The influence of drag on human locomotion in water

Propulsion in water requires a propulsive force to overcome drag. Male subjects were measured for cycle frequency, energy cost and drag (D) as a function of velocity (V), up to maximal V, for fin and front crawl swimming, kayaking and rowing. The locomotion with the largest propulsive arms and longe...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inUndersea & hyperbaric medicine Vol. 32; no. 1; pp. 45 - 57
Main Authors Pendergast, D, Mollendorf, J, Zamparo, P, Termin, 2nd, A, Bushnell, D, Paschke, D
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States Undersea & Hyperbaric Medical Society 01.01.2005
Subjects
Adult
Energy Metabolism - physiology
Friction
Humans
Locomotion - physiology
Male
Space life sciences
Sports - physiology
Swimming - physiology
Water
Online AccessGet full text

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Summary:Propulsion in water requires a propulsive force to overcome drag. Male subjects were measured for cycle frequency, energy cost and drag (D) as a function of velocity (V), up to maximal V, for fin and front crawl swimming, kayaking and rowing. The locomotion with the largest propulsive arms and longest hulls traveled the greatest distance per cycle (d/c) and reached higher maximal V. D while locomotoring increased as a function of V, with lower levels for kayaking and rowing at lower Vs. For Vs below 1 m/s, pressure D dominated, while friction D dominated up to 3 m/s, after which wave D dominated total D. Sport training reduced the D, increased d/c, and thus lowered C and increased maximal V. Maximal powers and responses to training were similar in all types of locomotion. To minimize C or maximize V, D has to be minimized by tailoring D type (friction, pressure or wave) to the form of locomotion and velocity.
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ISSN:1066-2936