Skill-Level Differences in Wrist Biomechanics and Forearm Muscle Activation during Tennis Forehand Strokes: A Motion Capture and sEMG Study

This study examines biomechanical differences in wrist joint angles and forearm muscle activation between advanced and intermediate tennis players during forehand strokes.Using synchronized motion capture and Surface Electromyography (sEMG), we analyzed wrist movements across three axes flexion/extension, radial/ulnar deviation, and pronation/supination, along with the activity of five key forearm muscles.Results showed that advanced players demonstrated a significantly smaller range of motion (ROM) in wrist flexion/extension (45.96 4.39) compared to intermediate players (63.77 6.24, p = 0.05).However, advanced players exhibited a greater ROM in radial/ulnar deviation (44.87 6.50) versus their intermediate counterparts (23.72 8.67, p = 0.05), suggesting a more adaptable wrist position.Muscle activation patterns also differed by skill level.Advanced players utilized a well-differentiated strategy with dominant contributions from the flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU, 22.3%) and extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB, 20.1%).In contrast, intermediate players showed a compensatory reliance on forearm rotation muscles, mainly the supinator (SP, 23.7%) and pronator teres (PT, 21.4%), and exhibited delayed, less coordinated activation with higher variability.These findings suggest that higher skill levels are associated with more refined neuromuscular control and biomechanical efficiency.This research provides valuable, quantified insight for coaches and sports scientists aiming to enhance stroke performance and prevent injury through targeted training interventions.