Bayesian optimization of discus flight distance for skill and equipment

Engineering of Sport 15 - Proceedings from the 15th International Conference on the Engineering of Sport (ISEA 2024)

Discus throw is a sport in which the athletes attempt to gain the maximum flight distance. Via an empirical learning process, athletes have explored the optimal launch conditions to maximize flight distance. On the other hand, the sizes of a discus are limited based on the regulation. Discus designers have explored empirically the optimal sizes of these values to attain the maximum flight distance within the limits of the regulation. Hubbard and Cheng previously carried out an optimization study based on aerodynamic data. Their optimization was carried out for three control variables, which were the flight path angle, pitch angle and the roll angle at launch. To truly optimize the discus’s sizes and corresponding launch conditions, it is necessary to optimize both the discus design and the launch conditions. In this paper, the theoretical optimal launch conditions and sizes for the men’s discus were revealed for the purpose of maximizing the flight distance. Both the theoretical skill of the athlete and the equipment designed by the engineer were optimized simultaneously