Background

David got his Masters degree in mechanical engineering in 2010 and his Licentiate of Technology degree at the Mid Sweden University with the thesis “Optimized Pacing Strategies in Cross-Country Skiing and Time-Trial Road Cycling” in 2013. David received his Degree of Doctor in 2016 by defending his thesis "Numerical Optimization of Pacing Strategies in Locomotive Endurance Sports". Since then, he has continued his research at the Department of Quality Technology, Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics.

Area of interest

The study of performance in endurance sport has several different subfields. One of them is pacing strategy, where the fundamentals of mechanical laws along with physiological understanding form its elementary insights. Pacing strategy along with technological development for performance enhancement, is David’s main research interests.

Current research

His research is focused on the optimization of pacing strategy in locomotive endurance sports with a special focus on numerical modelling and numerical optimization. The main research question is: How may an athlete vary speed along the course in order to reach the finish line in the shortest time possible? When it comes to endurance sports there are several different factors influencing the optimal layout of a pacing scheme. Therefore, the research question is reformulated into several sub problems that investigates the impact of each factor at a time. These factors include bioenergetics, course profile, cornering, ambient wind etc. The ultimate goal is to develop models that can assist athletes in their pacing considerations while racing.

Teaching and tutoring

David is in charge of several courses on the Mid Sweden University’s bachelor programs in sports technology and mechanical engineering. He is involved in the teaching of the following courses:
Biomechanics, 7.5 credits
Classical mechanics, 7.5 credits
Applied biomechanics, 7.5 credits
Mechanics of materials, 7.5 credits
Structural optimization, 7.5 credits
Introduction to sports technology, 7.5 credits
Introduction to mechanical engineering, 7.5 credits
Design and virtual prototypes II, 7.5 credits
Design communication, 7.5 credits

Publications

Articles in journals
Chapters in books
Conference papers
Doctoral theses, comprehensive summaries
Licentiate theses, comprehensive summaries

Articles in journals

Sundström, D. (2016). On a bioenergetic four compartment model for human exercise. Sports Engineering, vol. 19: 4, pp. 251-263.  

Sundström, D. (2016). Anpassa farten för snabbare tider. Svensk Idrottsforskning,  

Sundström, D. , Carlsson, P. & Tinnsten, M. (2014). Comparing bioenergetic models for the optimisation of pacing strategy in road cycling. Sports Engineering, vol. 17: 4, pp. 207-215.    

Sundström, D. , Carlsson, P. , Ståhl, F. & Tinnsten, M. (2013). Numerical optimization of pacing strategy in cross-country skiing. Structural and multidisciplinary optimization (Print), vol. 47: 6, pp. 943-950.    

Chapters in books

Carlsson, P. , Ainegren, M. , Tinnsten, M. , Sundström, D. , Esping, B. , Koptioug, A. & Bäckström, M. (2015). Cross-Country Ski. In The Engineering Approach to Winter Sports. Springer. pp. 107-152.  

Conference papers

Bäckström, M. , Carlsson, P. , Danvind, J. , Koptioug, A. , Sundström, D. & Tinnsten, M. (2016). A New Wind Tunnel Facility Dedicated to Sports Technology Research and Development. In Procedia Engineering. (Procedia Engineering). pp. 62--67.    

Sundström, D. , Bäckström, M. , Carlsson, P. & Tinnsten, M. (2015). Optimal distribution of power output and braking for corners in road cycling. Paper presented at the Science and Cycling, Utrecht 1-2 July 2015  

Sundström, D. , Bäckström, M. , Carlsson, P. & Tinnsten, M. (2015). A four compartment model on human exercise bioenergetics. In Procedia Engineering. (Procedia Engineering). pp. 4--9.    

Sundström, D. , Tinnsten, M. & Carlsson, P. (2014). The influence of course bends on pacing strategy in road cycling. In Conference Proceedings of The Engineering of Sport 10. (Procedia Engineering). pp. 835--840.    

Sundström, D. , Carlsson, P. & Tinnsten, M. (2013). On Optimization of Pacing Strategy in Road Cycling. In 6TH ASIA-PACIFIC CONGRESS ON SPORTS TECHNOLOGY (APCST). Melbourne : (Procedia Engineering). pp. 118--123.  

Sundström, D. , Carlsson, P. & Tinnsten, M. (2011). Optimizing pacing strategies on a hilly track in cross-country skiing. In Procedia Engineering. (Procedia engineering). pp. 10--16.    

Doctoral theses, comprehensive summaries

Sundström, D. (2016). Numerical optimization of pacing strategies in locomotive endurance sports. Dis. (Comprehensive summary) Östersund : Mid Sweden University, 2016 (Mid Sweden University doctoral thesis : 237)  

Licentiate theses, comprehensive summaries

Sundström, D. (2013). Optimized Pacing Strategies in Cross-Country Skiing and Time-Trial Road Cycling. Lic. (Comprehensive summary) Östersund : Mid Sweden University, 2013 (Mid Sweden University licentiate thesis : 95)