Meyn JP (2026)
Publication Type: Journal article
Publication year: 2026
Open Access Link: https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6404/ae569f
The phyphox app reads the acceleration sensor of a smartphone underwater while swimming. The app processes the raw data to determine the swimmer's speed over time. Certain body movements are identified in the speed function, such as an increase in speed caused by the arm pull. Depending on their prior knowledge, university students can reproduce the experiment with appropriate guidance or independently. However, the speed function cannot be calculated directly by integrating the acceleration data due to error caused by sensor noise. Additional measurements and assumptions must be made to obtain absolute speed values. Evaluating and critically using data promotes the development of skills in acquiring knowledge in physics. The results of the measurement can also help refine the swimmer's stroke and improve its efficiency. Thus, the presented method is not merely an exercise but a meaningful application of smartphone sensors.
APA:
Meyn, J.-P. (2026). Swimming kinematics analyzed with a smartphone. European Journal of Physics. https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6404/ae569f
MLA:
Meyn, Jan-Peter. "Swimming kinematics analyzed with a smartphone." European Journal of Physics (2026).
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