Chinese swimmers can surge like rockets in the pool at the Tokyo Olympics, partly thanks to supportive technology in training.
The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) announced on July 30 that researchers have created a miniature version of the guidance system used on rockets to help swimmers enhance their technique and reduce drag. According to CASC, swimming posture directly affects forward speed. This technique is combined with conventional camera systems, providing a scientific basis for coaches to develop training plans, optimize techniques, and minimize drag.
Chinese swimmer at the training facility. (Photo: SCMP).
Top coaches have long used motion sensors to monitor athletes’ movements during training. The equipment typically includes a camera tracking system similar to that used in the film industry, recording the activity of various body parts. At an advanced level, changes are not easily visible to the naked eye but can make all the difference, requiring more powerful technology to gather information.
To hit a target over 10,000 km away, intercontinental ballistic missiles use an inertial guidance system. This system relies on a complex gyroscope to track motion, determine the missile’s location, and position when there is no satellite signal. While gyroscopes are extremely precise, they are also bulky and heavy for missiles.
According to CASC, space scientists spent over a year adjusting the technology and reducing the weight of the high-precision gyroscope to just a few grams so that swimmers could comfortably wear it on their shoulders or other joint areas without hindering movement. The athletes then stand in a wind tunnel and are monitored as they “swim” against the wind.
The simulation allows scientists to calculate the precise drag forces generated by different movements, CASC stated. The evaluation results then help provide recommendations on methods to improve athletes’ techniques and manage body shape. The Chinese rowing team, which recently won a gold medal at the Olympics, also uses the wind tunnel in their training.
However, the task also presents many challenges for space scientists as they must simulate the interaction between two types of fluids: water and air, finding the best solutions to coordinate the movements of four athletes on a 12-meter-long boat. Most training takes place at a research facility for aircraft and missile development. However, the sensor designs at the facility are not intended for living beings.
A new wind tunnel dedicated to sports training was inaugurated in Beijing last year, helping improve performance in international competitions, including the upcoming Winter Olympics to be held in China. Other countries are also applying space technology to enhance their competitive capabilities. Before the Beijing 2008 Olympics, NASA used a wind tunnel to help the national swimming team find the most suitable swimsuit material with the least drag.
