In looking at the animation on www.swimsmooth.com I see that the hand follows a straight path front to back. This is probably better seen when looking up at the swimmer from under water. If you put a ruler to the path it is pretty much a straight line.
Now, I've seen and I've read posts that talk about a non-linear path. I guess the idea is to always try to accelerate new water rather than applying force to water that you've already accelerated.
So...why do they show a straight path.
And, if curved is better, what is the best path?
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Former Member
The old paradigm was that lift((sculling) was more important than drag,hence the S pattern stroke.With the ascendance of the drag theory(push back to go forward) the curved path seems to be disappearing.
I can't possibly believe that hydrodynamic lift can be a significant component of propulsion. The only part of the arm that can possibly generate lift would be the hand. Maximizing lift forces would entail holding the hand in a very precise shape and at a very precise angle of attack with respect to fluid flow throughout the stroke. This is probably impossible. And, if even if we could, I would be surprised if the lift force one could generate would compare favorably to simple drag.
Are there any real studies or computer simulations around that have tested this?
The old paradigm was that lift((sculling) was more important than drag,hence the S pattern stroke.With the ascendance of the drag theory(push back to go forward) the curved path seems to be disappearing.
I can't possibly believe that hydrodynamic lift can be a significant component of propulsion. The only part of the arm that can possibly generate lift would be the hand. Maximizing lift forces would entail holding the hand in a very precise shape and at a very precise angle of attack with respect to fluid flow throughout the stroke. This is probably impossible. And, if even if we could, I would be surprised if the lift force one could generate would compare favorably to simple drag.
Are there any real studies or computer simulations around that have tested this?
