抄録
In today’s world of competitive sports, objective analysis based on scientific data collection is gaining more and more importance for improving athletic prowess. However, capturing and scrutinizing table tennis dynamics through video analysis is challenging because of the diminutive size of the ball and the rapid pace of rallies compared to other ball-based sports. Therefore, the authors are in the process of developing a system designed to harness a microphone’s capabilities to collect quantitative insights such as the drop position of the table tennis ball and the point of impact between the racket and the ball. The aim of this study is to essentially analyze the distribution pattern of the ball. By measuring vibrations of the ball using a microphone, the estimated position of the ball can be derived through time differentials. This approach extends to measuring the impact position of the ball on the ping-pong table, offering a three-dimensional snapshot of the racket and ball interaction. As a preliminary step in developing a system that delivers precise quantitative values, the authors verified the estimation of ball drop positions and racket impact locations during free falls as well as rallies. It was noted that the error margin for estimating free-fall position ranged approximately from 1 to 4 cm. During rally tests, there was almost no error in the descent position, similar to free fall scenarios. However, the racket impact position exhibited an error of approximately 10 to 20 cm, indicating that it is possible to roughly determine the position. Going forward, the system has to be refined to bolster its usefulness as a real-time tactical analysis tool, enhancing its capability to provide instantaneous estimations of position.
