A new device for estimating active drag in swimming at maximal velocity.
A new device was designed to measure the active drag during maximal velocity swimming based on the assumption of equal useful power output in two cases: with and without a small additional drag. A gliding block was used to provide an adjustable drag, which was attached to the swimmer and measured by a force transducer. Six swimmers of national standard (3 males, 3 females) participated in the test. For the males, the mean active drag ranged from 48.57 to 105.88 N in the front crawl and from 54.14 to 76.37 N in the breaststroke. For the females, the mean active drag ranged from 36.31 to 50.27 N in the front crawl and from 36.25 to 77.01 N in the breaststroke. During testing, the swimmer's natural stroke and kick were not disturbed. We conclude that the device provides a useful method for measuring and studying active drag.
Xin-Feng
Wang
W
Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing, People's Republic of China. wangxinfeng@tsinghua.org.cn
Lian-Ze
Wang
W
Wei-Xing
Yan
Y
De-Jian
Li
L
Xiong
Shen
S
D000054:Acceleration; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008124:Locomotion; D008297:Male; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013550:Swimming; D013997:Time Factors; D014159:Transducers