1 Comparison of test devices to measure slip resistance of a range

							Comparison of test devices to measure slip resistance of a range of tennis
surfaces

Aim: Establish a valid and reliable predictive method (or methods) for measuring slip
resistance of tennis surfaces in (wet and) dry condition.
Objectives:
    1. Compare XL, Crab, TRRL and Tortus devices on a variety of surface types, e.g.
        artificial/natural grass and clay, acrylic (with shockpad), carpet.
Work programme:
    • Familiarisation with (and any necessary modification of) test equipment and
        identification of surfaces.
    • Testing.
    • Reporting.
Required resources (supplied by the ITF):
Test devices
Surfaces
Deliverables:
Report (copy of project as required by student’s institution)
Additional related work (to be agreed):
Validation of loading conditions/relation to real play.
Comparison of validated device(s) with ITF Sports Shoe Tester.


Measurement of racket vibration characteristics for balls of varying
stiffness

Aim: Establish the relationship between racket vibrations and dynamic ball stiffness.
Objectives:
   1. Modify the existing Racket Vibration Tester (RVT) software to increase
       sensitivity.
   2. Measure racket vibrations for impacts with selected balls.
Work programme:
   • Adaptation of RVT software to output higher-order frequencies of vibration.
   • Identification and characterisation of tennis balls.
   • Testing.
   • Reporting.
Required resources (supplied by the ITF):
Laptop
Racket vibration tester
Bazooka
Ball dynamics tester (BDT)
Racket and strings
Test balls
Deliverables:
Documented software code
Report (copy of project as required by student’s institution)




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Development of a method to measure the coefficient of friction between
tennis strings

Aim: Produce a valid and reliable method of measuring the Coefficient of Friction
(COF) between strings for ball impacts.
Objectives:
    1. Characterise string movement and load during common ball impacts.
    2. Research possible methods for measuring the COF of strings.
    3. Design and build a test device.
    4. Demonstrate device’s ability to measure COF.
Work programme:
    • Background/feasibility study.
    • Design and order materials.
    • Build device.
    • Testing.
    • Reporting.
Required resources (supplied by the ITF):
Manufacturing consumables
String
Deliverables:
Test device
Instructions
Report (copy of project as required by student’s institution)


Investigation of power distribution of different racket designs

Aim: Map variation in “racket power” for ball/racket impacts along the hitting surface
of various racket frame designs.
Objectives:
    1. Measure the power distribution of different rackets.
    2. Relate the variation in power to design parameters.
Work programme:
    • Familiarisation with test equipment and protocol.
    • Testing.
    • Reporting.
Required resources (supplied by the ITF):
Racket power machine (M O)
Balls and string
Test rackets
Deliverables:
Report (copy of project as required by student’s institution)




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Determination of the sensitivity of tennis ball properties to impact velocity

Aim: Characterise the behaviour of a range of ball constructions for ball/surface
impacts at various velocities.
Objectives:
   1. Measure the dynamic stiffness and coefficient of restitution of different balls.
Work programme:
   • Familiarisation with test equipment and protocol.
   • Testing.
   • Reporting.
Required resources (supplied by the ITF):
Laptop
Ball dynamics tester (BDT)
Test balls
Deliverables:
Report (copy of project as required by student’s institution)




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