Kayaking paddle blade compression load distribution sensing system based on optical fiber with a polydimethylsiloxane membrane.

This paper proposed a novel real-time compression load measurement system for a kayaking paddle based on optical fiber technology. The optical fiber sensor, fiber Bragg grating, is embedded in a 2 mm polydimethylsiloxane membrane, which serves as a pressure mat that can be easily attached/detached to/from the kayaking paddle. The proposed system is proposed for measuring and evaluating both handgrip loading and paddle blade load distribution during on-water kayaking, e.g., peak compression load distribution pattern and duration of the paddle blade in real time. Both indoor prototype experiment results and on-water experimental data on an expert paddler were presented to demonstrate the application potential of the proposed system.