WSU Launches Groundbreaking Pickleball Study: Washington State University’s Sports Science Laboratory (SSL) is expanding its research into pickleball, aiming to better understand and standardize the sport. With a $65,000 grant from Selkirk Sports, the largest pickleball paddle manufacturer in the U.S., the study will explore how paddle weight, ball elasticity, and other factors affect performance.
Investigating Paddle Weight and Ball Properties
Pickleball paddles can be weighted, but their impact on play remains unclear. Lloyd Smith, SSL director and a professor in the School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, believes adding weight could be a way to bypass performance regulations.
“Pickle paddles are allowed to be weighted, but nobody has quantified the effect of weight on performance. I think we will find that adding that weight is a hack around their standard.” – (Lloyd Smith)
Researchers will also examine pickleball balls, studying their elasticity, hardness, durability, and heat generation upon impact. These tests aim to provide a deeper understanding of how equipment influences gameplay.
“What is their elasticity, their hardness, or their durability? How do they heat up when a ball impacts the surface? These are the driving questions of the ball performance.” – (Lloyd Smith)
Combining Lab and Field Testing
The study will involve controlled lab tests and field studies with human players. In the lab, balls will be fired at stationary paddles using a cannon to measure impact effects. In the field, motion-tracking markers will be used to analyze paddle and ball movement.
This project marks the beginning of pickleball research at SSL. As the sport evolves, Smith anticipates further studies.
“If this ends up being similar to softball and baseball, there are going to be other questions that come up, other innovations that need examination and then there may be opportunities to study those as well. If there are challenges or interest to things we can study and write papers on, then we’ll keep going with it.” – (Lloyd Smith)
News in Brief: WSU Launches Groundbreaking Pickleball Study
Washington State University researchers, backed by a Selkirk Sports grant, will study pickleball equipment performance. The project will examine paddle weight, ball properties, and gameplay effects through lab and field tests. As pickleball grows, future studies could address new innovations and regulatory challenges.
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