Efficacy of Softball Face Masks at Reducing Linear and Rotational Head Acceleration

This research study looked at the efficacy of infield softball face masks at reducing concussion risk. The primary goal of this research was to contrast head accelerations experienced during softball impacts for different brands of softball face masks. In order to achieve this goal, a surrogate headform equipped with different brands of face masks was impacted at a constant impact location and ball speed. The resulting headform accelerations (linear and rotational) were collected with a Vernier accelerometer upon each impact and analyzed. The results of the study showed that all tested brands of face masks were successful at reducing head acceleration severity. Moreover, significant differences in performance were observed between the different brands of face masks. One can conclude from this research that particular brands of face masks can more effectively reduce concussion risk because they better reduce head acceleration values. Due to the study results, softball players may have a better understanding of face mask performance, which could lead to higher mask implementation in the sport and an overall reduction in softball-related concussion occurrence.

Badminton Path Tracking Algorithm Based on Computer Vision and Ball Speed Analysis

With the development of artificial intelligence and the rapid development of the computer industry, the practicability of computer vision programs is gradually improved. In this paper, the badminton path tracking algorithm based on computer vision analyzes the badminton trajectory and speed. This paper is aimed at analyzing the image processing technology and path tracking algorithm by using computer vision to obtain relevant data and then exploring the factors of badminton path and ball speed transformation, which provides reference significance for badminton players in future training. The path tracking algorithm is used to predict the rotation angle, the ball speed, and the athlete’s body information during the badminton movement through sensors, and the position information of the moving target is captured based on the visual field tracking and target dynamic tracking. Combined with specific badminton players, we first analyze the angle of each limb and the speed of the racket in the process of movement and record the data. Determine different positioning points for different actions, such as pushing the ball, picking the ball, hooking the ball, and rubbing the hair. In this process, we aim at the connection between the highest point and the lowest point of the badminton trajectory and the ball speed. This process fully combines the theoretical knowledge of the path tracking algorithm. The experimental results show that different service skills have different effects on the trajectory and speed of badminton. In the test of relevant data by using the push and receive skills, the lowest point of the ball served by player A in the first three times is higher than that by player B. The most significant difference between the lowest points of the five times is the second time, with a difference of 0.2 m, and the third time, with a minimum difference of 0.03 m.

Analysing the Accuracy of Elite Amateur Golf Players during a Pre-tournament Wedge Test

Background: Previous studies identified a medium/strong relationship between the accuracy of wedge play and performance of professional golf players. However, there is a lack of research studies investigating which distance in wedge play has the strongest relationship to performance. Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the accuracy with wedges of elite amateur golfers and find out the relationship between accuracy from different distances and short and long-term performance. Methods: Ten elite golf players assessed accuracy across distances (45 – 85 m) with Trackman in a pre-tournament wedge test and afterward attended a three-round tournament. Results: Percentage error rate decreases (19.0% to 8.4%) with increasing distance, in addition, a significant difference in percentage error rate between 45 m distance and 85 m distance (p = 0.02) significant relation between percentage error rate and short term/long term performance indicators at 45 and 55 m. Conclusion: Distance control was significantly more difficult (more variable) than direction control with wedges. Significant difference between distances indicates greater difficulty in controlling distance over shorter distances played with wedges. Results show higher importance of accuracy with wedges on performance in shorter (45 and 55 m) versus longer (65, 75 and 85 m) distances. Players performed the stroke more consistently in terms of controlling key impact factors at longer distances, especially in regards to the club head speed, which, together with the ball speed, is the main determinant of the carry distance.

Individualised Ball Speed Prediction in Baseball Pitching Based on IMU Data

Ball velocity is considered an important performance measure in baseball pitching. Proper pitching mechanics play an important role in both maximising ball velocity and injury-free participation of baseball pitchers. However, an individual pitcher’s characteristics display individuality and may contribute to velocity imparted to the ball. The aim of this study is to predict ball velocity in baseball pitching, such that prediction is tailored to the individual pitcher, and to investigate the added value of the individuality to predictive performance. Twenty-five youth baseball pitchers, members of a national youth baseball team and six baseball academies in The Netherlands, performed ten baseball pitches with maximal effort. The angular velocity of pelvis and trunk were measured with IMU sensors placed on pelvis and sternum, while the ball velocity was measured with a radar gun. We develop three Bayesian regression models with different predictors which were subsequently evaluated based on predictive performance. We found that pitcher’s height adds value to ball velocity prediction based on body segment rotation. The developed method provides a feasible and affordable method for ball velocity prediction in baseball pitching.

Effect of using Weighted Balls on Performance Speed in Wheelchair Basketball Players

Summary The researchers seek to identify the impact of weighted balls on performance speed in wheelchair basketball players. An experimental method has been used in conformity with research nature between pre-tests and post-tests sample. The sample was selected by the intended manner and divided into two equal groups (10 players experimental sample, 10 players control sample) for the 2019/2020 sports season. A speed test (5 m and 20 m without ball), speed test (5 m and 20 m with ball) were used. After statistical treatment of the results, the researchers concluded: The weighted balls are important to develop performance speed in wheelchair basketball players, and the best improvement of the experimental group based on of weighted balls is marked comparing to the control group. A regular physical training with weighted balls is very important to improve of performance speed of persons with disabilities in basketball game.

Do Blood Lactate Levels Affect the Kinematic Patterns of Jump Shots in Handball?

The aim of this study was to determine whether the dynamic motor stereotype of movement (shooting technique) is violated under conditions of an increased lactate concentration in a player's blood after a 30–15 intermittent fitness test. The hypotheses was that there would be statistically significant differences in ball speed and shooting accuracy in jump shots on the goal before and after the occurrence of fatigue in the player. The sample of respondents consisted of 10 top-level handball players of the highest competition rank in Croatia. The results showed significant differences before and after the fatigue protocol in the run-up speed (F = 5.66; p = 0.02), in the maximum speed of the forearm (F = 5.85; p = 0.02) and the hand (F = 4.01; p = 0.04), in the speed in the shoulder joint (F = 5.39; p = 0.02) and wrist joint (F = 4.06; p = 0.04), and in the ball shooting speed (F = 5.42; p = 0.02). The accuracy of the shot was, on average, lower (36.20 vs. 33.17 cm) but not significantly so. High blood lactate levels affect changes in certain kinematic parameters during the performance of a jump shot in handball. Consequently, this reduces the speed of the shot, which can affect situational performance as one of the two significant parameters of scoring success.

CNN-LSTM Hybrid Model for Kinematic Feature Analysis and Parabolic Radian Prediction in Basketball Videos

With the improvement of living standards around the world, people's love for sports has also increased; basketball is especially loved by people. It is of great importance to provide sound motor instruction for basketball. To this end, this paper comprehensively investigates the dependence between the optimal release conditions and the corresponding shooting arm movements in basketball players. We carry out kinematic feature analysis of basketball sports videos, propose a hybrid CNN-LSTM model that can predict the arc of the shooting parry, and identify the key movements of the arm joint that produce optimal release velocity, angle, and backspin in short-, mid-, and long-range shots. The experiment demonstrates that the model has three rigid planar links with rotational joints that mimic the shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints of the upper arm, forearm, and hand, which are better at guiding the optimal ball release speed, angle, and backspin for different players with the fastest ball speed being about 4.6 m/s and the slowest being about 1.7 m/s.