Enhancing relay exchange efficiency through smart relay baton and multisensor wearable technology

Cahyo Yuwono; Adi S.; Pangondian Hotliber Purba; Himmatul Ulya; Vina Oktaviani; Khoiril Anam; Hilmy Aliriad; Indra Ramadhan

doi:10.15561/26649837.2026.0509

Authors

Cahyo Yuwono Universitas Negeri Semarang https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3169-022X
Adi S. Universitas Negeri Semarang https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8450-2005
Pangondian Hotliber Purba Universitas Negeri Medan https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4538-359X
Himmatul Ulya Universitas Negeri Semarang https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4835-3398
Vina Oktaviani Universitas Negeri Jakarta https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4174-4770
Khoiril Anam Universitas Negeri Semarang https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2518-1592
Hilmy Aliriad Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Sunan Giri https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7287-6429
Indra Ramadhan Universitas Negeri Semarang https://orcid.org/0009-0000-4332-8522

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15561/26649837.2026.0509

Keywords:

relay exchange efficiency, wearable sensors, Internet of Things (IoT), sprint relay, real-time feedback, temporal synchronization

Abstract

Background and Study Aim. Relay sprint performance depends heavily on efficient baton exchange and precise coordination between incoming and outgoing runners. Conventional relay training typically relies on coach observation and technical feedback, whereas sensor-based technologies can provide objective information on movement timing and synchronization. Despite the use of these different approaches, their relative effectiveness in improving relay exchange efficiency remains of practical interest. This study evaluated the effects of a Smart Relay Baton integrated with multisensor wearable technology on relay exchange performance compared with conventional relay training. Materials and Methods. This pragmatic assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial involved 96 sprint relay athletes from regional athletics training centers in Central Java, Indonesia. Athletes were randomly allocated to an intervention group using the Smart Relay Baton system (n = 48) or a control group receiving conventional relay training (n = 48). The intervention lasted eight weeks. The system integrated accelerometer-based motion tracking, multisensor wearable monitoring, and MQTT-based IoT synchronization to provide real-time coordination analytics. Primary outcomes included transition time, synchronization delay, and Relay Exchange Efficiency Score (REES). Secondary outcomes included entry speed, acceleration, heart-rate response, and rating of perceived exertion. Results. The intervention group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in transition time (−0.18 s), synchronization delay (−0.12 s), and REES (+4.8 points) than the control group (all p < .05). Synchronization delay was the strongest predictor of REES (r = −0.58, p < .01), exceeding the contributions of entry speed and physiological variables, suggesting that temporal coordination represents the primary mechanism underlying relay exchange efficiency. Conclusions. The proposed Smart Relay Baton system integrates wearable sensing and real-time analytics to support coordination-oriented motor learning rather than performance monitoring alone. This approach provides a promising evidence-based framework for relay coaching and future wearable-assisted sprint training interventions.

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Author Biographies

Cahyo Yuwono, Universitas Negeri Semarang

cahyoyuwono@mail.unnes.ac.id; Physical Education Department; Semarang, Indonesia.

Adi S., Universitas Negeri Semarang

adis@mail.unnes.ac.id; Physical Education Department; Semarang, Indonesia.

Pangondian Hotliber Purba, Universitas Negeri Medan

pangondianpurba@unimed.ac.id; Faculty of Sport Sciences; Medan, Indonesia.

Himmatul Ulya, Universitas Negeri Semarang

himmaulya@mail.unnes.ac.id; Computer Science Department; Semarang, Indonesia.

Vina Oktaviani, Universitas Negeri Jakarta

vinaoktaviani@unj.ac.id; Electronics Engineering Vocational and Education Program, Electrical Engineering; Jakarta, Indonesia.

Khoiril Anam, Universitas Negeri Semarang

khoiril.ikor@mail.unnes.ac.id; Sport Science Department; Semarang, Indonesia.

Hilmy Aliriad, Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Sunan Giri

hilmy@unugiri.ac.id; Physical Education Department; Bojonegoro, Indonesia.

Indra Ramadhan, Universitas Negeri Semarang

indraramadhan@mail.unnes.ac.id; Department of Sport Coaching Education; Semarang, Indonesia.

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