Technology in flat track roller derby training : supporting safe practice with limited resources

Abstract

This master's thesis describes the use of technology in women's flat track roller derby and proposes five new technological tools to assist in training for games without compromising skater safety. The tool ideas were evaluated by fifteen roller derby players in Oulu through a questionnaire to determine which of the proposed tools would benefit the hobbyists the most.

The proposed tools included a laser-based "track positioning tool" and four mobile applications. One of the applications was a manually operated counter that the referee could use while skating, and another was designed to help to study and understand the penalties of roller derby during practice. The "automated penalty tracking" and "electronic Jam timer" relied on audio for automated data collection during play to assist in game statistics collection and game time tracking, respectively.

Based on the survey results, the participants were most excited about a tool designed to help in laying out the roller derby track. A prototype of the track positioning tool was created using a combination of 3D modeling, a 3D printer, laser modules, and recycled materials. The prototype lacked the accuracy needed for displaying the track, but demonstrates how a laser-based solution could be created to assist in laying out a track for roller derby with minimal wasting of tape.