Durham, N.C. – Two state-of-the-art technologies, ZenoLink and CoachView/Strokeview, are collaborating with researchers at Duke University in a ground-breaking study of rip entry for competitive divers.
ZenoLink is an advanced 3-D Motion Analysis technology that helps expose the strengths and weaknesses of athletes’ movements. CoachView/Strokeview specializes in high-definition video capture.
The companies are assisting Drew Johansen, head diving coach at Duke, and Dr. Eric J. Hegedus, an associate professor at the Duke University School of Medicine, and his Duke colleague Dr. Jennifer Moody in a study of the efficiency of divers as they enter the water. The researchers hope to learn more about the dynamics of water entry and how divers can control movements that affect water displacement, which would minimize splash and help competitors score better in the entry component of judging competitions.
“I have been coaching for over 20 years and have participated in many studies with USA Diving, the USOC and international collaborations; and I believe we have broken new ground in the diving world,” said Johansen. “We are utilizing state of the art technology combined with top minds in three different fields of study to understand technique, learn physical demands and find new information to create new training plans for the most important skill in the sport of diving.”
Johansen lauded the support he and Hegedus have received from ZenoLink and CoachView/StrokeView. The results of the study, he said, will help American divers excel on the world stage.
“To have a group like this study the movement and learn the technique in an effort to help the athlete reduce the risk of injury, as well as build the necessary strength needed to excel and stay healthy, can take Team USA to the next level on the international stage,” said Johansen. “For the first time I am working with a group that is not just collecting data – this group is looking for answers.”
Hegedus said the research effort is unprecedented in the sport of diving.
“How lucky we are to have people who are so dedicated to injury prevention and improved performance in athletes that they would donate their valuable time, substantial knowledge and cutting edge resources to the cause,” he said. “I am sure there are other cases out there, but I am unaware of a team of coaches, biomedical engineers, physical therapists, and an industry technology expert who work together so seamlessly and without a trace of ego, despite the stellar careers each has away from this venture.”
Chris Welch is the biomechanical engineer who founded ZenoLink, which is based in Endicott, N.Y. The company uses video to take highly sophisticated, research level biomechanical measurements and create a 3-D model of an athlete’s unique movement characteristics.
“I can’t tell you how gratifying it is to employ ZenoLink technology in this study,” said Welch. “Working with SrokeView has enabled us to capture images never seen before in diving. And we couldn’t ask for more energetic, knowledgeable partners than Drew, Eric and Jennifer to help us sort through the data and use it to create practical training applications.”
Jim Klinger is the creator of StrokeView LLC, which is based in Greensboro, N.C.
“We are excited about this unique opportunity to combine our hi-def above water video capture and our multi-camera underwater technology to meet the video standards necessary for ZenoLink to produce a sports analysis study of this magnitude,” said Klinger. “Our video capture technology is the perfect match for the demands of this nature.”
The study team recently concluded two days of intensive data gathering at Duke. They are currently engaged in data analysis and expect to present their findings in the coming months.
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