Sliding to return a shot is a common tennis practice on clay courts, but lately players have started using it on grass and hard courts as well. Scientists say it is faster than running and allows athletes to change direction more quickly.
"The speed of the game has increased a lot because the players are serving faster than years before," said Daniel Ura, a researcher in the University of Sheffield's Department of Mechanical Engineering. "It could be because of the materials of the rackets, or could be the strings as well. But I think it's a necessity of the players to reach the ball faster."
So far, only a few top players have mastered the technique off clay. For effective slides, the shoes must perfectly match the court's surface, and this is where the science comes in handy.
"I think it will become more like a Formula 1 race probably," Ura said, with the right shoe depending on the weather or the surface conditions.
Looking for the best match between shoe and surface, researchers at the University of Sheffield have built a special mechanical rig that can measure the shoe traction.
"In order to do that," said Matt Carre, an instructor in the mechanical engineering department, "we need to understand a number of parameters, including how the shoe changes, how the properties of the shoe affect that interaction, how the properties of the tennis courts affect that, and also other factors like temperature" and how the players slide or move around the court.
The research, in partnership with the International Tennis Federation, may lead to different materials for tennis shoes, different court surfaces, and ultimately faster and even more exciting tennis matches.
Vocabulary
racket:球拍
traction:牵引力
美国国务卿克林顿前往中东争取化解以巴冲突
让自己忙起来
埃及反对派联合反对总统穆尔西扩权
巴菲特向瑞士再保险索赔10亿美元
Today is a gift
I like the subtle
创造你的运气
泰国反政府集会凸显总理英拉面临的挑战
国美力图在网上销售领域奋起直追
北极航线为液化气油轮赴亚洲开辟捷径
美国房价连续6个月上涨
“福利国家”是如何养成的?
There Are No Shortcuts
英美将出台国际性银行破产处置方案
美国财长对财政悬崖谈判摆出强硬立场
日本首相野田佳彦欢迎美国将重心转向亚太
不要让自己做有才华的穷人
孟加拉制衣厂大火引发街头抗议
东南亚高增长吸引投资者目光
大国角逐下的中亚
The Angel In My House
爱的分解
韩国怀疑朝鲜再度更换军方最高领导人
The Gift of Possibility
Love with been loved
父爱是一诺千金
通往广场的路不止一条
爱的召唤
浑水做空奥兰有戏吗?
360与百度在搜索领域展开攻防战
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |