Computer Graphics for Balance Improvement in Springboard Diving

AREA OF RESEARCH

Postural control and balance improvement during preparation, initiation and execution of springboard dives.

PROJECT NAME

Computer Graphics for Balance Improvement in Springboard Diving (Funded by the US Diving Foundation, Grant # 95-21)

DATES

October, 1995

RESEARCHER

Semyon S. Slobounov Ph. D., Assistant Professor, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, PSU

TECHNICAL CONSULTANT

Ron O'Brien Ph. D., National Technical Director, United States Diving

DEPARTMENT

Kinesiology

DESCRIPTION

The software developed in this project is being used as an educational tool by United States Olympic coaches to enhance the effectiveness of the training process. The software generates a fast, realtime, approximation of a 3-D model of a flexible diver's torso and flexible springboard. The modeling permits all possible body configurations of a diver, and all springboard positions. The software interface is intuitive and comfortable, and provides realtime response on the computer display.

The parameters of body joint angles can be obtained from either video records or by interacting with a program user. This provides an opportunity for coaches and divers to elaborate on a set of keyframes revealing the most significant components to be improved or mastered for particular dives. The software also provides the basis for estimating the similarities and differences in the divers and coaches notions about ideal diving performances. Additionally, these notions can be compared with the athletes actual diving performances (obtained from video records) and the best world performances of the same diving catagories.

The software allows one to interactively change the point of observation in real time while providing a variety of manipulations with keyframes: comparison of multiple keyframes, selecting the right keyframes from the redundant set of body configurations, and, organizing a randomly presented set of keyframes in the proper order.

Keyframes for back dive pike in random order.

The same set of keyframes organized by the program user in the proper order.

VISUALIZATION CREDITS

Elena S. Slobounov

Programming and Animation

Software was developed using GL & C compilers

Hardware: Silicon Graphics workstation Indigo2, IRIX 5.3

elena-slobounov@psu.edu

George Otto

Modelling and Animation:

Software: Wavefront Advanced Visualizer, Composer

Hardware: Silicon Graphics Indigo2 XZ

george-otto@psu.edu

PUBLICATION:

S. Slobounov, E. Slobounov, G. Otto, R. Masters. "Computer Graphics for Balance Improvement in Springboard Diving," Grand #95-21, United States Diving Foundation. Final Report. October 31, 1995.

S. Slobounov, E. Slobounov, G. Otto, R. Masters.& R.O'Brien."Computer Visualization for Balance Improvement in Springboard Diving" U.S.Diving Sport Science Seminar Proceedings, Houston TX, September 1995.

S. Slobounov, E. Slobounov." Computer Graphics Visulization for Psychological Rehabilitation of Injured Athletes". Journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, 1995 NASPSPA Abstracts, V.17 Supplement 1995, p.S97.

MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION:

• The computer animation and final report were submited to the United States Diving Foundation (October 1995)
• The computer animation was demonstrated during the presentation on the USA National Diving Convention (Houston, Texas, November 1995)
• The software was used during the USA Olympic Diving Camp in Indianapolis (December 1995) as a tool for communication enhancement between US divers and their coaches. The preliminary study was conducted during this Training Camp. The results are currently under consideration.

Please send questions or suggestions about this web page to vizgroup@psu.edu

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