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    Biomechanics Overview

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    brett
    This document provides an overview of biomechanics as it relates to swimming. It defines biomechanics as the study and analysis of human movement. The goals of biomechanical analysis in swimming are to maximize propulsive forces through efficient body movements while minimizing drag. Key biomechanical terminology used to describe swimming movements are also defined, such as catch, outsweep, downsweep, insweep, upsweep, recovery, flexion, and extension. Efficient biomechanical technique is the primary factor in swimming performance.

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    Biomechanics Overview

    Uploaded by

    brett
    37 views2 pages
    This document provides an overview of biomechanics as it relates to swimming. It defines biomechanics as the study and analysis of human movement. The goals of biomechanical analysis in swimming are to maximize propulsive forces through efficient body movements while minimizing drag. Key biomechanical terminology used to describe swimming movements are also defined, such as catch, outsweep, downsweep, insweep, upsweep, recovery, flexion, and extension. Efficient biomechanical technique is the primary factor in swimming performance.

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    Overview of the biomechanics of swimming.

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    This document provides an overview of biomechanics as it relates to swimming. It defines biomechanics as the study and analysis of human movement. The goals of biomechanical analysis in swimming are to maximize propulsive forces through efficient body movements while minimizing drag. Key biomechanical terminology used to describe swimming movements are also defined, such as catch, outsweep, downsweep, insweep, upsweep, recovery, flexion, and extension. Efficient biomechanical technique is the primary factor in swimming performance.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    37 views2 pages

    Biomechanics Overview

    Uploaded by

    brett
    This document provides an overview of biomechanics as it relates to swimming. It defines biomechanics as the study and analysis of human movement. The goals of biomechanical analysis in swimming are to maximize propulsive forces through efficient body movements while minimizing drag. Key biomechanical terminology used to describe swimming movements are also defined, such as catch, outsweep, downsweep, insweep, upsweep, recovery, flexion, and extension. Efficient biomechanical technique is the primary factor in swimming performance.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
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    BIOMECHANICAL OVERVIEW

    BIOMECHANICS-Applying the principals and techniques of mechanical movements to


    the structure, function, and capabilities of the human body. Biomechanics is the study and
    analysis of human movements.

     The purpose of biomechanics is to identify the variables that contribute to optimal


    efficiency in human movements. Additionally, the study of biomechanics works to
    identify the limiting factors that inhibit the performance of human movements.
     The sport of swimming involves complex biomechanical principals related to
    efficient performance. This is primarily due to the simple fact that the body is
    moving through the frictional resistance of water-which obviously involves
    different dynamics than movements through air.
     Proper biomechanical technique is arguably the number one factor that contributes
    to overall swimming performance. In other words, a swimmer with a superior level
    of physical fitness may not swim as fast or efficiently as a swimmer with an
    inferior level of physical fitness, due to differences in mechanical technique.

    BIOMECHANICAL GOALS OF SWIMMING

     To maximize the forward velocity of the swimmers body through the water by the
    application of propulsive forces. In order for the swimmer to apply optimal force,
    the swimmer must first work to gain a mechanical advantage over the water via
    technical body movements
     To minimize the drag and frictional resistance of water as the swimmer applies
    propulsive force. Because of the density of water, swimmers must maintain a
    proper body position that is streamlined and hydro dynamically effective in
    complementing the propulsive forces they have generated.

    BIOMECHANICAL TERMINOLOGY RELATED TO SWIMMING

     AFFINITY - The swimmers tactile relationship to the water. The swimmers


    affinity for the water is the primary factor directly related to the ability to produce
    propulsive force and to reduce drag resistance.
     SCULLING - Subtle fine motor movements made by the hands to displace water
    in order to achieve a mechanical advantage in producing propulsive forces,
    Sculling allows the swimmer to “grab” the water and to press force upon it.
     MECHANICAL ADVANTAGE - Body movements that achieve a favorable
    position for applying optimal propulsive force and pressure to the water.
     PROPULSIVE FORCE - Energy that drives the body forward through the
    water. Propulsive forces are determined by biomechanical and physiological
    parameters.
     DRAG RESISTANCE - The oppositional force created by the density of water
    that hinders the movements of the swimmers body. Increasing drag resistance
    inhibits swimming performance, while reducing drag resistance enhances swim
    performance.
     STREAMLINE POSITION - Arranging the swimmers body in a manner that
    creates the least amount of drag resistance while moving through the water. The
    goal of biomechanics is to make the swimmer as streamlined as possible while
    traveling through the water.
     STROKE/ARM CYCLE - Includes all phases of the arm pull, recovery,
    insertion, and extension.
     ARM PULL - Only includes the phases of the stroke that produces forward
    movements (i.e.-out sweep, down sweep, in sweep, out sweep). THE ARM PULL
    DOES NOT INCLUDE THE RECOVERY, INSERTION, AND EXTENSION.
     THE CATCH - The point at which the swimmer begins to “grab” the water and
    initially apply propulsive force.
     THE OUTSWEEP - Sculling movements made by the hands to move the
    swimmers arms away from their body.
     THE DOWNSWEEP - Sculling movements made by the hands to move the
    swimmers arms downward towards the bottom of the pool into deeper water.
     THE INSWEEP - Sculling movements made by the hands to move the
    swimmers arms inwards towards the bodies midline.
     THE UPSWEEP - Sculling movements made by the hands to move the
    swimmers arms upwards towards the surface of the water.
     THE RECOVERY - The nonpropulsive phase of the stroke where the arms
    return to the beginning of the arm pull. This phase of the stroke is where the arms
    should be relaxed prior to the next pull.
     THE UPBEAT KICK - The phase of the kick in which the legs travel upwards
    toward the surface of the water.
     THE DOWNBEAT KICK - The phase of the kick in which the legs travel
    downwards towards the bottom of the pool.
     FLEXION - In terms of swimming, flexion applies to the bending of a joint in the
    body. For example during the recovery of freestyle, the arm is flexed (bent) at the
    elbow joint. Another example would be the flexion of the knee and hip joints
    during the breaststroke and butterfly leg kicks.
     EXTENSION - In terms of swimming, extension refers to the straightening
    lengthening of a joint in the body. For example, during the arm recovery of
    backstroke, the arms are fully extended (straight) at the elbow joint. Another
    example would be the extension of the legs at the knee joint during the freestyle
    and backstroke leg kick.

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