Method for producing comparison variables for the behaviour of different tennis rackets

摘要

In order to produce comparison variables for the behaviour of different tennis rackets from the point of view of the individual mechanical loading of the player, the player, whose playing wrist is fitted with an electrical accelerometer, uses each racket to play a number of balls, fed without rotation from a ball throwing machine, against a wall which is provided with an impact sensor. With each stroke, the maximum acceleration occurring on ball contact is measured quantitatively and the mean speed of departure of the ball is determined from the time difference between the ball contact and impact on the wall. The prescribed speed of arrival of the ball is then used to calculate the change in speed of the tennis ball effected by the stroke, and from the maximum acceleration of the wrist and the change in speed the quotient is determined separately for each racket as a measure of the relative level of the arm loading specific to the racket.