RESEARCH TOPIC: What Makes an Ergonomically Sound Tennis Racquet?
             First and foremost, what makes a good racquet can be highly subjective. There is no denying the vast improvements from the wooden racquets of the 1960 to the fibre reinforced racquets of today; but like any other sport technology, there is a level of comfort that greatly differs from one individual to another. This report simply outlines the evolution of the product and how new technologies have attempted to ergonomically improve the sport. Based on the research, some possible design solutions will be discussed and examined for their ergonomic value.
             There are 5 main racquet components that have been developed in the history of the sport, and they consist of 1) Balance/weight distribution, 2) Length/reach, 3) Handle/grip, 4) Shock absorption, and 5) String systems.
             Appendix A illustrates the different components of a tennis racquet.
             Both the weight distribution and the reach component of a racquet contribute to the overall stability. Stability is a measure of how well a frame resists twisting in your hand after hitting a ball outside of the sweet spot (the ideal hitting area in the centre of your racquet). In general, the weight of a racquet should conform to the skill level of the player. A beginner should use the lightest (under 9 ounces) and an advanced player should use a heavier (over 11 ounces) racquet. More reliable factors for determining the right racquet weight is the length and strength of the swing (figure 1 ). For someone to use a racquet that is too heavy, the player will struggle swinging hard enough, often hitting the ball too late. If anything, a person will more likely purchase a racquet that is too light, due to the fact that it generally feels better when swinging it in store. A lighter racquet, however, lacks resistance against the ball, resulting in a loss of stability and twisting (www.tennis.com).
             Weight distribution ...