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Biomechanical Analysis of a Bowling Swing
Abstract
The general objective of this study was to investigate biomechanical characteristics of bowling swing using three-dimensional cinematography. This study focused specifically on movements of the upper body segments during a bowling swing. Eight elite female bowling players participated in this study. Subjects performed bowling swing and their performance was sampled at 60 frame/sec using two high-speed video cameras with a synchronizer. After digitizing images from two cameras, the two-dimensional coordinates were used to produce three-dimensional coordinates of the 12 body segments (20 joint reference makers). The obtained three-dimensional coordinates were fed to a custom-written kinematic and kinetic analyses program (LabView 6.1, National Instrument, Austin, TX, USA). The analyses determined the linear and angular kinematic variables of the body segments with which joint force and torque of the lower and upper trunks and the shoulder were estimated based on the Newton-Euler equations. It was found that during the bowling swing the peak linear velocities of the body segments were reached in sequence the trunk, the shoulder, the elbow, the wrist, and the bowl. This result indicates that linear momentum of the lower body and the trunk transmits to the arm segment during the bowling swing. The joint torques of the torso and the arm occurred almost simultaneously, indicating that bowling swing seem to be a push-like motion, rather than a proximal-distal sequence motion in which many of throwing motions are categorized. The ultimate objective of the bowling swing is to release a heavy-weight bowl with power and consistency. Therefore, the bowling swing observed in this study well agrees with that bowlers use the stepping to increase the linear velocity of the bowl, the simple pendulum system and the push-like segmental motion in the torso and the arm segment to enhance the power at the release of the bowl.
... The collected data were labeled by Phases through the review of four researchers. Previous studies reported that the linear speed of the ball and wrist was highest between the backswing top and release Phases in bowling (Lee, 2006). Therefore, the speed in the surrounding Phases of release, including forward swing, release, and follow swing, was analyzed. ...
... The Z component, representing the direction of progression in bowling actions, showed the highest mean linear speed at release, measured at 6.474. Previous studies reported a sharp increase in linear speed during the forward swing phase between the backswing and release, with the highest speed occurring at release, a trend also observed in our study (Lee et al., 2006). However, these studies did not use VR equipment and focused solely on female college students, highlighting the need for careful interpretation considering these differences. ...
This study explores the impact of Virtual Reality (VR) on leisure sports, focusing on the analysis of motion data in VR bowling among adults aged 19-38. Acknowledging the gap in research regarding physical movement characteristics in VR sports, this work aims to contribute to the ergonomic development of VR leisure content for diverse generations. Using the Vive Pro Eye HMD, Vive Tracker 3.0, and the C2 Plus omnidirectional VR treadmill, we captured detailed three-dimensional position and velocity data. The Unity software facilitated motion data collection, while Python was employed for the analysis, particularly concentrating on the velocity features of the dominant hand controller. The analysis revealed that the Z component of velocity reached its highest mean linear speed at 6.474 during the release phase, aligning with the dynamics of traditional bowling yet underscoring VR's distinctive experience. Conclusively, the findings highlight VR's potential to enrich leisure sports, urging broader research across various VR sports contents and demographics. This pursuit is vital for understanding biomechanical and physical human factors in VR, paving the way for technologies that mitigate generational physical differences and foster the development of accessible, enjoyable VR leisure content for all ages.
... The results of this study showed that strong handgrip strength is determined by the stature of PEDAGOGY Along the movement and approaches, a bowler would carry a heavy bowling ball to knock down the pins as much as possible by generating a lot of momentum using these heavy bowling balls and releasing them accurately [14]. When the joint torques of the torso and the arm moved together, it indicated that the bowling ball was in a push-like motion [15]. The study also agreed that bowlers used the steps to increase the linear velocity, simple pendulum, and torques in the torso and the arm to enhance the power at the release of the bowl. ...
Background and Study Aim. Established studies show that athletes with longer fingers and broader hand surfaces have more muscular grips. Therefore, some research studies have examined various contributing factors and anthropometric characteristics. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of hand dimensions and selected anthropometric characteristics on handgrip strength in recreational tenpin bowlers. Material and Methods. This cross-sectional study recruited 32 (12 females, 20 males) healthy Malaysian recreational tenpin bowlers from Kuala Lumpur. Their anthropometric characteristics including height, weight, body mass index (BMI), the dimensions of the right hand, and age were measured accordingly. Handgrip strength was assessed using a Takei 5401 Grip D (Digital Grip Dynamometer) with 3 trials for both hands. A Pearson correlation coefficient and multiple regression analysis were used to study the relationship between the parameters. Results. The body height and the minimum breadth of the right hand had a significant impact on handgrip strength among recreational tenpin bowlers. There was a significant difference between males and females in left and right handgrip strength (p<0.05). Males showed a greater handgrip strength compared to females in both hands’ strength. Body height (p = 0.00) and the minimum breadth of the hand (p = 0.03) were found to be significantly correlated with the handgrip strength thus indicating the two variables as strong predictors of handgrip strength. Conclusions. This study confirms that there is a relationship between anthropometric characteristics and handgrip strength in Malaysian recreational tenpin bowlers. Hence, it will be a great note for new bowlers to advance their bowling performance.
Experiments were conducted on normal level gait to determine the synergistic patterns present in the forces causing joint moments and those associated with the generation, absorption and transfer of mechanical energy. The following generalizations can be made about the patterns: (i) During swing phase three forces (gravitational, muscle and knee joint acceleration) are responsible for shank rotation, and are shown to act together during both acceleration and deceleration.—(ii) The patterns of generation, absorption and transfer of mechanical energy at the joints are detailed. These patterns demonstrate inter-segment transfers of energy through the joint centres, and through the muscles, as well as the more recognized generation and absorption by the muscles themselves.—As a result of the complexity shown in these patterns it is cautioned that fundamental relationships that may have been derived from controlled biomechanical experiments (such as horizontal flexion and extension of the forearm) are not likely to apply to more normal movements such as gait.
On motor tasks like the overarm throw, velocity and accuracy are two important parameters of performance that may be incompatible and require different strategies in the execution of the motor task. The purpose was to investigate the effects of instruction (emphasizing velocity, accuracy, or both) on performance and kinematics of overarm throwing. Results for 9 experienced male team handball players (M age = 24 +/- 2.2 yr.) showed type of instruction affected the maximal ball velocity. The difference in ball velocity reflected the significant difference in maximal linear velocity of the wrist, elbow, and hip segments together with their absolute timing before ball release. The subjects did not seem to change their throwing technique, i.e., the relative timing of movement initiation of the different body segments.
Previous studies on overarm throwing have described a proximal-to-distal segmental sequence. The proximal segments reached their maximal linear velocities before the distal ones. In handball, no study has demonstrated this sequence from the upper torso to the wrist, although a recent study did present a different organization. The aim of this study was to analyse the throwing arm segmental organization during handball throwing. We found that the maximal linear velocity of the shoulder occurred after the maximal linear velocity of the elbow. Moreover, the maximal angular velocity of the upper torso occurred later than that of the elbow. Hence, contrary to other disciplines, the rotation of the upper torso was not suddenly stopped just after the forward arm motion was initiated. These results may apply to handball in general or be specific to the population of handball players studied. It may be advisable in future studies to include international players.
Fastball pitches of eight intercollegiate varsity baseball pitchers were filmed using the direct linear transformation (DLT) method of three-dimensional cinematography. Coordinate data were obtained, and the resultant joint forces and torques at the shoulder and elbow joints were calculated. Various kinematic parameters were also calculated to help describe the motions of the shoulder and elbow joints throughout the pitch. At the instant of stride foot contact, a horizontal adduction torque was present at the shoulder joint, and the shoulder was externally rotating. After the onset of the horizontal adduction torque, abduction and internal rotation torques were also present at the shoulder joint and a varus torque was present at the elbow joint. After the instant of maximum external rotation (30 ms prior to ball release), the upper arm started to internally rotate, but it was still in a position of external rotation at the instant of release. This paper discusses the roles of the torques in producing the ...
Fastball pitches of eight collegiate baseball pitchers were filmed using the Direct Linear Transformation (DLT) method of three-dimensional (3D) cinematography. Coordinate data were obtained, and the model developed by Feltner and Dapena (1989) was used to fractionate the 3D angular acceleration of the upper arm and distal segment (the forearm, the hand, and prior to release, the baseball) of the throwing arm into terms associated with the joint torques exerted on the segments and the kinematic variables used to define the motions of the segments. The findings indicated that the extreme external rotation of the upper arm during the pitch was due mainly to the sequential actions of the horizontal adduction and abduction muscles at the shoulder. The study also found that the rapid elbow extension prior to ball release was due primarily to the counterclockwise angular velocity of the upper arm and trunk (viewed from above) that occurred during the pitch, and not to the elbow extensor muscles.
Previous researchers studying baseball pitching have compared kinematic and kinetic parameters among different types of pitches, focusing on the trunk, shoulder, and elbow. The lack of data on the wrist and forearm limits the understanding of clinicians, coaches, and researchers regarding the mechanics of baseball pitching and the differences among types of pitches. The purpose of this study was to expand existing knowledge of baseball pitching by quantifying and comparing kinematic data of the wrist and forearm for the fastball (FA), curveball (CU) and change-up (CH) pitches. Kinematic and temporal parameters were determined from 8 collegiate pitchers recorded with a four-camera system (200 Hz). Although significant differences were observed for all pitch comparisons, the least number of differences occurred between the FA and CH. During arm cocking, peak wrist extension for the FA and CH pitches was greater than for the CU, while forearm supination was greater for the CU. In contrast to the current study, previous comparisons of kinematic data for trunk, shoulder, and elbow revealed similarities between the FA and CU pitches and differences between the FA and CH pitches. Kinematic differences among pitches depend on the segment of the body studied.
The purpose of the study was to examine the resultant joint forces (RJFs/and torques (RJTs) at the shoulder, elbow, and wrist during penalty throws and determine the relationships between muscle actions and motions of the throwing arm. Subjects with an overhand (OH) throwing technique created larger maximal and average RJTs at the shoulder and elbow compared to subjects with a sweep (SW) technique (Feltner and Nelson, 1996). Prior to release, OH technique subjects decreased their abduction torque and created adduction torques at the shoulder. Adduction torques and downward vertical motion of the trunk, together with an internal rotation torque at the shoulder, resulted in large internal rotation angular velocities at release for the OH technique subjects. The SW technique subjects did not exhibit these technique characteristics. Additionally, throwing technique exhibited a moderate but positive relationship with several chest, upper arm, and forearm circumference measures. Findings suggest that muscular strength may be a causal determinant of technique style.
Twelve collegiate football quarterbacks were videotaped while performing drop back passes. The video images were digitized using a Peak Performance system, and three-dimensional (3-D) kinematic and kinetic data were calculated from the 3-D coordinate data using standard analytical procedures. The sequential timing of peak shoulder torques in the delivery for the football throw was peak abduction torque prior to the point of maximum shoulder external rotation (MER), peak internal rotation torque just after MER, and peak horizontal adduction torque just prior to release. As anticipated, large medial deviation torques at the elbow were found in the acceleration phase. However, in many cases the quarterbacks demonstrated larger elbow lateral deviation torques during the follow-through than found in the acceleration phase. This paper will describe these and other kinetic results and the kinematic findings observed during the football pass.
The purpose was to compute the instantaneous contributions of anatomical rotations of the trunk, upper arm, forearm, and hand to ball speed and to quantify the three-dimensional angular kinematics of the trunk and throwing arm during water polo penalty throws. The largest contributors to predicted ball speed (v(B))' at release were forearm extension and a counterclockwise twisting rotation of the trunk. Upper arm internal rotation contribution to (v(B))' at release was highly variable and exhibited a significant inverse relationship with the upper arm horizontal adduction contribution to (v(B))' at release (r = -.70). Subjects with large internal rotation contributions to (v(B))' tended to have the upper arm in positions of less external rotation, but internally rotating at a faster rate, at release. Subjects with large upper arm horizontal adduction contributions to (v(B))' exhibited a trend for faster rates of upper arm horizontal adduction and positions of increased forearm pronation at release. Findings suggest that a continuum of technique styles are used by water polo players to produce ball speed at release.
With injuries to the components of the extensor apparatus of the knee as a background, it is interesting to investigate the magnitude of forces acting on these components, i.e. m. quadriceps femoris, the quadriceps tendon, patella, lig. patellae and tuberositas tibiae, during a vigorous but physiological movement. By means of the dynamic laws of mechanics the muscular moment of force with respect to the bilateral knee axis during kicking was calculated in 6 normal subjects. It was found that the maximum extending muscular moment in the knee occurs very early in the movement, when the initial flexion changes into extension, and thus long before the ball is hit. The peak of quadriceps EMG activity coincides with maximum moment. The EMG peak of the antagonistically acting hamstrings comes later, nearer to when the ball is struck. The greatest extending muscular moment obtained during the swing phase of kicking was surprisingly high, 260 Nm, corresponding to a tension force in the patellar tendon of 5200 N or about 7 times body weight. These values are discussed in relation to tendon strength.
One female sprinter was filmed at the 100-m mark (speed 6.5 m X S-1) of a 400-m run. Four moments occurring at each end of the thigh and shank segments during lower-limb recovery were calculated. These were: proximal and distal net muscle moments, a moment due to proximal joint accelerative force and, a moment due to distal joint-force resulting from motion and inertia of the distal connected segment. Individual contributions of each moment to segmental angular displacement were calculated by double integration, and angular velocity at toe-off was multiplied by time to yield its contribution. Contributions of the proximal muscle moments throughout recovery were 21 rad and 7.5 rad for the thigh and shank segments, respectively. Such large angular displacements did not occur because the three remaining moments opposed the proximal muscle moment. These large moments are mutually offsetting and interactive, acceleration of proximal joints provides a substantial moment during contralateral stance, and segmental angular velocity at toe-off is a significant contributor. Consequently, a phenomenon producing a change in any moment (e.g. muscular fatigue, slippery surface) will require modification of other moments for angular displacement to be maintained within reasonable limits.
This paper is an investigation of the relationship between resultant joint torques and in vivo muscular activity. This relationship is currently inaccessible by direct experimental measurements due to the limited usefulness of electromyographic (EMG) data to indicate muscle force reliably and to proscriptions and experimental difficulties related to in vivo measurements on human subjects. The standard indirect method for inferring information about this relationship, using model studies in conjunction with temporal EMG data, is discussed. Key assumptions incorporated in these model studies, which lead to values for the joint force and torque resultants, are reviewed. The general distribution problem is formulated, and key assumptions associated with generating the simplified distribution problem that governs muscle activity are described. Two basically different methods for solving the simplified distribution problem and therefore determining the approximate relationship between resultant joint torques and muscular activity, including methods that attempt to account for the effect of antagonistic muscular activity, are discussed.
A mathematical representation of the human leg during the swing phase of gait was developed. The modelling procedure employed variables which were known to be clinically significant physical, anatomical and physiological features influencing the gait pattern. These included: limitations in joint range of motion, alterations in the initial conditions of swing, changes in joint trajectories and changes in the inertial properties of the limb segments. The model implemented was such that these parameters could be independently varied to assess their relative importance in either normal gait, or in pathological gait and its correction. Using this approach, quantitative clinical data was incorporated into the mathematical description so that a better understanding of normal and pathological gait could be achieved.
Proper throwing mechanics may enable an athlete to achieve maximum performance with minimum chance of injury. While quantifiable differences do exist in proper mechanics for various sports, certain similarities are found in all overhand throws. One essential property is the utilisation of a kinetic chain to generate and transfer energy from the larger body parts to the smaller, more injury-prone upper extremity. This kinetic chain in throwing includes the following sequence of motions: stride, pelvis rotation, upper torso rotation, elbow extension, shoulder internal rotation and wrist flexion. As each joint rotates forward, the subsequent joint completes its rotation back into a cocked position, allowing the connecting segments and musculature to be stretched and eccentrically loaded. Most notable is the external rotation of the shoulder, which reaches a maximum value of approximately 180 degrees. This biomechanical measurement is a combination of true glenohumeral rotation, trunk hyperextension and scapulothoracic motion. Near the time of maximum shoulder external rotation (ERmax), shoulder and elbow musculature eccentrically contract to produce shoulder internal rotation torque and elbow varus torque. Both the shoulder and the elbow are susceptible to injury at this position. At ball release, significant energy and momentum have been transferred to the ball and throwing arm. After ball release, a kinetic chain is used to decelerate the rapidly moving arm with the entire body. Shoulder and elbow muscles produce large compressive forces to resist joint distraction. Both joints are susceptible to injury during arm deceleration.
Bowling Steps to success
- R H Strickland
- R H Strickland