Simulation analysis of a trick in skateboarding

Abstract

This study focuses on the mechanics of skateboarding. Skateboard has become so popular that it has been officially certified at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. There are many “tricks” in skateboarding. However, the tricks are acquired by the riders empirically. Its mechanical principle and conditions to succeed have not been clarified theoretically yet. In the present study, the mechanical principle and conditions to succeed of “Ollie”, which is one of the basic tricks, were clarified theoretically. For this purpose, the simulation model of skateboarding based on the multibody dynamics analysis was constructed. The motion of the rider was acquired by using a motion capture system. By inputting the acquired motions of the feet, Ollie was reproduced in the simulation. In addition, a parameter study was conducted to investigate the conditions to succeed. Regarding the principle, it was clarified that the upward momentum given to the skateboard by the kicking down of the right foot is preserved, and it is realized by switching the rotation direction of the skateboard with the left foot. In terms of conditions, it was found that more technical control is required when the kick angle is large, that the track mounting position has little effect, and that there are conditions in the movement of the left and right feet.