Olympics 2012: How to execute the perfect dive

Interested in what goes into the bio-mechanics of the perfect dive? USC Dornsife professor of biological sciences and biomedical engineering, Jill McNitt-Gray explains how science informs athletics as we watch USC elite divers in action. Professor McNitt-Gray is a scientist funded by the National Science Foundation. Video by: Mira Zimet, production assistant and second camera: Eric Weintraub.

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  Education

[FrontFlipCrew]

listen bud i'm better

[Alan Boom Stick]

Very informational, I thought they over critiqued it but now it makes sense. Thanks

[HardKore5250]

Is it dangerous?

[rchoetzlein]

Everything is does not necessarily happen at takeoff, as the video says. For twisting dives, one jumps up into the air, and then "sets" the dive by lowering the arms into a T-position. Just as the straight position allows angular rotation by throwing the arms down, the T-position allows rotation by throwing the arms inward (toward the head). Angular momentum is conserved because the arms and body started outward, and pulling them in increases rotational velocity until they are thrown out again.

[rchoetzlein]

This is not quite correct. I was a diver in college.. Rotation is not achieved by changing the direction takeoff, it is accomplished by "throwing down" while in the air. Angular momentum is conserved, but since the body enters the air straight, you have extra which you can trade by throwing the arms down (fast) toward your legs. This initiates rotation. To exit rotation you straighten out at just the right moment to enter the water straight.