Optimization of the forearm angle for arm wrestling using multi-camera stereo digital image correlation: A preliminary study

Abstract

This study analyzes the function of different muscles during arm wrestling and proposes a method to analyze the optimal forearm angle for professional arm wrestlers. We built a professional arm-wrestling platform to measure the shape and deformation of the skin at the biceps brachii of a volunteer in vivo during arm wrestling. We observed the banding phenomenon of arm skin strain during muscle contraction and developed a model to evaluate the moment provided by the biceps brachii. According to this model, the strain field of the area of interest on the skin was measured, and the forearm angles most favorable and unfavorable to the work of the biceps brachii were analyzed. This study demonstrates the considerable potential of applying DIC and its extension method to the in vivo measurement of human skin and facilitates the use of the in vivo measurement of skin deformation in various sports in the future.

Keywords

• Arm wrestling
• Skin deformation measurement
• Multi-camera stereo digital image correlation
• Close-range photogrammetry
• Forearm angle