How does a hydrodynamic flume channel work?
Usually when we refer to the term Aquatic Activities we immediately think of the possibility of moving in stagnant water, that is, although we think of the sea that is usually in motion, the water remains in the same place and we move our body through it. It would be the equivalent of running on an athletics track or covering a distance.
When we think of running in a gymnasium, we immediately think of a treadmill where the treadmill is moving and we remain static in the same place.
If we transfer this idea to water, we have a continuous stream of water that moves while the athlete remains in the same place. This portion of water moves in block by all the pool enabled for athletes covering dimensions of 7 meters long by 4 meters wide and 1.35 deep.
The pool has an underwater side window from which the athlete can be seen in motion.
This space can function as a conventional pool, totally stopped, or as a river with a maximum constant speed of 2.5 meters/second, which corresponds to 29 km/hour in any means of locomotion.
Thus he thinks that the maximum speed can be 29 km/hour. If we compare this speed with the average that Usain Bolt, current record holder in the 100 meter sprint, can obtain, it is almost 42 km/hour, but running for a few seconds (9.58 from start to finish).
If we go cycling we can compare the maximum speed of the channel, swimming, with the average cycling speed during the Tour de France, which is 42.026 km/hour.
If we compare this directly in swimming, the current men’s 50-meter world record is 20.91 seconds, which corresponds to 2.39 meters/second, while the women’s world record is 23.67 seconds, which corresponds to 2.11 meters/second.
From this point of view, in swimming, we must consider that what is usually measured in swimming is the average speed (valuing the central part of the pool, not counting starts and turns, whose speed is usually higher).
This flow channel has multiple possibilities of work in different aspects. If we start from the aquatic activities approach, this tool is suitable to develop each one of them in a specific way.
In the utilitarian field, both in its use as a conventional pool and using the movement of water to develop positions and perception of the properties of water or develop activities that facilitate the contents developed at this stage as part of the process is a tool that facilitates the approach.
In the educational field, in its development in deep pool in some age groups, can serve as a means of enrichment of positions, sensations and physical content of the student in this environment, and can develop cross-cutting content with knowledge of the natural and social environment, art education, physical education, etc..
In the recreational field, a multitude of games can be developed that involve the aquatic environment and the current as a means of displacement or thrust in one direction or another.
The health fields, both in special populations, for its accessibility
or for its possibilities of physical
or rehabilitation and readaptation
In this same sense it can be used as physical conditioning with activities of different types, to which the difficulty of the current is added, being able to add greater possibilities of progression in the SWEAT formula (Sanders and Vargas, 2001).
On the other hand, the flow channel can also be used as a moment of rehabilitation or rehabilitation phase of injuries of sedentary and athletes, also adding the possibility of introducing the movement of water in their work progressions, with all the benefits that the aquatic environment has in that sense, and adds those of the current against in our case.
This type of work should obviously always be combined with dry work, taking advantage of the advantages and differences between the two environments.
To develop both rehabilitation and readaptation in this environment, where different professions develop and share their work.
In the case of training, both in training periods, amateur athletes, masters and high level of water sports, have multiple possibilities of development.
To facilitate this vision, we will develop different possibilities from a triple perspective associated with training.
The functional systems on which training is built (Lopez-Chicharro, 2006), are: Motor system – cardiovascular system – physiological system.
Although under normal conditions, it is often difficult to separate them completely, we will approach it from this perspective from a didactic point of view.
The balance of these is modified depending on the sport or the distances, it is what makes the difference in the training designs.
1.- The development of the motor system in the flow channel can be used from the following points of view:
1.1.- Development of qualitative technique aspects.
From this point of view, it deals directly as well as by means of filming in three dimensions and its later immediate visualization, to modify technical aspects related to each of the sections that compose this section:
- Body position and breathing
- Arm movement
- Leg movement
- General coordination
In all styles (M-E-B-C) and in MOS for any level.
Often this type of information is more valuable in the learning and training stages.
In this section it is possible to train in swimming as well as in drills or skills :
1.2.- Desarrollo de técnica cuantitativa
This refers to the type of technique that relates the effectiveness of the movements, swimming with the minimum number of strokes or kicks possible, to the efficiency, when the variable speed or time is introduced.
In this sense it is much simpler to perceive the optimal number of strokes for each speed or intensity domain, relating the perception of effort to that value. Since the speed is predetermined, it is much easier to discover what the value or the equilibrium point is before the water drags you out of the selected location, over the line marked on the bottom.
These efficiency values can be marked with the stroke control, the time that elapses between strokes (frequency meter) or with a timer (tempo trainer).
Infographic
1.3.- Development of superspeed vs. endurance values
The work of maximum stroke or kick frequency to break the rhythms set by the CNS can be developed in this tool, by setting speeds higher than the usual swimming speeds, and trying to stay in place.
It would be the equivalent of the assisted speed that we can visualize running or cycling downhill (pedaling at maximum speed) or the works that are usually done for assisted speed in favor of elastic ropes in swimming pool.
In the channel it is also possible to add material such as fins that would increase the frequency of movement.
In the same way, the use of material such as mittens or parachutes to improve efficiency, or specific power of the sporting gesture, is not incompatible with the possibility of increasing the progression with the current against the current.
These loads can be evaluated by means of a load cell or Smart paddles.
1.4.- Active-passive resistance assessment
Connected to the previous point, the channel is a tool where we can easily assess, with a load cell, the resistance offered by the body at different speeds.
By holding on to a rope attached to a load cell, with the body in a sliding position, we can know what force our body opposes at different speeds without moving from the site.
This aspect can be easily measured to assess the resistance offered by certain training or competition materials (swimsuits, snorkels to facilitate body position, goggles, etc).
Along the same lines, we can assess the force applied by an athlete in each stroke or kick in a simple way, attached to a load cell, at different speeds.
We can also assess the hydrostatic weight with a Roman weight, with the material of the flow channel, placing a known weight and subtracting it from the total.
As in each of the sections, and given that it is impossible to develop each aspect in depth, or that many aspects may be subject to the creativity of technicians and biomechanics, we can leave a margin for this type of projects or ideas for future development and of which we will provide information.
2.- Within the cardiovascular system
The flow channel is the ideal place to perform progressive step tests, since it is easier for athletes to comply with the speeds requested in each step because it is the water that moves, and he only has to stay in the space, the agreed time and with the requested parameters.
From there you can see what happens with these parameters: frequency and cycle length (and even film them to see them later), or pulsations and energy expenditure.
In the same way, the stability of the technique can be evaluated in each intensity zone or by time periods (both qualitatively and quantitatively, and other cardiovascular parameters can be measured).
From this didactic point of view, we can also include in this space the training sessions themselves, or the maintenance of time in a zone, via technique, cardiovascular training.
Finally, we can combine parameters in the channel and in the pool and for this we show a training model in the following link ;
3.- Development of the physiological system
Within the physiological system we can use the channel with all the above parameters for physiological measurements physiological measurements.
Both in progressions and in certain intensity domains in order to assess what happens in our body with these characteristics, measuring the internal load parameters within our reach.
Likewise, assessments or tactical training in effort management can be carried out to decide the speed of partial tests (broken series – simulators or mental training of permanence during a certain time).
Written by:
Dr. Tomás Barreda
Personal trainer and biomechanics specialist
Tomás Hernández Barreda is from Tenerife. He has practiced competitive swimming and water polo until he was 18 years old, when he started coaching different swimming teams, combining these activities with work in several gyms on the island.
Currently, he trains different athletes in various disciplines, work that he combines with activities as a speaker at various lectures and courses in Tenerife Top Training.
Private reservations
The flume can be booked for individual tests with verbal feedback for all levels. There is also the option of booking for groups.
Team reservations
Contact us and we will help you to manage the booking of your team. You can check availability of facilities, hotel and make other arrangements.