Force measurement of sweeping on ice in curling

An examination of studies related to the sport of curling: a scoping review

“…Twelve studies solely explored the impact of sweeping in curling. Among these studies, variables of interest included: (1) muscle activity and force output alone and in tandem while performing the action ( 4 ); (2) stroke rate comparison between genders ( 4 , 62 ); (3) rates of change in stone displacement according to sweeping ( 4 , 70 ); (4) the effects of broom acceleration vs. force production on stone trajectory and heat transfer ( 2 , 70 ); (5) the development of instruments to gauge quantitative sweeping effects ( 64 , 66 , 67 ); (7) observing the topography and thermodynamics of ice surface when comparing different broom head material ( 61 , 65 , 68 ); and (8) assessing different cases of sweeping (e.g., the ideal time to initiate sweeping) ( 69 ).…”

“…Two conditional theories of sweeping were assessed across studies: (1) the thermomechanical theory, outlining variables of the velocity of sweeping stroke, the downward force applied, and the pattern that is swept as having an effect on the coefficient of friction ( 64 , 65 , 68 , 69 ); (2) the scratch mechanism of sweeping, measuring ice topography effects of sweeping; evaluating the brush head's effect on the ice surface, as well as the varying depth of scratches and the directional manipulation of the stone's trajectory ( 61 ).…”

“…Secondary assessment of curling ability was determined via off-ice athletic ability by measuring curlers' muscular endurance, trunk strength, aerobic capacity, and flexibility, correlating the physiological tests to on-ice performance ( 8 ). Studies published prior to the completion of the literature search, had not made any consideration of gender differences within the sport of curling with the exception of sweeping and delivery mechanics ( 4 , 62 , 64 ).…”

“…In addition, controversy still remains regarding the mechanisms of sweeping. Some studies support the thermodynamic theory, proposing that increased ice surface temperature produced through a combination of force and stroke speed lowers the coefficient of friction between the stone and ice ( 65 , 68 ). Others support the scratch mechanism of sweeping, proposing that the combination of sweeping force and sweeping rate manipulates rock trajectory through the production of topographic scratches as opposed to surface heat ( 61 ).…”

“…Differences across gender were considered in terms of sweeping and delivery mechanics. Men and women were compared with respect to muscle activity and force output when sweeping, as well as their sweeping effect on the lateral and longitudinal trajectory of the stone ( 4 , 62 , 64 ). Studies across the variable of sweeping concluded that both genders produce similar muscle activation patterns when sweeping and that men have a more significant sweeping impact, carrying the rock a further distance and extending the stone's deceleration ( 4 , 62 ).…”