Wearable Air Damper Device to Promote Elbow Utilization in Table Tennis Backhand Movement

Abstract

Beginners in table tennis often rely on their wrists rather than their elbows when executing backhand strokes. Since both wrist and elbow movements contribute to hand control, it is anticipated that restricting wrist movement will encourage greater use of the elbow. In this study, we developed a wearable device designed to restrict wrist movement as a training tool to promote elbow-utilized swings. To ensure that the device does not interfere with other movements, it was designed to be lightweight and to engage its restraining effect only during rapid wrist movements, utilizing an air damper mechanism. We conducted a comparative experiment involving trials with and without the device to assess its effectiveness in enhancing elbow use following training. The findings indicated that training with the device led to a significant restriction of wrist movement and a corresponding increase in elbow use, suggesting that the device effectively encouraged the desired motor adaptation.