Measuring force-time variation in competitive racing dives

Proper execution of the racing dive in competitive swimming has tremendous bearing on the outcome of short- and medium-length races.

Proper execution of the racing dive in competitive swimming has tramendous bearing on the outcome of short- and medium-length races. In order to more closely examine parameters which influence the starting process, a diving platform equipped with strain gages was developed which measures the time-dependent variation in the horizontal and vertical takeoff forces created by the swimmer.
Described are the construction of the measuring system and trials by accomplished swimmers.