Computer Graphics for Improvement of Springboard Diving

AREA OF RESEARCH

Application of 3D computer graphics techniques for analysis of body postures during initiation and execution of springboard dives.

PROJECT NAME

Computer Graphics for Improvement of Springboard Diving (Funded by the US Diving Foundation, Grant # 96-21)

DATES

January, 1996

RESEARCHER

Semyon S. Slobounov Ph. D., Assistant Professor, Department of Kinesiology, PSU

TECHNICAL CONSULTANT

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

DEPARTMENT

Kinesiology

DESCRIPTION

The technology and method developed in this project will be used as an educational tool by the United States National Coaches and Divers to enhance the understanding of effective whole body postures associated with execution of different diving categories. The interactive software which trigger the animation of 34 degrees of freedom body model from a six degrees of freedom modular tracker "Flock of birds"(FOB) from Ascension Technology Corporation was partly developed for this project. The kinematic parameters, such as linear and angular displacement, of the performed movement obtained form FOB can be processed into the velocity and acceleration for further analysis.

The initial body posture and position of receivers on the body segments.

The on-line feedback from the computer monitor screen for the posture associated with initiation of back dive.

The on-line feedback for the posture associated with initiating of the "loading" phase of execution of backward dive.

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:

Slobounov S.M., Slobounov E. S. "Computer Graphics in Diving", Grand #96-21, United States Diving Foundation. Quarter Report 1. March 31, 1996.

Slobounov S.M., Slobounov E. S. "Computer Graphics in Diving", Grand #96-21, United States Diving Foundation. Quarter Report 2. June 31, 1996.

Slobounov S.M., Slobounov E. S. " Manual for software package Diver," Grand #96-21, United States Diving Foundation. June 31, 1996.

Miscellaneous Information

• The first and second quarter reports were submitted to the United States Diving Foundation.
• The interactive software based on "Flock of Birds" tracking system was estimated as applicable for dry land preparation.
• 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.

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