Biomechanical characterization of different rope skipping movements based on three-dimensional motion capture and electromyographic signal acquisition

Rope skipping is becoming a nationally popular sport with recreational, fitness and competitive attributes. However, poorly accomplished movements during the sport may not yield the best results and may even result in injuries. Therefore, the study used 3D motion capture and electromyographic signal acquisition for biomechanical characterization. It analyzed the human joint angles, angular velocities, muscle activation level, and muscle contribution rate in comparison when performing different rope skipping movements. The experimental results showed that the total duration of single movement was higher in the experimental group than in the control group. The average movement angle of the wrist joint in the pre-swing stage was greater for single shake than for single double shake, with the angle ranges of 116°–168° and 107°–172°, respectively. The wrist joint angular velocity of single double shake changed more gently, and the angular velocity of double shake was larger than that of single shake, with a difference of 141°. In the single-shake pre-swing stage, the activation of the trapezius and deltoid was much higher than that of the other muscles, 65% and 66%, respectively. The buffering stage contributed the most to the deltoid, with 23%, 21%, 24%, and 23% for the individual movements, respectively. As a result, the experimental group’s rope skipping movements were completed more standardized, with lower free heights and better cushioning, reducing the risk of injury. The method used in the study can effectively biomechanically characterize human joints and muscles during rope skipping and improve the science and rationality of the rope skipping movement.