Moments imparted to be a bowling ball: Introducing continuous 3D moment vector diagrams for performance analysis

Abstract

Bowling, a typical skill sport, requires exact motion timing and control of finger forces and moments. The latter, the moments applied by the three fingers to the ball, were measured with an instrumented bowling ball in bowlers of different performance levels and in different shots. The results showed, that, in better bowlers, the magnitude of the moment vectors are higher than in beginners and average bowlers. Moment vectors and their 3D vector diagrams are an important tool for performance diagnostics and allow a clear differentiation between straight, hook, and spin shots.