Biomechanics of bowling (10-pins, NOT CRICKET)

[Glenn Fleisig]

Does anyone know of any studies on the biomechanics of bowling? Much has been published on bowlers in cricket, but this is not what I am asking about. This is about bowling a ball in a bowling alley to knock down ten pins.

Thanks.

[David Wagner]

Re: Biomechanics of bowling (10-pins, NOT CRICKET)

Hi Glenn,

As a bowler, I have always been interested in the biomechanics of bowling. I am not aware of any published studies. Depending on what you are looking for, you might try and contact the Bowling International Research and Training Center.

http://bowl.com/ITRC/ITRC_Home/About/

I talked with some of their researchers a few years ago and they provided me some mocap data they had collected on one of their professional bowlers. I will forward you their contact in a separate email.

Best,
David

[Andrew Kickertz]

Re: Biomechanics of bowling (10-pins, NOT CRICKET)

Does anyone know of any studies on the biomechanics of bowling? Much has been published on bowlers in cricket, but this is not what I am asking about. This is about bowling a ball in a bowling alley to knock down ten pins.

Thanks.

Hi Glenn,

I am not aware of any articles about the biomechanics of bowling. I know that the USBC has used motion capture to study bowlers including Jason Belmonte, but I haven't found any documentation of their results. One article that flirts with bowling biomechanics is King, Perkins, Churchill, McGinnis, Doss, & Hickland (2010) - Bowling ball dynamics revealed by miniature wireless MEMS inertial measurement unit. They look at the angular speed and linear acceleration of the ball during the swing and while the ball is on lane, rather than directly monitoring the bowlers motion. They might have some references that point you in the right direction, but I would not guarantee it.

I am more familiar with the dynamics of the ball on lane, including its collisions with the pins. This is the topic of the MS thesis that I am working on. If you have any interest in what the ball does on lane, I believe these are the 3 best articles out there:
Hopkins and Patterson (1977). Bowling frames: Paths of a bowling ball.
Huston, Passerello, Winget, and Sears (1979). On the dynamics of a weighted bowling ball.
Frohlich (2004). What makes bowling balls hook?

Good luck, and please let us know if you find any good resources.

~ Andrew