Development of an Instrumented Glove for Palmar Pressure Assessment in Kayakers

Understanding hand–paddle interaction is essential for optimizing performance and preventing injury in kayaking, yet coaches still lack objective, practical tools. We present a soft, instrumented glove that measures and dynamically maps palmar pressure throughout the stroke cycle. A matrix of piezoresistive sensors is integrated into the glove and connected to dedicated electronics housed in a waterproof enclosure. A viscoelastic model converts sensor resistance into forces, enabling time-resolved 3D mapping of contact mechanics. Data are transmitted via Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE). Experimental validation on a kayak ergometer across multiple cadences demonstrated accurate measurements (per-sensor root mean square error (RMSE) of ±2 N), clear delineation of pull and push phases, evolving pressure distribution over the motion, and a peak total right-hand force of 186 N at high cadence. Beyond feasibility, these results position the glove as a practical training aid: it supports athlete-specific load monitoring and the early detection of potentially problematic movement patterns.