physiologist; INS Québec; professor, Université du Québec à Montréal

Period: 2020–2021
Funding: OTP

This team of scientists is working to quantify water polo goalkeepers’ movements in training using inertial measurement units, in order to better gauge their external training load.

Principal investigators:

• Félix Croteau, physiotherapist, INS Québec; PhD student, McGill University
• Julien Clément, performance analyst, INS Québec

Period: 2019–2020
Funding: OTP, MÉQ (PRIDI)

Mathieu Charbonneau is developing software that brings together a variety of trampoline performance metrics to provide feedback quickly and also to track performance and training load over time.

Principal investigator:

• Mathieu Charbonneau, biomechanics specialist, INS Québec
• Eve Charbonneau, master’s student, Université de Montréal

Period: 2018-2019
Funding: MÉES (PRIDI)

Using SCRIBENS laboratory technology, François Raymond and Myriam Paquette test the effectiveness of different neuromuscular markers for monitoring para-cyclists.

Principal investigators

• François Raymond, strength and conditioning coach, INS Québec
• Myriam Paquette, exercise physiologist, INS Québec
• Réjean Plamondon, professor, Polytechnique Montréal

Period: 2019-2021
Funding: OTP

Julien Clément tests the practicality of inertial measurement units to monitor the external training loads of elite judokas in combat situations.

Principal investigator

• Julien Clément, performance analyst, INS Québec

Period: 2020–2022
Funding: OTP

Mathieu Charbonneau tests the validity of a method for rating technical and tactical skills in boxing. It is programmed as a web application to facilitate its use in real time during combat.

Principal investigators

• Mathieu Charbonneau, biomechanics specialist, INS Québec
• François Bieuzen, exercise physiologist, INS Québec; associate professor, Université Laval
• Kevin Leblanc, software engineer, INS Québec
• Pierre-Yves Beauparlant-Gervais, software engineer, INS Québec

Period: 2020–2021
Funding: OTP

Julien Clément and Félix Croteau use inertial measurement units to develop a test specifically for monitoring neuromuscular fatigue in elite water polo athletes.

Principal investigators

• Julien Clément, performance analyst, INS Québec
• Félix Croteau, physiotherapist, INS Québec; PhD student, McGill University

Period: 2020–2021
Funding: OTP

Université de Montréal professor Mickaël Begon and his team are developing a dynamic model of complex movements for INS Québec. They are also creating an interactive and immersive virtual reality environment to help athletes learn aerial acrobatics (applications in trampoline, gymnastics, diving, etc.).

Publications
(click to view)

• Optimal Control as a Tool for Innovation in Aerial Twisting on a Trampoline
• Optimal 3D arm strategies for maximizing twist rotation during somersault of a rigid-body model

Principal investigators:

• Mickaël Begon, professor, Université de Montréal
• François Bailly, postdoctoral intern, Université de Montréal
• Eve Charbonneau, master’s student, Université de Montréal
• André Venne, master’s student, Université de Montréal

Period: 2018-2020
Funding: MÉQ (PRIDI), Mitacs

Using virtual reality technology, Thomas Romeas tests safe strategies for decision-making training in boxers.

Publications (in French)

• Radio-Canada – Découverte : La boxe en mode virtuelle

Principal investigators

• Thomas Romeas, neuroscientist, INS Québec; associate professor, Université de Montréal
• Basil More-Chevalier, Ph.D. student, Université de Montréal
• François Bieuzen, exercise physiologist, INS Québec; associate professor, Université Laval
• Mathieu Charbonneau, biomechanics specialist, INS Québec

Period: 2019–2020
Funding: OTP

On behalf of INS Québec, Jonathan Tremblay and his team are carrying out tests to determine the effects of eccentric cycling training on performance in high-level cyclists and runners.

Principal investigator:

• Jonathan Tremblay, professor, Université de Montréal

Period: 2019-2021
Funding: MÉQ (PRIDI)

As part of her PhD, Lily Dong studies the influence of exercise intensity on cognitive performance in water polo. The project aims to better understand the effects of fatigue on the decision-making abilities of athletes.

Principal investigators

• Lily Dong, Ph.D. student, Université du Québec à Montréal
• Nicolas Berryman, exercise physiologist; INS Québec; professor, Université du Québec à Montréal
• Thomas Romeas, neuroscientist, INS Québec; associate professor, Université de Montréal

Period: 2020–2024
Funding: MÉQ (PRIDI)

Guy Thibault develops a user-friendly web application that will allow coaches to create advanced interval training sessions. The application will feature a mathematical model for interval training with improvements over conventional models that are currently available.

Principal investigators

• Guy Thibault, director, sport science, INS Québec; associate professor, Université de Montréal
• Simon Deguire, performance analyst, INS Québec
• Jérémy Briand, performance analyst, INS Québec

Period: 2020–2021
Funding: MÉQ (PRIDI)

On behalf of INS Québec, the team of Professor François Billaut (Université Laval) study the effects of three-week training blocks consisting of interval sessions combined with blood flow restriction (BFR, or ischemic occlusion) techniques in endurance athletes.

Principal investigators

• Hubert Bourgeois, M.Sc. student, Université Laval
• François Billaut, exercise physiologist; professor, Université Laval

Period: 2020–2022
Funding: MÉQ (PRIDI)

The team led by Université Laval professor François Billaut is working for INS Québec to identify the ergogenic effects of ischemic occlusion between two maximum exertions. Ischemic preconditioning is a noninvasive technique in which the blood (and therefore, oxygen) supply to a muscle is repeatedly restricted for a short time, which may lead to a substantial improvement in the muscle’s performance.

Principal investigators:

• Pénélope Paradis-Deschênes, Ph.D. student, Université Laval
• François Billaut, exercise physiologist; professor, Université Laval

Period: 2018-2020

Funding: MÉQ (PRIDI)

INS Québec is developing a smartphone app that can inform and advise athletes, coaches and other training personnel regarding strategies to reduce the negative effects of trans-meridian travel.

Principal investigators :

• François Bieuzen, exercise physiologist, INS Québec; associate professor, Université Laval
• Phénix Agence Web
• Jeremy Olson, Ph.D. student, McGill University
• Sarah Noël, industrial designer
• Gabriel Legault, undergraduate student, Université Laval

Period: 2017–2019
Funding: MÉES (PRIDI)

As part of her Ph.D. in exercise physiology, Myriam Paquette is leading an empirical study to identify training methods that can be used to improve and optimize muscles’ ability to extract oxygen. This project is carried out in cooperation with the national sprint Canoe Kayak team and help to optimize training programs in multiple sports.

Publications
(click to view)

• Effect of a 3-Weeks Training Camp on Muscle Oxygenation, V˙O2 and Performance in Elite Sprint Kayakers
• Sustained Muscle Deoxygenation vs. Sustained High VO2 During High-Intensity Interval Training in Sprint Canoe-Kayak
• Muscle Oxygenation Rather Than VO2max as a Strong Predictor of Performance in Sprint Canoe–Kayak

Principal investigators:

• Myriam Paquette, exercise physiologist, INS Québec
• François Billaut, exercise physiologist; professor, Université Laval
• François Bieuzen, exercise physiologist, INS Québec; associate professor, Université Laval

Period: 2017-2021
Funding: MÉQ (PRIDI)

As part of her Ph.D. at Université de Sherbrooke, Catherine Naulleau is studying the efficacy of a quick weight-cutting method (for sports with weight classes) based on water loading and a low-fibre diet.

Principal investigators:

• Catherine Naulleau, nutritionist, INS Québec; Ph.D. student, Université de Sherbrooke
• Éric Goulet, professor, Université de Sherbrooke

Period: 2018-2022
Funding: MÉQ (PRIDI), OTP

Para swimming integrated support team is using a protocol including three phases to decrease the impact of injury and excessive fatigue: investigate the recovery activities offered in other national para swimming training centers; study the associations between training load and incidences of injuries or discomfort during training; and assess the accuracy of post-training procedures in order to improve recovery between sessions and increase the training capabilities of athletes.

Principal investigator:

• Myriam Paquette, exercise physiologist, INS Québec; PhD student, Université Laval
• Pierre-Olivier Breault, strength and conditioning expert, Université de Montréal

Period: 2019–2020
Funding: OTP

Using state-of-the-art technologies such as virtual reality coupled with eye tracking, Thomas Romeas and Veronique Richard are testing perceptual-cognitive  training strategies to improve water polo goalers’ anticipation and decision-making skills.

Principal investigators:

• Thomas Romeas, neuroscientist, INS Québec
• Véronique Richard, Mental Performance consultant, INS Québec

Period: 2019–2021
Funding: MÉQ (PRIDI)

Under the supervision of Myriam Paquette, as well as Professors Andreas Bergdahl and Véronique Pepin, Master’s student Véronica Furno identify the physiological determinants of hand-cycling (para-cycling) performance in province-level, Canadian national team and next-generation athletes in order to better characterize their physiological profiles.

Principal investigators

• Myriam Paquette, exercise physiologist, INS Québec
• Andreas Bergdahl, professor, Concordia University
• Véronique Pepin, professor, Concordia University
• Véronica Furno, Master’s student, Concordia University

Period: 2021–2023
Funding: MÉQ (PRIDI)

This study aims to examine the relationship between the height of vertical jumps on force plates and sprint performance in high-performance female hockey players. It improve hockey players’ training programs by using vertical jumps to track performance.

Principal investigator:

• Cory Kennedy, strength and conditioning coach, INS Québec
• Michelle Caron, master’s student, McGill University

Period: 2018-2019
Funding: OTP

Myriam Paquette is testing warm-up strategies that optimize racing performance while taking the needs of para-swimming athletes into account.

Principal investigators:

• Myriam Paquette, exercise physiologist, INS Québec
• Jared Fletcher, exercise physiologist; professor, University of Calgary
• Jean-Michel Lavallière, master’s student, University of Canberra

Period: 2018-2019
Funding: OTP

In partnership with the Université de Sherbrooke, Amélie Soulard studies the benefits of an eight-week yoga program combined with mindfulness exercises with regard to preventing exhaustion in high-performance athletes.

Principal investigators

• Chrystelle Houde St-Pierre, M.Sc. student, Université de Sherbrooke
• Felix Berrigan, professor, Université de Sherbrooke
• Amélie Soulard, psychologist and mental performance consultant, INS Québec

Period: 2020–2022
Funding: MÉQ (PRIDI)