SWIMMING BIOPHYSICAL RELEVANT PARAMETERS EXTRACTED FROM VELOCIMETRY AND ACCELEROMETRY

Abstract

This paper presents different examples of the use of direct velocimetry and accelerometry for the biophysical evaluation and advice of swimmers, assessing relevant parameters for performance enhancement. The described techniques are easy to build and operate, and allow real-and useful-time feedback for practitioners. The velocimetric measurements were based on a cable speedmeter (SwimSensor), and the accelerometric ones using a 3-axial inertial central –WIMU –, incorporating both accelerometers and gyroscopes. Results include swimming intracyclic velocity fluctuations for technical feedback, spectral analysis of the v(t) function to depict bioenergetical anaerobic intensity zones transition and specific fatigue, and breaststroke gliding drag assessment using inverse dynamics.