Development of a randomness training system to improve golf putting performance

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K12643
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Sports science
• Research Institution: Shinshu University
• Principal Investigator: PATAKY Todd 信州大学, 学術研究院繊維学系, 准教授 (70571272)
• Research Collaborator: Peter Lamb University of Otago, School of Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences, Lecturer ; Mario Lafortune Nike Golf, Director of Innovation
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: バイオメカニクス / ヒト運動学 / パーチャルトレーニング

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This research produced (1) a real-time random physics computation engine and (2) a virtual 3D environment in which golfers could train putt strategy using physically realistic, partially random ball rolling movements. Along with research collaborators at Otago University (New Zealand) and Nike Golf (USA) we used this system to test whether virtual randomness training could improve real putting performance. We found small putting score improvements and also a stronger there was a stronger behavioral response. In particular, subjects who trained in randomness reacted less strongly to random results than did control subjects. These was presented orally at the World Scientific Congress of Golf (St. Andrews, Scotland, July 18--22, 2016). We are currently repeating the experiment with high-performing amateur golfers.

Free Research Field

スポーツ・バイオメカニクス