Analysis of Swimming Biomechanics by Jaroslav Motyčka and his team between the years 1960 - 2017

abstract

English

The aim of the work is to summarize the work of Professor Jaroslav Motyčka, who within the framework of his coaching, pedagogical and academic activities has been devoted to analysis of swimming biomechanics since 1960. He and his colleagues have developed and constructed a lot of devices and come up with different methods used for diagnosing technique, speed, and forces in swimming. At first, Professor Motyčka studied swimming forces and drag during tethered swimming and afterwards with the help of a Swimming dynamometer. The dynamometer made it possible to measure forces during resistance swimming or drag during the assisted towing method. The specially designed light and sound Metronome impose stroke rate. To determine the anthropometric data of swimmers, a Caliper (1961) with increased accuracy was developed. The results of the force measurements showed the need to determine speed fluctuation and acceleration of swimming. So, Tachograph measuring system development started in 1965. The Tachograph is a device used for measuring the velocity of linear motion. This system measures the linear speed of a swimmer. Another invention was the Tensometric Start Block that measured take-off forces (1976) in the horizontal and vertical planes during the take-off. The trajectory of jump was simultaneously recorded with a camera in front of a raster board. Also, push-off forces after turns were measured by a Tensometric Plate placed below the water level on a pool wall. At present, our team at BUT continues to develop advanced diagnostic tools used for swimming analysis. The Tachograph II system (2009) with synchronized video recording was developed for measuring the speed of swimming in both directions on a track of any length. We can assess the development of variables (mean speed, efficiency, variation coefficient, frequency) and speed fluctuations caused by fatigue. We have determined different relations between variables of male and female swimmers and their development during maturing. We also use the data obtained in individual work with swimmers to optimize their swimming technique. In 2015, we developed and extended our system with special inertial measurement unit for analysing acceleration and swim speed including jump start and turns.

Biomechanics, History, Swimming, Force, Speed

ŠŤASTNÝ, J.; MOTYČKA, J.; BÁTOROVÁ, M.

17. 9. 2018

Tsukuba

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