By harnessing the power of technology, Paralympic swimmers are gaining unprecedented insights into their performances, which empowers them to chase their dreams of gold in Paris and beyond.
One such device, resembling a fishing rod handle, is being used to measure the instantaneous speed, acceleration, and power of athletes as they move through the water. Attached to the athlete's body on one end and held by researchers on the other, the device transmits real-time biomechanical data to a computer, allowing athletes and coaches to optimize speed distribution.
"The device is connected to the end that I hold by a cord. The chip inside can connect to my computer, allowing us to calculate the distance the cord is pulled each frame, and from that, the acceleration. It can help us analyze the change in velocity over the cycle," said Li Shudong, a teacher at Ningbo University's School of Sports Science.
A more AI-driven system is added for more analysis, with underwater and poolside cameras automatically capturing and stitching together multi-angle footage. Advanced AI models then track key body points and provide objective feedback on the athlete's speed, angles, and trajectories, helping coaches and athletes identify areas for improvement.
"For example, when an athlete enters the water like this – his body forms a 'banana shape' – he will feel an obviously increased drag. The solution is to make the body slightly less than 180 degrees at the point of entry, allowing for a more streamlined entry," Li said in explaining how the system works.
For athletes like Zhang Li, who was born with cerebral palsy and relies only on her arms to propel herself through the water, these technologies are game-changers. Zhang claimed six golds and one silver medal at the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2021 Paralympics, and is now using the cutting-edge system to strive for faster results.
"The margins between us in the same disability class are just fractions of a second. The technology allows us to more clearly and objectively compare and identify where we can improve, and where we are left behind," said Zhang, a member of China's 2024 Paralympic swimming team.
These advancements are also benefiting visually impaired athletes, like Yang Bozun, a five-time Paralympic swimmer who will be competing in Paris. Yang now trains with the added assistance of earphones, which allow his coach to provide instant feedback and instructions on his movements and timing while in the water.
"Even in the pool, the instructions from the coach come through the earphones clearly. If they notice something off with my movement, they can immediately remind me, and I can correct it at once. Knowing when to accelerate, when to slow down, when to turn, and when to sprint to the wall - this real-time feedback has reduced a lot of injuries. It's a warm comfort for us athletes," said Yang.
Cutting-edge tech empowers Paralympian athletes ahead of Paris games
