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J Wrist Surg 2024; 13(03): 264-271
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1777024
Emerging Technologies and New Technological Concepts

Wrist Motion Assessment in Tennis Players using Three-Dimensional Motion Capture and Dynamic Electromyography

Jacqueline S. Israel
1   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Division of Hand Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
,
Stacy R. Loushin
2   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Division of Orthopedic Research, Mayo Clinic, Motion Analysis Laboratory, Rochester, Minnesota
,
Sabine U. Tetzloff
3   Racquet Sports Department, Rochester Athletic Club, Rochester, Minnesota
,
Todd Ellenbecker
4   Rehab Plus Sports Therapy Scottsdale, ATP Tour, Scottsdale, Arizona
,
Kenton R. Kaufman 
2   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Division of Orthopedic Research, Mayo Clinic, Motion Analysis Laboratory, Rochester, Minnesota
,
Sanjeev Kakar 
1   Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Division of Hand Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
› Author Affiliations Funding This study was supported by the United States Tennis Association Scientific Committee.
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Abstract

Background Tennis players often present with ulnar-sided wrist pain, which may reflect repetitive stress and/or faulty mechanics. There is a role for investigating the biomechanics of tennis strokes and how they may relate to wrist pathology. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether three-dimensional motion capture technology and dynamic electromyography (EMG), when used to study groundstrokes in elite junior tennis players, reveals patterns of upper extremity motion that may correlate with the development of clinically relevant pathology.

Case Description Three-dimensional kinematic and EMG data were collected from two United States Tennis Association-ranked adolescent tennis players during groundstrokes. There were several observed differences in the two players' degree and timing of pronation/supination, ulnar/radial deviation, and flexion/extension during their strokes.

Clinical Significance Advanced motion capture technology facilitates a nuanced understanding of complex movements involved in groundstroke production. This methodology may be useful for identifying athletes who are at risk for injury and guiding rehabilitation for players experiencing pain.

Level of Evidence IV

Keywords

tennis biomechanics - tennis injury - motion capture - tennis kinematics - wrist pain - sports injuries

Ethics Statement

The procedures followed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible committee on human experimentation (institutional and national) and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2000 and 2008.


Authors' Contributions

All the above-named authors were actively involved in the planning, enactment, and writing up of the study.


Ethical Approval

Not applicable.


Informed Consent

Written informed consent was obtained from all subjects prior to participating in the study.


Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 20 July 2022

Accepted: 20 October 2023

Article published online:
30 November 2023

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