Determination of Tenpin Bowling Lane’s Rolling Resistance Based on Kinetics and Kinematics Modeling

Abstract

Bowling alleys have significant influence on tenpin bowler’s performance. The lane surface is one of the major factors in determining the player’s results in a bowling tournament due to the ball–lane surface interaction. Understanding on how to adapt to different lane conditions will help bowlers to perform better. This study investigates rolling resistance coefficients of bowling ball–lane surface based on kinetics and kinematics modeling approach. Ball throwing phase was modeled where the bowler’s throwing arm is defined as one rigid single connecting rod on a pivoted joint of the shoulder. Power generated from the throw is derived based on the work done by the arm during the throwing time interval. The amount of work done by the throwing arm is derived from the amount of torque generated from the throw during the throwing time interval. The rolling resistance coefficient of the thrown ball was calculated based on the power required to make the ball roll on the lane. Modeling results identify ball release velocity, ball velocity, and throwing arm angular velocity as parameters that are capable of being manipulated by the bowler in order to obtain desired throwing power. This, however, depends on the ball–lane rolling resistance coefficient and the ball’s drag coefficient. Modeling information should enable bowlers to adjust their throwing mechanics to adapt with bowling lane conditions.