Several studies have revealed the propelling technique of natural swimmers by applying the flow visualization technique, specifically the Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) method (Matsuuchi et al., 2009; Hochstein & Blickhan, 2011). Utilizing the PIV method involves calculating the velocity vector field within the measurement area, thereby aiding in comprehending fluid dynamics such as jet flows and vortex generation, which may contribute to our understanding of propulsion mechanisms (Takagi et al., 2014). While this method enabled the visualization of wake flow around a skilled swimmer's foot during leg-kick swimming in a water flume (Shimojo et al., 2019), the wake flows within an indoor swimming pool using the same equipment and settings remain ambiguous. Furthermore, a study by Epps and Techet (2007) demonstrated the estimation of wake force for forward acceleration in maneuvering fish by integrating complementary approaches, including capturing wake structures like vortex ring geometry. This study aimed to visualize the wake flow around a human foot during leg-kick swimming in an indoor swimming pool and subsequently estimate the associated thrust force.
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