Development of a push power measurement system for wheelchair track and field athletes

Abstract

To improve the attractiveness of wheelchair athletics itself by enhancing the athletic skills of wheelchair athletes, scientific analysis studies have been conducted. In this study, we report on the development of a system that can be used at actual training scenes by further improving the technology for measuring push power in detail. The sensor system has a 6-axis force sensor, an acceleration sensor, and an angular rate sensor. From the values of the 6-axis force sensor, the position of the center point of application of push pressure on the hand rim and the 3-axis force on the said point were calculated. To convert the calculated values into an absolute coordinate system, the rotation angle of the 6-axis force sensor in relation to the vertical direction was estimated from the acceleration sensor and angular rate sensor values. The estimated results were sectioned for each cycle, and the push power for each cycle was displayed in detail in graphs. Several athletes have already been measured using this system. It took about 60 minutes to prepare for the measurement. Trials lasting about 5 minutes were repeated a certain number of times, and then feedback was given to the athletes and coaches.