Simulation Model of Flip Turn in Swimming

Abstract

The swimming turn is one of the important factors in producing results in a race. Knowing the mechanical quantities in turns is useful to quantify the turning technique. However, experimental measurements often require considerable time and costs. The aim of this study was to construct a simulation model of a flip turn in the crawl stroke by extending the swimming human simulation model SWUM. The joint motion was created based on the standard crawl motion and a turn commentary video on the Internet. Furthermore, the contact with the wall was represented as forces by virtual springs and dampers and the frictional forces. As a result of simulation, a successful turning motion was confirmed. It was also found that the simulated contact time, the maximum force, and the impulse were within the ranges of the previous research.

Keywords

• swimming
• biomechanics
• flip turn
• simulation