No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

Aquatic propulsion by means of undulatory movements of the median (dorsal and anal) fins is the primary mode of transport for the Picasso triggerfish (Rhinecanthus aculeatus). Known as balistiform locomotion, this form of propulsion is an adaptation for highly efficient movement within complex environments such as coral reefs. A principle component of balistiform locomotion has been the development of momentum enhancement, a fin-force multiplier that increases swimming efficiency. This study examines the kinematics and energetics of balistiform locomotion employing theoretical models of thrust, power, and efficiency. Thrust and power were calculated and compared with theoretical values modeled by Lighthill and Blake (1990). This model has heretofore not been thoroughly vetted and was tested for accuracy and applicability. Thrust force was estimated from resistance (drag) using a vertical dead drop to determine terminal velocity; power was calculated from oxygen consumption measurements at different speeds. The Lighthill and Blake (1990) model requires median fin kinematics (frequency, wavelength, amplitude, wave angle), which were measured from high-speed videography and followed statistically predicted trends with frequency being the dominant variable, and the others changing little or not at all with speed. Momentum enhancement was found to be 3.6, close to Lighthill and Blake’s (1990) theoretically predicted value of 2.5. Momentum enhancement is experimentally proven here for the first time. Theoretical and empirical thrust force values are closely matched; theoretical thrust is greater at lower speeds and lower at higher speeds. The ratio of theoretical thrust to drag-estimated thrust averages 1.08. Theoretical values for power are greater than those measured by a factor of about 3.6 and cannot be explained by measurement error.

Summary Swimming is the most suitable branch of athletics for people with various handicaps. Much research is done and many scientific articles are written in foreign countries on the benefits of swimming for the handicapped, therefore there should be no doubt about it. In Lithuania however, little attention is paid to handicapped swimming. Desiring that the handicapped should reach higher levels of achievement, young swimmers should pay more attention to this sport. Because of this reason our objective is to determine disabled adolescents, their parents, swimming couches and municipality council members of Kaunas city attitude toward swimming for disabled like social phenomenon Our tasks were: 1. To determine handicapped adolescent’s knowledge’s about swimming as social phenomenon. 2. To determine handicapped adolescent’s attitude toward swimming training for disabled. 3. To determine handicapped adolescent’s parent’s attitude toward swimming training for disabled. 4. To determine coacher’s from Kaunas city attitude toward disabled children in their swimming classes. 5. To determine the attitude, about swimming for disabled, of municipality council members of Kaunas city and their abilities to improve swimming adaptation for disabled. Used methods: 1. Literature review, 2. Questionnaires, 3. Mathematical statistics We found out that the knowledge of handicapped adolescents about swimming as a branch of athletics is weak and is not dependent on their impairment. Disabled... [to full text]

Graduation date: 2006

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Indiana University, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 261-274). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Indiana University, Dept. of Kinesiology, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 267-274).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Washington, 1998. / Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. [118]-136).

Thesis (M.S.)--Springfield College, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.