Hydrodynamic Characteristics of Different Undulatory Underwater Swimming Positions Based on Multi-Body Motion Numerical Simulation Method

Jin Yang, Tianzeng Li, Zhiya Chen, Chuan Zuo and Xiaodong Li
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Jin Yang: Institute of Physical Education, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
Tianzeng Li: School of Industrial Design and Ceramic Art, Foshan University, Foshan 528011, China
Zhiya Chen: School of Industrial Design and Ceramic Art, Foshan University, Foshan 528011, China
Chuan Zuo: School of Sports Science, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai 200438, China
Xiaodong Li: Institute of Physical Education, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 22, 1-17

Abstract: The study of hydrodynamic characteristics of swimming is the main way to optimize the swimming movement. The relationship between position, water depth, and swimming performance of undulatory underwater swimming are one of the main concerns of scholars. Therefore, the aim of this study is to analyze the swimming performance of three different undulatory underwater swimming positions under various swimming depths using a numerical simulation method based on multi-body motion. The simulation was conducted using 3D incompressible Navier–Stokes equations using the RNG k-ε turbulence closure equations, and in combination with the VOF method thus that we could include the water surface in our calculations. Different swimming depths based on the distance from the shoulder joint center to the initial water surface were considered. The velocity of the shoulder joint center was captured with a swimming motion monitoring system (KiSwim) and compared with the calculated results. The study found that there was a significant difference in the hydrodynamic characteristics of the three undulatory underwater swimming positions (i.e., the dorsal, lateral, and frontal positions) when swimming near the water surface, and the difference decreased as the swimming depth increased. There was a negative correlation (R(dorsal) = −0.928, R(frontal) = −0.937, R(lateral) = −0.930) between the swimming velocities of the three undulatory underwater swimming positions and the water depth (water depth = 0.2–0.7 m) and that the lateral position had the greatest average velocity. Therefore, it is recommended that swimmers travel at least 0.5 m below the water surface in any undulatory underwater swimming position in order to avoid excessive drag forces. As the swimmer approaches the water surface, the lateral position is worth considering, which has better velocity and hydrodynamic advantage than the other two undulatory underwater swimming positions.

Keywords: water depth; water surface; computational fluid dynamic; hydrodynamic characteristic; swimming performance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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