Hydrodynamic drag and lift forces on human hand/arm models

Optimization of oar blade design for improved performance in rowing

“…In order to compare the fluid dynamic characteristics of different oar blade designs, it is therefore appropriate to calculate and compare the force coefficients in order to discount any influence of relative fluid velocity, fluid density, and blade size. Caplan and Gardner (2005) presented a method for determining the force coefficients of model oar blades in a water flume using a quasi-static approach similar to that used in both swimming and kayaking research (Berger et al, 1995;Sumner et al, 2003). It was shown that the data was independent of Reynolds number above 9.44 x 10 4 (Caplan & Gardner, 2006) which agreed well with previously published data (Berger et al, 1995;Bixler & Riewald, 2002).…”

“…Caplan and Gardner (2005) presented a method for determining the force coefficients of model oar blades in a water flume using a quasi-static approach similar to that used in both swimming and kayaking research (Berger et al, 1995;Sumner et al, 2003). It was shown that the data was independent of Reynolds number above 9.44 x 10 4 (Caplan & Gardner, 2006) which agreed well with previously published data (Berger et al, 1995;Bixler & Riewald, 2002). It was also shown that the Big Blade oar blade design, although having similar lift and drag coefficients when the angle of attack between the oar blade and water was between 90-180°, did not perform significantly better than a simple flat equivalent of the Big Blade at angles of attack below 90°…”

Investigation of the Unsteady Mechanism in the Generation of Propulsive Force While Swimming Using a Synchronized Flow Visualization and Motion Analysis System

“…The next critical contribution was made by Schleihauf (1979), who measured the lift and drag forces on hand models for various geometrical configurations of flow. Berger et al (1995) carried out similar measurements using hand and arm models in fixed geometrical configurations within a flow and obtained the results consistent with those of Schleihauf. Subsequently, Bixler and Riewald (2002) used a numerical approach under a scenario similar to the experiments described above.…”

Individual–Environment Interactions in Swimming: The Smallest Unit for Analysing the Emergence of Coordination Dynamics in Performance?

“…Force transducers registered the swimmers' forces on the pads, but a major limitation of this analysis is that fluid behaviours were not considered since the swimmers gained support from these artificial fixed pads. Berger et al [47] then evaluated the forces using an arm and hand model in a towing tank. Force transducers were appropriately used to evaluate arm drag and lift forces, but this passive assessment of propulsion still did not provide any information on the flow configurations that emerge during action.…”