Data‑Driven Skating: How Science Is Shaping the Ice

Lindsay Slater Hannigan, a professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago and consultant for NBC’s 2026 Winter Olympics broadcast, blends research with coaching to elevate U.S. Figure Skating athletes.

A Lean, Tech‑Powered Team

Team composition: A handful of contract workers—psychologist, dietitian, and Hannigan herself.
Technology: Sensors track jumps, muscle fatigue, and overall workload.

Measuring “Workload” in Skating

Definition: In other sports, workload means steps or pitches; for skaters it’s the number of jumps per day.
Sensor partnership: 4D Motion Sports developed a hip‑mounted device that captures rotational speed and identifies each jump.
Impact: Detects performance dips, flags overuse risk.

Endurance Tracking for Ice Dancers

Challenge: Long, continuous sessions similar to 11‑mile runs.
Solution: Monitor endurance workload to prevent burnout.

Race‑Day Strategy Insights

Skaters excelling in the short program may need an extra 20–30 minutes of warm‑up before the free skate, especially if scheduled later.

Advancing Video Analysis

High‑frame cameras (sometimes smartphones) replace wearables.
Goal: Provide objective data for coaches, athletes, and judges.

AI‑Powered Judging Enhancements

Current limits: Low‑frame cameras miss subtle underrotations.
Future vision: AI flags takeoff and landing times for fairer assessments.
Data foundation: Thousands of recorded jumps train reliable algorithms.

Potential Olympic Debut

Technology could debut at the next Winter Games and be used in Salt Lake City 2034, addressing past judging controversies.

Strength Training and Longevity

Background: Transition from quantity to strength training for resilience.
Focus: Supports athletes through puberty‑related biomechanical changes, sustaining performance across life stages.

NBC Commentary

Hannigan translates metrics into accessible commentary, explaining feats like Ilia Malinin’s quad Axel in under a second—comparable to elite basketball jump heights.

Her work shows that behind every graceful glide lies rigorous data analysis, strategic planning, and a commitment to athlete health.