Abstract
This study aims to investigate the correlation between hand grip strength and athletic performance in badminton players using a flexible piezoresistive pressure sensor. Beginners (15 males) and national second-level badminton athletes (15 males) participate in three progressively challenging test scenarios: stationary single-technique continuous testing, stationary techniques combination testing, and footwork-based techniques combination testing. During each test, real-time handgrip data including grip force peaks, time-domain grip characteristics, and average grip force are collected using flexible piezoresistive sensors. These indicators are analyzed alongside technical performance scores to evaluate differences in grip parameters across technique levels, and correlations between grip metrics and performance outcomes. Compared to beginners, athletes demonstrate more precise, focused, and efficient grip force control in all testing scenarios(P < 0.05). Significant correlations are found between grip force peak or time-domain grip changes and technical scores in control-based techniques. However, in force-based techniques, correlations are not statistically significant, though significant differences between technique groups are observed. Hand grip strength parameters, especially grip control ability, may serve as effective indicators for evaluating athletic performance in badminton. Higher-level players have more refined grip control characterized by precision, concentration, and efficiency. This study expands the application of flexible piezoresistive pressure sensors in sports science and also offers a novel, quantitative approach for assessing badminton performance from a micro-level perspective.