A PHOTO-OPTICAL METHOD FOR THE AQUlSlTlON OF BIOMECHANICAL DATA IN SWIMMERS

Authors

  • J.P. Vilas-Boas

Abstract

The author presents and discuss the utility of a photo-optical method for the evaluation of swimming breaststroke technique. It consists on photographic registration, with prolonged exposition, of the trace produced by a pulse light device attached to the hip of the swimmer. This device uses 24 LEDs as light source, flashes every 0.2 sec (5 Hz) and is powered by a 9 v battery. After digitizing and processing, data allow insight on: (i) swimming velocity fluctuation curves; (ii) per fase hip acceleration and (iii) per fase resultant impulses estimation. data can be used on the comparison of two or more variants of a swimming technique, on the evaluation of individual technical progresses, and on comparisons of particular subjects technique with top level swimmers. Examples will be presented and discussed.

Downloads