Estimating the hydrodynamic forces during eggbeater kicking by pressure distribution analysis

This study investigates the reliability and validity of the estimation of the hydrodynamic forces during eggbeater kicking (a water-treading technique) by pressure distribution analysis (PDA). Our PDA procedure is very similar to that used in a previous study concerning breaststroke kicking (Tsunokawa et al., 2015). In this method, the force estimation is limited to a particular part of the body. However, unlike previous analyses, the PDA method obtains dynamic fluid forces under unsteady flow conditions without requiring cumbersome motion analysis in water. Twelve participants completed the eggbeater kicking activity under four load conditions (0, 1, 2 and 3 weights), and the hydrodynamic forces acting on their right foot are detected by the pressure sensors. To confirm the reliability of our PDA using successive tests, five participants are additionally made to complete the activity under a no-load condition. Further, the PDA is validated in a linear regression analysis of the mean resultant force calculated using the PDA method versus the applied vertical load. The reliability evaluation yields a high degree of coincidence (r = 0.99) and a mean effort of 4.1%. In the validity test, the net vertical loads are significantly correlated with the estimated forces [coefficient of determination (r(2) = 0.91–1.00)]. Therefore, the PDA method is a reliable and valid estimator of eggbeater kicking.