A new device for measuring forces in the footrest during on-water kayaking

Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part P Journal of Sports Engineering and Technology ◽

10.1177/17543371211016983 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 175433712110169

Author(s):

Kent K Klitgaard ◽

John Hansen ◽

Mark de Zee

Keyword(s):

Data Acquisition ◽

Data Acquisition System ◽

Sprint Performance ◽

Acquisition System ◽

New Device ◽

Water Testing ◽

Load Cells

Several studies have investigated paddle force on the water. However, a limited number of studies have investigated on-water footrest forces. The purpose of this study was to design, implement, and validate a device which measures forces applied to the footrest during on-water kayaking without hindering the athletes’ performance. A Nelo footrest was modified and equipped with two load cells. The footrest was calibrated by loading it with known weights perpendicular to the surface of the footrest. A portable custom-built data acquisition system was built. The data acquisition system was placed in a box behind the seat in the kayak. The system was able to measure the paddling technique related to the legs during on-water testing and distinguish between different intensities. The system developed in the current study can help to improve kayak sprint performance in new ways, as the system elucidates forces within the kayak. Moreover, the system can provide clarification of the biomechanical aspects of the leg push during sprint kayaking.

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Load cells calibration with a low cost data acquisition system

Revista Brasileira de Física Tecnológica Aplicada ◽

10.3895/rbfta.v6n1.10125 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Pedro Leineker Ochoski Machado ◽

Luis Vitorio Gulineli Fachini ◽

Vitor Otávio Ochoski Machado ◽

Romeu Miqueias Szmoski ◽

Thiago Antonini Alves

Keyword(s):

Data Acquisition ◽

Calibration Curve ◽

Applied Load ◽

Low Cost ◽

Data Acquisition System ◽

Acquisition System ◽

Voltage Variation ◽

Load Cells ◽

In Series ◽

Measurement Uncertainties

In the present work, an experimental analysis was performed to obtain the calibration curve of three load cells connected in series. The control of the load applied on a given component is an important factor in some engineering applications, for example, in cases where it is desired to increase the heat exchange between two surfaces. One of the ways to control the applied load is the use of load cells, which has as its principle of use a strain gauge that has its resistance varied when it undergoes a deformation, thus causing a voltage variation due to the application of load. This study used an ArduinoTM microcontroller as a data acquisition system and blocks with known mass for load application. In this way it was possible to obtain the calibration curve of the load cells by means of linear regression between the mass of the blocks and the data obtained by the ArduinoTM microcontroller and verify their applicability according to their measurement uncertainties.

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