A correct organization, the interest of the media and, obviously, the performance of sportsmen, explain the spectacular nature of the World Swimming Championship held in Barcelona. The fifteen world records managed to attract the attention of the media and the interest of the general public as the championship made progress.
It is not easy to explain how such records can be reached and a study in depth is necessary; for this reason, a research group of the University of Granada has taken part in the Research Project for the Competition Analysis of the World Championship (subsidized by the Specialized Sports Training Centre of Sant Cugat and the Championship Organization Committee).
The aim of the study has been to analyse temporarily each semifinal and final to find out which technical components have influenced to a lesser or greater extent in the sportsmen performance. Variables like start time, swimming time, turn time, arrival time, cycle length, cycle frequency, etc. were analysed in each entrant length by length. Results provided to entrants and press every day directly and to the general public at the championship web page (www.bcn03.org) have allowed to study in detail how swimmers get their best times or fail in their attempt.
Analysis were particularly applied to the case of the Spanish swimmer Nina Zyvaneskaya, who changed her strategy in the 50 m. backstroke after a dissapointing fourth place in the 100 m. backstroke, thanks, in part, to the data contributed by the study to the national coach. After that she got the gold medal.
The research project has obtained several records in its field of study:
a) a digital video system that captured the signal of four video cameras in real time was applied for the first time;
b) analysis were carried out applying an image recognition program that used artificial vision techniques, which made semi-authomatic data obtention easier;
c) researchers recorded data in different computers connected in net, which allowed to analyse the same event in a shared way and carry out analysis just two hours after the competition was finished, showing the results in the championship web page;
d) 80 events, 640 entries and 2,336 lengths were analysed.
The project, coordinated by Xavier Ballius (CAR de Sant Cugat), has had the participation of the research group “Physical and Sports Activity in Water Environment CTS-907”, directed by Professor Raúl Arellano (Department of Physical and Sports Education of the University of Granada), with high experience in this sort of analysis, both in national and international competitions. The group was made up of researchers Blanca de la Fuente, Esther Morales, José María Sánchez-Garrido, Paula del Río and other Spanish researchers.
Reference: Prof. Raúl Arellano Colomina. Department of Physical and Sports Education. University of Granada. Phone numbers: 958-244388 / 958-158731
