Sports Science: The Biomechanics of a Tennis Forehand
Published by Daniel Lewis (Featured Columnist) on April 10, 2012.
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The primary objective of this research investigation was to analyze the translational kinematics of a tennis forehand.
For one, it sought to demonstrate the temporal points of the forehand motion at which the wrist speed and racket head speed are at a maximum. Ideally, these speed values should peak when the tennis ball is in contact with the racket, but they were found to be actually slightly before or after contact, on the order of milliseconds. In addition, the project intended to measure the fraction of kinetic energy transferred from the moving racket to |
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the tennis ball after performing a forehand. It was determined that only 52% of kinetic energy is transferred from the racket head to the ball, elucidating that the tennis forehand is a semi-elastic collision.
Lastly, the project attempted to measure the speed of a tennis player’s forehand and compare it to that of players of different skill levels, ultimately showing that my forehand speed was slightly above that of a high school player.
Supplementary topics discussed include the five steps of the forehand motion, the muscles used and the “kinetic chain of events” during this complex motion, and the role of Bernoulli’s Law in the physics of topspin.
Lastly, the project attempted to measure the speed of a tennis player’s forehand and compare it to that of players of different skill levels, ultimately showing that my forehand speed was slightly above that of a high school player.
Supplementary topics discussed include the five steps of the forehand motion, the muscles used and the “kinetic chain of events” during this complex motion, and the role of Bernoulli’s Law in the physics of topspin.