By Camille Jacome

Faculty Mentor: Dr. Matthew Fleenor

Abstract

Volleyball is a competitive sport that relies on the upper body’s strength and flexibility, joined with coordinated biomechanics. The explosive dynamic movements performed during hitting involve both upper and lower body coordination. In this study, we examined the upper body coordination for the swing technique of collegiate athletes by collecting data from sensors on the deltoid/shoulder and the wrist. Reference frames were arranged with the natural body position and motion. Using time-lapsed rendering software that collected linear and angular quantities, we analyzed variability during the hitting movement. The data displayed the consistency of quantitative measures as a function of serve stage. In addition, it was observed that biomechanical consistency corresponded with longevity of practice. These findings serve as a first connection between physical measurements with serving mechanics. In the future, a larger dataset could lead to adjustments to a player’s habitual technique with comfortability evaluations as qualitative confirmation for biomechanical accuracy.