Human swimming can be studied by observations or measurements. A swimming pool is a poor facility for making adequate observations since the time needed by a swimmer to pass an underwater window is too short. Making measurements is even more difficult since this can be done only by a wireless transmitting system (telemetry). The Netherlands Ship Model Basin (NSMB) is equipped with several large concrete basins for experimental studies on ship models. The basins are provided with carriages running over their full lengths at controllable speeds. The carriages comprise extensive instrumentation and recording facilities, including underwater television. Since 1968 one of these basins, the so-called high speed basin, has been used for a number of experimental studies on swimming. The basin has a length of 220 m, a width of 4 m, and a water depth of 4 m. The towing carriage can attain speeds up to 12 m per sec. The swimming studies are based on measurements and observations, which are continued for as long as necessa..ry for an adequate observation of the swimmer. The measurements and recordings of forces and other mechanical quantities are analyzed by NSMB and the results discussed with the wimming coaches. The observations, made by underwater television, provide additional information to the coaches. This article presents the test techniques used and gives some of the results and conclusions.
© Copyright 1975 Swimming II: Proceedings of the Second International Symposium on Biomechanics in Swimming, Brussels, Belgium. Published by University Park Press. All rights reserved.