Smart textile solutions as biofeedback method for injury prevention for Latvian football youth league players
Aim
The project combines innovation and health in youth football. The DAid® smart sock system integrated into virtual reality will help youth football players to improve their performance and reduce the risk of injury, giving players the opportunity to develop and grow in a healthy way.
Description
Lower limb injuries are the most common in youth football leagues, accounting for 72% to 93% of all injuries. The leading prevention programme in football today is the FIFA 11+ warm-up program, which reduces the risk of injury by 30%. Evidence from several studies confirms the addition of feedback during training reduces the incidence of injury by 40%. Recent studies have shown that the smart textile sock system is an objective, easy-to-use tool for real-time foot monitoring and is an interactive feedback tool for athletes. However, there is a lack of information on the impact of the objective feedback provided by the smart textile sensor socks system on the outcome measures of football players prevention programmes. In the first phase of the project, a cross-sectional study involving youth league footballers will be conducted to identify the most effective feedback elements of the smart sock system. In the second phase, a pilot study will be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of prevention exercises using the feedback provided by smart textile sensor socks. The results of the functional tests and the study outcomes will be selected as performance indicators to evaluate the smart textile sensor sock system. Conclusions on the use of the smart textile sensor sock system as a feedback method for injury prevention in Latvian Youth Football League players will be drawn based on the results obtained from the project.
- Outcomes to be achieved
- Five original research articles in journals listed in the WoS/SCOPUS databases;
- To develop an injury prevention plan for football players incorporating the DAid® smart sock system;
- To develop a virtual reality module and friendly app to motivate players;
- Continuous monitoring of players' injury prevention tasks and real-time data acquisition;
- Long-term injury tracking after the end of the prevention program.
- Key activities of our project
Projecta team member defended her Master's thesis
In June 2026, our project team member Nikola Ņikiforova successfully completed and defended her Master's thesis, “Use of the Smart DAid® Sock System for Providing Biofeedback in Mixed Reality: Effects on the Functional Performance of Youth League Football Players.” The thesis evaluated how the integration of digital technologies and biofeedback solutions can contribute to improving movement control, functional performance, and training processes in youth sports. The findings complement the project's research activities and provide practical insights for the development of innovative solutions in the fields of sports and health technologies.
Participation in the 7th Annual Virtual Reality and HealthCare Europe Symposium in Iceland
Linda Lancere, Lead Researcher at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Doctor of Engineering Sciences, and researcher in the project Smart Textile Solutions as a Biofeedback Method for Injury Prevention in Latvian Youth Football League Players, presented a poster entitled Smart Textile Socks-Based XR Guidance for Soccer Injury Prevention at the 7th Annual Virtual Reality and HealthCare Europe Symposium, held in Reykjavik, Iceland, on 13–14 November 2025.
Participation in the 5th International Conference Society. Technology. Solutions
Our project team representative, Lydia Kamynina, participated in the 5th International Scientific Conference and the 14th Student Research Conference Society. Technology. Solutions., held in Valmiera on 15–17 October 2025 during the E³UDRES² Science Festival.
Lydia Kamynina’s research supervisor is Dr. sc. ing. Linda Lancere, member of the Scientific Council of the Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences Research Institute and Lead Researcher.
Participation in the RTU Big Bang Conference
On 16 October 2025 Dr. med. Guna Semjonova, Lead researcher of the FLPP project Smart Textile Solutions as a Biofeedback Method for Injury Prevention in Latvian Youth Football League Players, presented the report Validity Of The Daid® Smart Socks For The Evaluation Of Foot Plantar Pressure In A Single-Leg Squat Study at the Big Bang session of the 66th International Scientific Conference of Rīga Technical University.
The study was conducted in collaboration with Youth Football League players and Dr. Darja Nesteroviča, Lead Researcher at Rīga Stradiņš University and a certified technical orthopaedist. Through collaboration, we are able to achieve results worthy of a true Big Bang.
Participation in the European College of Sport Science (ECSS) Congress 2025, Rimini
Authors A. Davidoviča, G. Semjonova, S. Davidovičs, A. Kataševs, A. Okss, S. Tomsone, L. Lancere, and M. Zolovs presented the poster Biomechanical Correlation Analysis Using Independent Wireless Systems in Youth Football Players (Abstract No. 561) at the European College of Sport Science (ECSS) Congress, held in Rimini, Italy, in July 2025.
Participation in the 12th International Baltic Congress of Sports Medicine
At the 12th International Baltic Congress of Sports Medicine, held in Riga on 16–17 May 2025, the project team presented an oral presentation.
The authors (Anna Davidoviča, Guna Semjonova, Prof. Aleksejs Kataševs, Prof. Signe Tomsone, Linda Lancere, Aleksandrs Okss, Lydia Kamynina, Alise Jonāte, and Andis Bikšāns) presented the study: Enhancing Injury Prevention in Football: A Smart Socks-Based Biofeedback System for Real-Time Biomechanical Monitoring.
Project presentations in Albania and Egypt
In May 2025, researcher Linda Lancere presented the project and its results at Ain Shams University, which is Egypt's second-largest university. In April of the same year, she presented the project and its results at the University of Shkodra "Luigj Gurakuqi" in Albania.
Participation in RSU Research Week 2025
On 26 March 2025, RSU Research Week hosted the international scientific conference Knowledge for Use in Practice.
Within the subsection Advances in Sports Technology of the Sports Science, Sports Medicine and Rehabilitation section, our project team representative Anna Davidoviča delivered an oral presentation entitled: Assessment of Lower Limb Biomechanics Using Wearable Sensors in Youth Football Players Executing Single Leg Squat.
The presentation examined lower-limb biomechanics assessment using wearable sensors during single-leg squat performance in youth football players. The study contributes valuable insights into athlete functional assessment and sports injury prevention.
XR Application Testing
On 21 March 2025, the project team met to conduct testing of the newly developed XR application.
The team thoroughly evaluated the application's functionality and user experience, while identifying opportunities for further improvement. This was an excellent opportunity to see how our ideas are being transformed into a practical solution.
We thank all team members for their contributions and feedback. Development and refinement of the application will continue in preparation for presentation to a wider audience.
Ideation for an Innovative Solution
The project team is currently developing an innovative solution that combines injury prevention with the meaningful application of video technologies.
During intensive ideation sessions, the team analyses existing virtual reality solutions for football players and their limitations to create an effective, interactive, and personalised approach to improving physical preparedness and injury prevention among youth football players.
The goal is to develop a technology that not only enhances athletic performance but also significantly reduces injury risk.
Conference Current Affairs in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
On 9 December 2024, at the Current Affairs in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation conference organised by Orto Klīnika, researcher Anna Davidoviča delivered a presentation entitled Correlations of Biomechanical Variables of Lower Limb Movement during Functional Tests in a Youth League Football Player Population.
Participation in the 3rd Latvian National Rehabilitation Congress
The project team participated in the 3rd Latvian National Rehabilitation Congress, held from 23 to 25 November 2024.
Researchers Guna Semjonova and Linda Lancere led the hands-on workshop Technologies in Rehabilitation: Early-Stage Products, while Anna Davidoviča presented the DAid Smart Sock System prototype.
Participation in icSPORTS 2024
On 21–22 November 2024, the 12th International Conference on Sport Sciences Research and Technology Support (icSPORTS 2024) was held in Porto, Portugal, and online in a hybrid format.
Our project representative Anna Davidoviča participated remotely and presented the poster: Biomechanics of the Lower Extremity in Youth Football League: FIFA 11+ One Leg Squat Analysis.
Participation in the Latvian Traumatologists and Orthopaedists Conference
On 2 November 2024, the 11th Latvian Conference of Traumatologists and Orthopaedists took place in Riga.
Our project team representative Anna Davidoviča delivered an oral presentation: Correlation of Biomechanical Variables of Lower Extremity Movement During the Functional Test “Single-Leg Squat” and Its Variations in Youth League Football Players.
The presentation highlighted the importance of biomechanical indicators in injury prevention within youth football and the role of smart technologies in athlete functional assessment.
Presentation at the 51st Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Clinical Biomechanics
Researcher Guna Semjonova presented at the 51st Annual Meeting of the Japanese Society of Clinical Biomechanics, held in Osaka, Japan, on 1–2 November 2024. Her presentation focused on smart textile sensors and was entitled Wearable Healthcare: The Role of Smart Textile Sensors.
Summer Workshop
On a hot July Monday (15 July 2024), the project team gathered for a workshop focused on the next stage of project development.
The workshop reviewed existing VR solutions for football players and analysed their current challenges. During brainstorming sessions, the team discussed planned interface elements and potential methodological guidance for youth football players using the VR solution.
The day was intense both outdoors and in our minds. This time, we were also joined by Žizele, whose main responsibility was to prevent our ideas from getting lost during brainstorming sessions. Since the work was demanding, she occasionally took well-earned nap breaks.
RSU Masters' Graduation
On 5 July 2024, project team member Sergejs Davidovičs received his Master's degree from Rīga Stradiņš University, graduating from the Master's programme in Rehabilitation.
His Master's thesis was Correlation of Biomechanical Variables of Lower Extremity Movement During Functional Tests and Functional Tasks in Youth League Football Players.
We warmly congratulate Sergejs on his achievement and wish him continued success in pursuing his professional goals and ambitions.
Lecture on Injury Prevention
On 9 March 2024, the Paediatrics Special Interest Group and the Musculoskeletal (MSK) Physiotherapy Special Interest Group of the Latvian Physiotherapists Association organised the seminar 'Musculoskeletal Disorders in Paediatrics: Evidence-Based Practice.'
As part of the seminar, Anna Davidoviča delivered the educational lecture 'Prevention of Overuse Injuries in Adolescent Team Sports: Opportunities for Physiotherapy.'
The lecture also introduced the project and discussed future perspectives for injury prevention in youth team sports.
Exploring Collaboration Opportunities in Italy
In February 2024, our team representative Linda Lancere participated in a doctoral dissertation evaluation committee and held discussions regarding potential future collaboration opportunities with the University of Brescia, Italy.
Project Kick-Off
27 January 2024 marks the official birthday of our project. The celebration took place at the Virtual Reality Laboratory of Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, bringing together the project team to launch this exciting initiative. A special day for our team!
- Scientific publications
Evaluation of Functional Biomechanical Tests of the Foot and Ankle
- Semjonova, G.; Vallejo-Martínez, R.; Ceballos-Laita, L.; Jiménez-del-Barrio, S.; Davidovics, S.; Davidovica, A. Functional Biomechanical Tests of the Foot and Ankle in Physiotherapy and Sports – Outcome Measures, Wearable Sensor Integration, and Psychometric Properties: A Systematic Review. J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15, 3892. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15103892
Scientific and Technological Concept Protocol
- Davidovica, A.; Semjonova, G.; Kamynina, L.; Lancere, L.; Jonate, A.; Tomsone, S.; Katasevs, A.; Okss, A.; Davidovics, S. Concept Protocol for Developing a DAid® Smart Socks-Based Biofeedback System: Enhancing Injury Prevention in Football Through Real-Time Biomechanical Monitoring and Mixed Reality Feedback. Appl. Sci. 2025, 15, 1584. https://doi.org/10.3390/app15031584
Usability Study
- Semjonova, G.; Davidovica, A.; Kozlovskis, N.; Okss, A.; Katashevs, A. Smart Textile Sock System for Athletes’ Self-Correction during Functional Tasks: Formative Usability Evaluation. Sensors 2022, 22, 4779. https://doi.org/10.3390/s22134779
DAid Smart Sock System for COP Control
- Januskevica, A.; Semjonova, G.; Oks, A.; Katashev, A. and Eizentals, P. (2020). Evaluation of the Foot Performance in “Single Leg Squat” Test of Female Athletes using Smart Socks. In Proceedings of the 8th International Conference on Sport Sciences Research and Technology Support - icSPORTS; ISBN 978-989-758-481-7; ISSN 2184-3236, SciTePress, pages 161-168. DOI: 10.5220/0010146701610168
Correlation Studies of Lower Limb Biomechanical Variables Using Wireless Sensor Systems
- Davidovica, A. et al. (2024, November). Biomechanics of the Lower Extremity in Youth Football League: FIFA 11+ One Leg Squat Analysis. In Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Sport Sciences Research and Technology Support, Porto, Portugal (pp. 20-21)
- Davidoviča, A. et al. (2025). Correlation of Biomechanical Variables of Lower Extremity Movement During Functional Tests and Tasks in Youth League Football Players: Cross-Sectional Correlation Study. JMIR Formative Research, 9(1), e69046. https://formative.jmir.org/2025/1/e69046/
- Project team
We are an interdisciplinary team bringing together representatives from three scientific disciplines in Latvia:
- Sports medicine and rehabilitation, represented by Rīga Stradiņš University, focusing on injury prevention among Latvian Youth Football League players.
- Medical engineering, represented by the DAid® Smart Sock System, developed and provided by Riga Technical University.
- Information and communication technologies, represented by Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, which is responsible for DAid data processing and the development of an individualized real-time feedback system.
Anna Davidoviča
Anna Davidoviča is a doctoral student in the doctoral study programme Health Care at Rīga Stradiņš University. Her doctoral thesis is entitled Application of the DAid® Smart Sock Biofeedback System During an Injury Prevention Exercise Programme for Youth Football League Players. Alongside her research and doctoral studies, Anna works as a certified physiotherapist at the Orto Clinic of Traumatology, Orthopaedics, Spine Surgery and Rheumatology.
Sergejs Davidovičs
Sergejs Davidovičs graduated from the Master’s study programme Rehabilitation at Rīga Stradiņš University. His Master’s thesis was entitled Correlation of Biomechanical Variables of Lower Limb Movement During Functional Tests and Functional Tasks in a Youth League Football Player Population. Sergejs is a certified physiotherapist at the Orto Clinic of Traumatology, Orthopaedics, Spine Surgery and Rheumatology. He also serves as a physiotherapist for the Latvian Football Federation, specialising in football physiotherapy and injury prevention.
Guna Semjonova
Dr. Guna Semjonova is the Scientific Lead of the Project and a Lead Researcher at Rīga Stradiņš University. She is an expert in Medicine and Health Sciences at the Latvian Council of Science. Alongside her research activities, Guna works as a certified physiotherapist at the Orto Clinic of Traumatology, Orthopaedics, Spine Surgery and Rheumatology.
Linda Lancere
Dr. Linda Lancere is a Lead Researcher at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, a Doctor of Engineering Sciences, and a physiotherapist. Her expertise includes the development of IoT-based mixed reality systems and virtual reality solutions for healthcare applications. She has conducted research on virtual reality games designed to increase physical activity among sedentary individuals while incorporating social interaction elements.
Lydia Kamynina
Lydia Kamynina is a student in the Virtual Reality specialisation of the Bachelor’s study programme Information Technology at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences. The topic of her Bachelor’s thesis is Smart Sock Technology: Integrating VR and Android to Enhance User Experience.
Alise Jonāte
Alise Jonāte is a fourth-year student in the Professional Bachelor’s Study Programme Physiotherapy at Rīga Stradiņš University. In 2020, she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Science from the University of Latvia. Alongside her studies, Alise has begun training as a first aid instructor and actively participates in several student scientific societies.
Signe Tomsone
Professor Signe Tomsone is the former Dean of the Faculty of Rehabilitation at Rīga Stradiņš University. She has extensive experience in the management and implementation of healthcare-related projects and has served as an expert in Health Sciences at the Latvian Council of Science since 2016.
Director of Study Programme, Academic Staff, Lead Researcher, Scientific Project ManagerAleksejs Kataševs
Professor Aleksejs Kataševs of Riga Technical University has extensive experience in the development of wearable sensor-based applications for human motion detection, motion analysis, physiological data acquisition, and software development. He has coordinated several national research projects and led research teams in projects funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
Aleksandrs Okss
Dr. habil. sc. ing. Aleksandrs Okss, Lead Researcher at the Design Technology Centre of Riga Technical University, has extensive expertise in knitting technologies, the development of knitted tension- and pressure-sensitive fabrics, and smart textile solutions.
Arta Pētersone
Arta Pētersone is a Project Manager at the Research Department of Rīga Stradiņš University, supporting and coordinating the project's administrative oversight and management.
Andrejs Aļeksejevs
Advisor on TikTok Content Development.
Media
Latvian universities develop smart socks to help reduce injury risk for athletes, researchLatvia (1 November 2024)
