User Acceptance and Behavioral Impact of a Wearable Ski Sensor System.
Stefan Kranzinger, Eva-Maria Flasch, Christina Kranzinger, Thomas Stöggl (2025): User Acceptance and Behavioral Impact of a Wearable Ski Sensor System. In: IEEE Access
The integration of wearable sensor technology into recreational alpine skiing has the potential to improve technique, engagement, and safety through real-time feedback. This study evaluates the usability and perceived benefits of the Connected Boot (CTD-Boot), a prototype system that assesses ski performance via cuff-mounted inertial measurement units and a mobile phone application. In a living-lab design with independent skiing at user-chosen resorts, data from 89 recreational skiers were collected. Using an adapted Technology Acceptance Model, we examined user acceptance, predictors of behavioral change, and the system’s potential for skill development. A random forest classifier predicting self-reported improvement achieved 60.9% accuracy with fair agreement (Cohen’s κ=0.378 ), and identified “perceived usefulness” and “ease of learning” as the strongest predictors. Qualitative feedback underscored the value of personalized, real-time insights. Overall, wearable systems such as the CTD-Boot can support skill enhancement when interaction is intuitive and information is actionable and enjoyable, offering clear implications for the design of digital coaching tools in skiing.
