A Study on the Grip Force of Ski Gloves with Feature Data Fusion Based on GWO—BPNN Deep Learning

To investigate the characteristic pressure distribution patterns when gripping ski poles during skiing, this study addresses the challenges of measuring grip force on the complex curved surfaces of ski poles. A dataset of experimental samples was established, and grip force data were extracted using deep neural network (DNN) training. To reduce errors caused by dynamic force distribution and domain shifts due to varying hand postures, a hybrid method combining deep neural networks with the bio-inspired Gray Wolf Optimization (GWO) algorithm was proposed. This approach enables the fusion of hand-related feature data, facilitating the development of a high-precision grip force prediction model for skiing. A multi-point flexible array sensor was selected to detect force at key contact points. Through system calibration, grip force data were collected and used to construct a comprehensive database. A backpropagation (BP) neural network was then developed to process the sensor data at these characteristic points using deep learning techniques. The data fusion model was trained and further optimized through the GWO-BPNN (Gray Wolf Optimizer–backpropagation neural network) algorithm, which focuses on correcting and classifying force data based on dominant force-bearing units. Experimental results show that the optimized model achieves a relative error of less than 2% compared to calibration experiments, significantly improving the accuracy of flexible sensor applications. This model has been successfully applied to the development of intelligent skiing gloves, offering a scientific foundation for performance guidance and evaluation in skiing sports.