Haptic Perception of Physical and Functional Properties of Table Tennis and Badminton Rackets in Children and Elderly

Abstract

The haptic perception affords detection of the physical and functional properties of an instrument actively sustained.Fifty-seven children (8.82 ± 0.38 years old) and 64 elderlies (71.3 ± 4.46 years old) estimated the length and the distance of the center of percussion for two table tennis rackets and a badminton racket. The eigenvalues of each racket for length and distance from the wrist to the center of percussion were calculated. The present study confirmed the results obtained with field tennis rackets, extending them to table tennis and badminton rackets, and also to children. The elderlies preserved and children had the capacity of haptically detect physical and functional properties of table tennis and badminton rackets. The weight of the rackets affected properties estimations. The eigenvalues may be a valid tool for the definition of physical and functional properties of sport instruments, allowing better adjustment to different motor development stages.

Conceptual Framework for the Research on Quality of Life

“…Such contribution is evident in the scientific production made by the LQRC body of researchers specializing in these areas of knowledge, studying topics as varied as: motor control and development problems [55,56]; unintentional socio-motor synchronization [57]; perceptual motor development, gesture and the development of spoken language [58]; sports and gender rules [59]; unconventional therapeutic body techniques and regulation of vital signs [60][61][62]; haptic perception of functional properties of instruments in children and the elderly [63]; visual perception and motor control [64]; visual perception and navigation [65,66]; task constraints and motor control [67,68]; social affordances and motor development [69]; degrees of freedom of sports instruments and motor learning [70]; adaptive motor abilities in infants; learning specific socio-motor skills [71]; maturation and sports selection [72]; aging and motor control of specific motor abilities [73,74]; and kinesiology of sports injury [75].…”