THE SURFACE EMG ACTIVITY OF THE UPPER LIMB MUSCLES IN TABLE TENNIS FOREHAND DRIVES

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze the 3D kinematics variables and the upper limb muscle surface EMG activity of Taiwan elite table tennis players when they were performing forehand drives after receiving topspin and backspin services. Ten Vicon MX-13 2+cameras (Vicon, Oxford, UK, 250Hz) were used to record the 3D kinematics data and measured the EMG signals of seven upper limb muscles of the players. The results showed that the tactics of the table tennis players performed the forehand drive to receive backspin were both to increase the racket tilt angle in advance and to raise the path angle during the upswing phase. The players exerted greater muscular activity during receiving the backspin forehand drive than receiving topspin forehand drive in the wrist extensor, the biceps and the triceps.