TPI Instructor - Gord Workum just wrote an article explaining in simple terms why 3D motion capture is better than 2D video (See previous article in this blog). Gord stated that 3D quantifies the motion of the golf swing objectively; this is true, but one might immediately think “But wait, I can measure distance and angles on a 2D video screen by drawing lines.” Yes, you can … [Read more...]
3D Is Better!
Here is an article written by Gord Workum; a Titleist Performance Institute Instructor on why 3D Motion Capture (and Analysis) is better than simple 2D video analysis with regard to the golf swing. I like it and I will follow up with another article adding my point of view. The only way to measure the efficiency of a golf swing is with 3D Motion Capture; with 2D one can just … [Read more...]
Trampoline and Tumbling: Extreme Gymnastics!
In December of last year my daughter Jennifer asked me to get her into tumbling. She cartwheels everywhere in the house and is more times upside-down than on her feet. So I finally enrolled her in a tumbling class. After two beginner sessions she was hooked and the coach immediately asked her to be in the “pre-team” class. At that point she told the coach “my Dad is an … [Read more...]
Variations in the Downswing Kinematic Sequence of Golf: Stretching, Riding, Fanning
Three methods of beginning the downswing kinematic sequence are explained; they are: Stretching: Proximal segment precedes the distal segment, stretching the muscles, putting them in eccentric contraction hence providing more force for later in the downswing. Riding: Proximal and distal segment turn at the same speed in the downswing, the muscles are in isometric … [Read more...]
How to Flip Fast using Conservation of Angular Momentum
I am currently teaching BIO 385 Sport and Exercise Biomechanics at National University in Carlsbad California. It’s an online course and we have a weekly discussion question. Last week it was on angular momentum. Here’s the question: The total angular momentum of a diver changes from zero to some high value during the takeoff phase. Miller and Munro (1985) reported that Greg … [Read more...]