Wearable Device to Inhibit Wrist Dorsiflexion for Improving Movement Form in Table Tennis Backhand

Proper movement form is crucial in sports. However, novices often struggle to achieve it without proper guidance. While current engineering research has introduced devices to facilitate necessary movements, our research explores the potential of a device that eliminates unnecessary movement. We developed a wearable device to restrict wrist dorsiflexion during table tennis backhand motion. In this study, experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of the device and compare the teaching of movements by the device with verbal instruction. Novice table tennis players were divided into three groups for our experiments: the experimental group used the device, the oral group received verbal instructions to minimize wrist movement, and the control group received neither the device nor verbal guidance. Each group consisted of four participants. Comparative analysis among the groups revealed that three out of four participants in the experimental group tended to suppress their wrist motion and utilize their elbows while using the device. Furthermore, upon removing the device, these three participants also tended to suppress wrist motion and utilize their elbows, indicating enhanced movement form. In contrast, the oral group demonstrated suppressed wrist movement during instruction, yet tended to underutilize elbow movement. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the use of our device contributed to a proper movement form.