THE USE OF COMPUTATIONAL FLUIDS DYNAMICS TO OPTIMISE UNDERWATER KICKING PERFORMANCE
Keywords:
underwater kicking, computational fluid dynamics
Abstract
Elite swimmers use a variety of underwater kicking patterns in current competition with little scientific information used in their selection. The current study sought to discriminate between 2 different patterns of underwater dolphin kick (large amplitude, slow kicks versus small amplitude, fast kicks) using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). Inputs into the CFD model included an accurate 3D mapping of an elite swimmer and detailed kinematic information of the underwater kicking from a 2D analysis. Initial results of the static CFD model were in agreement with previous empirical testing of passive drag. Results of the dynamic CFD modelling and comparisons are still to be finalised.
Published
2008-03-25
Section
Methodology
Authors can retain copyright, while granting the International Society of Biomechanics in Sports (ISBS) the right of first publication.