Equipment To Measure Reaction Time In Swimming

When you're a swimmer, hundredths of second can make the difference in a race. Whether you're sprinting for an Olympic trial or simply seeking to be first to the wall at a recreational meet, your coaches measure your swim to help improve each race. Reaction time in swimming is measured by a variety of tools, some new and some that have been around since the clock was invented.

Types

Most swim parents and swimmers are familiar with the stopwatch. This simple device can not only tell you how fast you raced, but also give you split times per lap, identify your speed off the blocks and also time your turns. More advanced swimmers may use videos to measure their reaction time -- using super slow motion to break down each start, dive and finish. Elite swimmers often use mirrors on the bottom of the pool placed at the start to check their streamline and turns, as well as mid-lap to check their form. Scientists use a device called the SMART Balance Master device to identify reaction to changes in balance to assess hand and eye coordination.

Time Frame

Swimming reaction time is most often measured in the water, where essentially the entire race occurs. Most typically, mirrors, stopwatches and videos are the equipment of choice for water-based reaction-time analysis. However, a race starts on the blocks, and starts and dives are critical to a good race. An Australian study published in "Sports Biomechanics" in 2002 used video to focus only on the three different types of starts that swimmers can use to identify which was fastest.

Features

Equipment that measures reaction time in swimming needs not only to be waterproof, but also capable of breaking times into very small increments. A swimmer, for example, doesn't need just to be told of an incorrect kick when turning off the wall. The equipment needs to show any potentially incorrect form in minute and slow detail, as swimming is often subjective in terms of foot placement during a kick, so that the swimmer can modify his training.

Function

By measuring reaction time, a swimmer can identify areas of improvement for training. As swimmers progress in the sport, technical training to focus on correct body position on the blocks, superior turn technique and overall stroke technique are critical. By measuring how a swimmer reacts in the water and out, a coach can better prepare her swimmer for a race and a swimmer can achieve faster races.

Potential

Just as the swimsuit has progressed to be more technologically savvy, so can equipment to measure reaction time. Technology is emerging that enables swimmers to wear equipment in the water. This equipment means coaches can give a swimmer immediate feedback on his swim and incorporate the information into the training session.