Application of wearable technologies for player motion analysis in racket sports: A systematic review

Abstract

The use of wearable devices for player motion analysis is becoming a popular method to measure kinematic parameters associated with player techniques in racket sports. This systematic review focused on identifying the current applications of wearable technology for player motion analysis in racket sports (tennis, table tennis, badminton and squash) through two research questions: (1) What are the existing applications of wearable technology for player motion analysis in racket sports? (2) What data analysis methods are used to quantify and evaluate player motion? A comprehensive search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, SPORTDiscus, Scopus, Web of Science, and IEEE databases was undertaken following PRISMA reporting guidelines. Included studies must have only used external wearable technology mounted to either the player or the racket for the potential application of player motion analysis in a racket sport, tested the wearable technology under normal playing conditions and not only focused on detecting/classifying the player's stroke or activity movement. Of the 6616 articles found, a total of 15 studies met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Tennis and table tennis were the most popular sports researched and inertial measurement units and electromyography sensors were the most common types of sensors used. This review found that wearable devices were mainly used to analyze (1) movement similarities and differences of players at different playing levels, (2) variability in racket, upper limb and joint movement patterns and (3) movement differences associated with different ball spin levels. These technologies can create a new level of accessible personalized training in these sports.

Comparison of Grip Strength, Forearm Muscle Activity, and Shock Transmission between the Forehand Stroke Technique of Experienced and Recreational Tennis Players Using a Novel Wearable Device

“…Kinematic motion analysis associated with each player's technique was successfully recorded for 40 players using TRAM-2. As compared to the recent work of Rigozzi, Vio [16], this current study included double the number of participants, and TRAM-2 recorded nearly three times the amount of kinematic data than did previous studies using wearable technology for player motion analysis in racket sports under realistic playing conditions. Using TRAM-2, we found that the level of playing experience, the preferred forehand grip position, and the level of spin with which the player hit the ball all have a significant influence on the player's racket face angle, racket head acceleration, grip strength, ECR activity, and shock transfer from the racket to the wrist and elbow during the forehand stroke.…”

“…However, this study only measured vibrations at the wrist and did not measure forearm muscle activity. It should also be noted that previous relevant review articles have focused on the biomechanics, grip style, and pressure during the forehand stroke [42], as well as the use of wearable technology for player motion analysis in racket sports under playing conditions [16].…”

“…In the past, biomechanics studies on the kinematic parameters of tennis player technique have relied on the use of laboratory confined motion capture systems (e.g., Kwon, Pfister [13], Loushin, Kakar [14], Ikenaga, Okuma [15]). Although optical motion Sensors 2023, 23, 5146 2 of 25 capture systems are widely accepted as the gold-standard for motion capture in sports biomechanics, due to their small size and portability, the use of wearable devices for player motion analysis is becoming an increasingly popular method to measure the kinematic parameters associated with player ball hitting technique in tennis [16].…”

“…The most common types of sensors used in these wearable devices are inertial measurement unit sensors (IMU) and electromyography sensors [16]. IMU sensors use a combination of accelerometers (acceleration), gyroscopes (angular velocity), and magnetometer sensors (magnetic forces) [17,18] and can be used for kinematic motion analysis in tennis [19].…”