A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) based analysis of the propulsive forces generated by two distinct styles of arm-pulls in front-crawl as well as backstroke is presented in this Technical Brief. Realistic models of the arm pulling through water are created by combining underwater video footage and laser-scans of an arm with computer animation. The contributions of drag and lift forces on the arm to thrust are computed from CFD, and it is found that lift forces provide a dominant contribution to thrust for all the arm-pull styles examined. However, contrary to accepted notions in swimming, pronounced sculling (lateral motion) not only does not increase the contribution of lift forces on the hand to overall thrust, it decreases the contribution of drag forces to thrust. Consequently, pronounced sculling seems to reduce the effectiveness of the arm-pull.
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July 2012
Technical Briefs
Comparative Analysis of Thrust Production for Distinct Arm-Pull Styles in Competitive Swimming
Alfred von Loebbecke,
Alfred von Loebbecke
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering,
The George Washington University
, Washington, DC 20052
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Rajat Mittal
Rajat Mittal
Mechanical Engineering,
Johns Hopkins University
, Baltimore, MD 21218
Search for other works by this author on:
Alfred von Loebbecke
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering,
The George Washington University
, Washington, DC 20052
Rajat Mittal
Mechanical Engineering,
Johns Hopkins University
, Baltimore, MD 21218J Biomech Eng. Jul 2012, 134(7): 074501 (4 pages)
Published Online: July 13, 2012
Article history
Received:
January 17, 2012
Revised:
June 14, 2012
Accepted:
June 14, 2012
Posted:
July 6, 2012
Published:
July 13, 2012
Online:
July 13, 2012
Citation
Loebbecke, A. V., and Mittal, R. (July 13, 2012). "Comparative Analysis of Thrust Production for Distinct Arm-Pull Styles in Competitive Swimming." ASME. J Biomech Eng. July 2012; 134(7): 074501. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4007028
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