Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026
08:47
Automated Analysis of C. elegans Swim Behavior Using CeleST Software
Published on: December 7, 2016
Added mass in human swimmers: age and gender differences
Cecilie Caspersen1, Petter A Berthelsen, Mari Eik
1Norwegian School of Sport Sciences, Oslo, Norway. ceciliecaspersen@hotmail.com
Journal of Biomechanics
|June 16, 2010
Summary
Researchers measured the added mass (M(a)) of water displaced by human swimmers. Results show added mass is approximately 25% of body mass, influenced by body size and shape, with women exhibiting less than men.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Fluid Dynamics
- Human Physiology
Background:
- During unsteady swimming, surrounding water is moved, acting as added mass (M(a)).
- Understanding added mass is crucial for analyzing swimming hydrodynamics and efficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the added mass in human swimmers.
- To investigate the influence of body shape and size on added mass.
- To compare added mass across different demographic groups (boys, women, men).
Main Methods:
- A system involving swimmers, springs, and a force cell was oscillated vertically.
- The period of oscillation was measured to calculate the added mass.
- Thirty subjects participated, including boys, women, and men.
Main Results:
- Relative added mass was approximately 26.8% for boys, 23.6% for women, and 26.8% for men.
- Women showed significantly lower added mass than men, suggesting shape influences.
- Body size was identified as a significant factor, with no difference between boys and men when scaled.
Conclusions:
- Added mass in human swimmers in a gliding position is roughly 1/4 of their body mass.
- Body shape and size are key determinants of added mass in swimmers.
- Findings suggest lower added mass values than previously reported in literature.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Body Water Content and Fluid Compartments
Life's biochemical processes occur within aqueous solutions. Solutes are substances that are dissolved within these solutions. The human body contains a variety of solutes, which can differ across various body parts. These can encompass proteins—such as those responsible for clotting and carbohydrate transport—as well as electrolytes. In medicine, an electrolyte is often described as a mineral ion derived from a salt possessing an electric charge. Examples include sodium ions (Na+) and chloride...
01:26Derivatives: Problem Solving
Temperature-Dependent Growth of Brook TroutThe growth of brook trout is closely influenced by water temperature. Experimental data demonstrate how trout weight changes over a 24-day period in response to varying water temperatures. At lower temperatures, such as 15.5 degrees Celsius, brook trout show significant weight gain. However, as the temperature increases, the amount of weight gained steadily decreases. At the highest temperature measured, 24.4 degrees Celsius, trout experience a net...
01:28Factors Affecting Body Temperature
As a nurse, it is vital to understand the factors affecting body temperature to monitor variations and effectively evaluate deviations from regular.
Factors may include:
Factors may include:
01:09Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age
The upper and lower limb initially develops as a small bulge called a limb bud, which appears on the lateral side of the early embryo. The upper limb bud appears near the end of the fourth week of development, with the lower limb bud appearing shortly after.
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
01:24Testing a Claim about Population Proportion
A complete procedure for testing a claim about a population proportion is provided here.
There are two methods of testing a claim about a population proportion: (1) Using the sample proportion from the data where a binomial distribution is approximated to the normal distribution and (2) Using the binomial probabilities calculated from the data.
The first method uses normal distribution as an approximation to the binomial distribution. The requirements are as follows: sample size is large...
There are two methods of testing a claim about a population proportion: (1) Using the sample proportion from the data where a binomial distribution is approximated to the normal distribution and (2) Using the binomial probabilities calculated from the data.
The first method uses normal distribution as an approximation to the binomial distribution. The requirements are as follows: sample size is large...
01:00Pharmacokinetics in Geriatric Patients: Effect of Age on Drug Distribution
Drug distribution in the human body is influenced by several factors, including plasma protein concentration, body composition, blood flow, tissue-protein concentration, and tissue fluid pH. Among these, changes in plasma protein concentration and body composition due to aging significantly affect how drugs are distributed within the body. Specifically, aging is associated with a decrease in albumin levels by about 10% and an increase in α1-acid glycoprotein levels. These alterations are not...