Capturing the overarm throw in darts employing wireless inertial measurement

Abstract

This work employs a custom built body area network of wireless inertial measurement technology to conduct a biomechanical analysis of precision targeted throwing in competitive and recreational darts. The solution is shown to be capable of measuring key biomechanical factors including speed, acceleration and timing. These parameters are subsequently correlated with scoring performance to determine the affect each variable has on outcome. For validation purposes an optical 3D motion capture system provides a complete kinematic model of the subject and enables concurrent benchmarking of the 'gold standard' optical inertial measurement system with the more affordable and proactive wireless inertial measurement solution developed as part of this work.