Science and sports at university

The research findings from the eight laboratories are presented under six themes:

• Search
  How can you become a sports coach, referee, or physical education teacher? In the future, aspiring sports professionals will be able to rely on technology to support them throughout their careers—from training to international competitions!
• Learn more at
  Through these research projects—“video-based training” and “the hidden aspects of refereeing”—the ACTé laboratory demonstrates the value and contribution of new technologies to the training of sports professionals (physical education teachers and referees).
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  In the future, physical activity and sports will be accessible to everyone and beneficial for everyone. Discover how incorporating certain activities into your daily routine can improve your quality of life!
• Push Yourself
  Whether you're a woman or a man, an adult or a child, sports are for everyone! In the future, sports activities will be tailored to each person's individual needs.
• Get to Know Yourself
  Improve your performance, correct your mistakes, prevent injuries… our researchers are developing incredible measurement devices so that, in the future, you’ll be able to know everything about your athletic abilities!
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  Sports are a hallmark of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, particularly thanks to its mountainous terrain. Discover the groundbreaking work of our researchers on mountain sports, which will continue to be an inexhaustible source of discoveries in the years to come.

Sports is a major focus of research and education at the University of Savoie Mont Blanc. In addition to the regional exhibition, the work of five research labs is highlighted:

HEALTH, PERFORMANCE, AND INNOVATION
The LIBM focuses its research on physiology, biomechanics, neuroscience, and engineering sciences as they apply to physical and sports activities and health. Its research has led to several innovations in the optimization of sports equipment. Some of these innovations are featured in the exhibition to illustrate the laboratory’s work: trail running shoes adapted to foot strike patterns, instrumented ski boots, etc.

The Systems and Materials for Mechatronics Laboratory (SYMME) conducts research focused on innovation in healthcare and industrial innovation. Several innovative sports equipment items are on display, including the innovative Jetcycle pedal boat and the Yonner…

HUMAN-NATURE INTERACTIONS
The Dynamic Environments, Territories, and Mountains Laboratory (EDYTEM) and the Alpine Ecology Laboratory (LECA) focus, respectively, on current environmental and socioeconomic challenges facing mountain environments and territories, as well as on the functioning of Alpine species and ecosystems, and on predicting their responses to change.

THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN SKIING
The Department of Science and Technology of Physical and Sports Activities (STAPS) at the USMB, in collaboration with the Laboratory of Languages, Literatures, Societies, Transborder and International Studies (LLSETI), presents the results of the interdisciplinary study they conducted on the role of women in mountain snow sports.

Equipment innovation is an integral part of several USMB programs. Through supervised projects, this topic serves as a relevant educational tool. Some projects are carried out in partnership with companies that contribute their expertise.
Some result in a prototype or a patent. The USMB, in partnership with various organizations (its Business Club,the Savoie Technolac student incubator, the Galiléo business incubator, etc.), supports project leaders in the creation of businesses and startups.

Three examples of USMB programs in the field of Science & Sport:

• Master's in Sports Science (STAPS) – Engineering and Ergonomics of Physical Activity (IEAP) at USMB, in partnership with the LIBM team in Chambéry: One of its educational focuses is the development of an innovative sports equipment project over a six-month period. Each project establishes a protocol and experimental phases to evaluate the product (its technical characteristics, performance, existing competition, etc.).
• The DUT in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering (GMP) atthe Annecy IUT, in collaboration with the SYMME laboratory: university projects such as the fairing-equipped bicycle, the JetCycle, and the Yonner serve as educational tools for the GMP department.
  – The Professional Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Textile and Footwear Performance (PSTF) at the Annecy IUT: During this program, taught entirely in English, students complete a supervised group project throughout their studies in response to a request from a company in the sports industry. The company supports them throughout the project from October through the end of February.

USMB Innovation Challenge
The Innovation Challenge combines outdoor sports with mental challenges. This event provides an opportunity for students’ ingenuity and creativity to meet innovation projects or service and product design proposals submitted by companies. Over two days, teams tackle a variety of sports disciplines (trail running, mountain biking, water sports, etc.) and work on an R&D topic proposed by companies in the sports, wellness, and health sectors.

As students at USMB, their academic project led to the launch of a business. Their journey is featured in the exhibition.

•  Wens:
  “After earning a bachelor’s degree in Sports Science and Adapted Physical Activity at the University of Grenoble, I am now pursuing a master’s degree in Engineering and Ergonomics of Physical Activity at the University of Savoie Mont-Blanc.
  Beyond developing adapted physical activity programs for people with specific needs, I wanted to expand my training by designing and creating adapted products.
  During the second semester of my first year of the master’s program, I took a course taught by Annie Rouard on biomechanics and motor skills. The idea emerged, then took shape in a working group, eventually leading to a potential entrepreneurial project in my second year of the master’s program, where I had the opportunity to delve deeper into the subject during my final internship. A patent was filed, and then various organizations placed their trust in us and supported us in this venture (such as the SATT Linksium), which allowed us to work with the LIBM, Frédérique Hintzy, and Nicolas Forestier, Vice President of Research Commercialization at the USMB. This is what enabled me to bring the project to fruition and launch the company Wens in June 2018. “
  The USMB therefore directed me toward organizations that were previously unknown to me, such as the Savoie Technolac student entrepreneur incubator, and served as a bridge between the academic project and the entrepreneurial venture. The connection with the USMB and the LIBM remains strong, as we are still working together today.”
• Samaya:
  Arthur and Ghislain met while pursuing a DUT in mechanical engineering through the sports-study program at the IUT in Annecy; these three years allowed them to combine elite-level sports (Arthur in road cycling, Ghislain in lead climbing with the French national team) with their academic studies. It was during this program that the duo got to know each other and were introduced to backpacking.
  While pursuing his bachelor’s degree in PSTF (Performance Sports Textiles and Footwear) at the Annecy IUT, Ghislain worked on a university project to design an ultralight tent for outdoor sports, proposed by Antoine Barthelemy. Thanks to the coherence of his initial designs, his enthusiasm for the project, and the jury’s recommendation, Ghislain joined the OSV (Outdoor Sports Valley) incubator at the Annecy Base Camp in May 2018, where he gained knowledge related to entrepreneurship. Arthur, returning from six months of volunteer work in Nepal following the 2015 earthquake, quickly became involved in the initial testing phases of the prototypes crafted by Ghislain. They took these first handmade prototypes to the summit of Mont Blanc, spending a night at 4,808 meters on August 15, 2018.
  Following the testing phases, Arthur took on a key role in the project, and the two teammates officially filed the articles of incorporation for SAMAYA SAS together on November 5, 2018. Without delay, the young startup was invited to the largest outdoor trade show in Munich, ISPO Brandnew, which offers a select few innovative startups the opportunity to establish themselves on the international outdoor market stage. This first trade show propelled SAMAYA into international expansion, generating significant interest from customers and distributors worldwide.
  Thanks to the OSV incubator and motivated, dedicated volunteers, the team was able to surround itself with experts in every aspect of business creation, from company formation to product development.
  The journey of USMB and OSV has laid a stable foundation for the company, enabling the brand’s development to accelerate in the right direction.

The USMB is honoring its elite athletes by showcasing portraits of some of them during the exhibition. The online portrait gallery highlights the journeys of student-athletes enrolled in the various degree programs offered by the USMB.

The elite athletes at the University of Savoie Mont Blanc (USMB), regardless of their sport or level of performance, balance their passion for sports with their higher education and bring honor to the university through their athletic achievements.
Each year, approximately 400 athletes study at USMB (representing about 25 sports).
USMB has earned more than 200 world medals through its students since 1985.

At the start of the academic year, the Raid SHN will take place on September 26, 2019, in Annecy
This athletic competition, open to all high-level student athletes at USMB, is a major team-building event at the start of the academic year that helps them integrate into university life.