Dynamic force measurements for a high bar using 3D motion capturing

The displacement of a calibrated horizontal bar is used as a measure for forces acting on the bar itself during dynamic performances in artistic gymnastics. The high bar is loaded with known forces and the displacement is monitored by means of a Vicon motion capturing system. The calibration results are fitted according to the Euler-Bernoulli beam theory. After calibration, forces can straightforwardly be measured by multiplication of the bar displacement with the determined fit parameter. This approach is also able to account for non-central force application (two hands on the bar) and the effect of the bar's inertia. Uncertainties in measured forces are assessed to be +/- 25N plus an additional 1% for the unknown weight distribution between the two hands. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.