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Race-analysis during the European Championships Swimming in Eindhoven
In March 2008, the European Championships Swimming (long course) are held in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. During the swimming championships video recordings and race-analysis will be made and distributed by the Dutch Swimming Federation KNZB. This page contains information on the methods used to make the analysis and the content that will be provided to coaches and swimmers.
The Dutch Swimming Federation KNZB started to make structured race-analysis in 2003. Andre Cats of the KNZB and Marcel de Natris of SwimWatch software joined forces, chose methods and created software to analyse Dutch swimmers in great detail. Since then, the software has been used during numerous National and International meets. Within 10 minutes after the race, Dutch coaches have access to all the video and the analysis and can they can review races using a laptop and SwimWatch software.
The software that is used is called The SwimWatch Race Analyzer 2. This software is a complete package for race-analysis: it is used by the analyst to capture and analyse races and it is used by the coach to review video and analysis. Analysis made by The SwimWatch Race Analyzer 2 are very detailed. In case of a 100m freestyle race, the software shows over 100 parameters. During the European Championships in Eindhoven all teams will have the opportunity to find out how this innovative system works.
Measurements and calculations
This picture shows how a 50m pool is divided into 6 sections. For each of the sections, the split time is determined using digital video (50 frames per second). Also, a total of 4 stroke frequencies (stroke rates) are determined for each length of the race. With those measurements, 6 speed values and 4 stroke lengths can be calculated for each length of the race.
For the start the block time, the landing time, the breakout time and the 15m time is measured. Turn times and speeds are calculated using multiple split times. The analysis shows turn times and speeds for 10m (5m + 5m) and for 20m (5m + 5m + 10m). Also, the breakout time after each turn is measured, which is used to calculate a breakout distance and speed.
Race-analysis during the European Championships in Eindhoven
During the European Championships in Eindhoven, all semi-final and final races are captured using a total of 6 digital cameras and 3 laptops. All equipment is placed on the top of the stands at one side of the pool. Two cameras are used to film the swimmers in lanes 1 to 3, two cameras are used to film swimmers in lanes 4 and 5 and two cameras are used to film swimmers in lanes 6 to 8. The result will be a huge collection of video files.
These video files are then analyzed by a team of trained analysts, that will analyze all swimmers. Also, the software will create compressed video files. All compressed video and all analysis will be stored on a website that can be accessed by coaches of all teams to download the results. For this purpose, all teams will receive a login and password at the beginning of the Championships.
Contents provided to coaches and swimmers
Teams can download compressed video and the analysis files of all of their swimmers to their local computer through the internet. In order to be able to view the results, a free copy of The SwimWatch Race Analyzer 2 software must be installed. This software will be made available at the beginning of the Championships, but the software al already available for download on the SwimWatch website.
After installation, all coaches can view the video and the analysis of their swimmers without additional cost. More so, the database containing all the race analysis of the entire Championship is available for only 1250 euro. This archive will contain 650-700 race analysis. Contact Andre Cats of the KNZB for more info on obtaining the entire archive. To be able to make race-analysis with the SwimWatch Race Analyzer 2, a software license is required. See the SwimWatch website for more info on SwimWatch software.
Both the KNZB and SwimWatch are looking forward to the European Championships in Eindhoven and hope that all teams will appreciate the efforts that are made to share this innovative system with other teams. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Andre Cats or Marcel de Natris through email.
See you in Eindhoven!
