Use of Optical Motion Capture in Sports Science: A Case Study of Golf Swing

The research aimed to explore and demonstrate the useful technique in creating the motion picture of golf swing movement for golf beginner utilizing the motion capture tool. The sample consists of three experts chosen by purposive sampling, while, the research tools applied in this research includes: 1) the golf swing movement and gesture for golf beginner demonstrated by the motion capture tool, and 2) the questionnaire with five-level rating-scale on the proper movement of golf swing movement which was verified by the experts for its reliability. In particular, the research outcome indicated that the creation of the motion picture of golf swing for the beginner comprises of 3 major parts as follows: 1) the motion capture tool setup, suitable and sufficient space for working, camera positioning, and the right number of reflex spots on the actor´s body, 2) the golf swing movement capture divided into 3 patterns by the number of the reflex spots and each pattern was done for at least 5 times by golf professionals for the movement capture, and 3) the three 3D characters and motion picture in which the researchers created with similar ratio of real human and applied the captured movement data to construct the animation character skeleton before obtaining three sets of the golf swing animation divided by the number of reflex spots. Surprisingly, the research revealed the golf professionals´ suggestion that most of the current movement of golf swing has been performed in improper manners. In this regard, this research suggested that to demonstrate the proper golf swing movement for golf beginner, the key factors was not only the number and position of reflex spots on the actor´s body but also the certain regulation in utilizing the motion capture tools, and that the 3D characters, in most cases, should be created with similar ratio of body as a real human.