THEORY INTO PRACTICE: THE KEY TO ACCEPTANCE OF SPORT BIOMECHANICS

Abstract

In thinking about how to present a tribute to David Waddell, it may have seemed logical to review biomechanics research related to badminton. However, to be accepted by coaches, players and administrators requires a greater ‘body of knowledge’ than is currently available in badminton. For that reason I will focus this paper on the biomechanics of the tennis serve (Figure 1), so that young scientists can see, at least in my opinion, the research process that needs to be followed to ‘make a difference’. This needs to happen in much the same way as clinical biomechanics has influenced so many aspects of medical and para-medical practice.