A Fundamental Fluid Dynamic Research on Configurations of Hand Palms Concerning Synchronized Swimming

Abstract

In general, hand palms are usually moved as if they draw a “8 shape” in sculling action. Although various types of sculling actions exist according to its operation and purposes, all the sculling actions are almost the same in its function which produces lift force in reciprocating movement. Configurations of the hand palms are not standardized but empirically decided by coaches and athletes. In this research, the hydrodynamic characteristics of five kinds of palms were investigated to find a configuration which generates the maximal resultant force as a basic study of steady state flow field