Influence of Instructions Using Onomatopoeia on One-Handed Handball Grasp

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of onomatopoeic instructions―commonly used in sports coaching―on one-handed handball grasping actions. To this end, a handball embedded with a force sensing resistor (FSR) was developed. In the experiment, undergraduate and graduate students were instructed to grasp the ball using phrases that each included a specific onomatopoeic expression, such as “Hold it tightly, like ‘Gu’.” The force applied to the FSR on the ball’s outer surface by the thumb during grasping was measured for each type of onomatopoeic instruction. Additionally, participants’ subjective interpretations of each onomatopoeia were collected via questionnaire. The results demonstrated quantitative differences in grasping actions as well as individual variations in the interpretation of onomatopoeia. These findings underscore the importance of quantifying and visualizing individual differences in the interpretation of instructions and physical expression in sports coaching.