Australia launches one of world's most high-tech training pools

The Australian Sports Commission has officially launched the state-of-the-art Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Recovery and Swimming Centre, which boasts a new high-tech 10-lane, 50-metre pool integrating a range of performance analysis devices and biomechanical systems purpose built exclusively for the training, testing and development of Australian swimmers.

The AUS$17m Recovery and Swimming Centre in Canberra is being hailed as one of most technologically-advanced pools of its kind in the world.

The pool is also built and surveyed to the official FINA standard; its uniform three-metre depth and high-quality filtration system is designed for fast swimming.

New hydrotherapy and recovery facilities will greatly assist elite swimmers in recovering from intense training. This includes three spa baths with a variety of jets, a plunge pool, a cold water walk through and a river for active recovery and stretching.

A range of high-tech performance analysis devices and biomechanical systems - instrumented start blocks and instrumented turn walls, timing gates, filming trolleys and strategically-placed cameras - will be packed into the new pool - will monitor and measure the technique and action of AIS swimmers over various stages of race distances. Markings along side and bottom of the pool indicate key swimming distances.

At the click of a mouse, AIS coaches and scientists can instantly to tap into a vast wealth of data and video footage including force, velocity and stroke characteristics related to every aspect of the AIS swimmer's free swimming, starts and turns.

Coaches and sports scientists will be equipped with powerful tools to observe, analyse, fine tune and perfect the technique, actions and performance of AIS swimmers.

Coaches and sports scientists will enjoy extra sets of eyes to observe and analyse the performance of AIS swimmers during training drills and simulated competition; 24 cameras fixed above, under water and around the pool will constantly capture video footage of almost every aspect of AIS swimmers in action.

The new facility will play an integral part in preparing Australian athletes and teams for competition in the lead-up to the World Championships and the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

It is expected that the AIS Recovery and Swimming Centre will also become the national training base for Australian swimming and to attract significant interest internationally. The pool will be also be used as a science lab to conduct cutting-edge research in areas like computational fluid dynamics.

Key elements of the redevelopment project such as the AIS Services Hub and new athlete residences will boost the capacity and resources of the Institute's Sports Science and Medicine Division, which focuses on maximising the performance of elite athletes.

Technical information on new AIS Recovery and Swimming Centre

Moveable boom - allows flexibility to quickly change the length of the pool without the need to swap lane ropes for short course and other distances. (The lane ropes pass through the boom rather than attach to it.) Large lane rope markers will reduce turbulence.

High-quality water filtration - allows for a completely clear underwater view of the full length of pool which contributes to underwater filming.

Enclosed and open-air - open pool walls and roof windows maximise the use of natural light and enhance training conditions.

Underwater viewing - windows allow easy viewing of swimmers at the end of each lane and from side windows.

Magnetic Timing System - raised from the floor at key distances to measure split times at specific distances from the end wall which make up key components of a race.

Filming Control Room - this air-conditioned environment for computer equipment allows all video, data, and voice communications to be patched through to computer facilities to monitor the technique and performance of elite swimmers. Two control rooms contain a large plasma screen which swimmers can view without getting out of the pool.

3D magnetic computerised modelling system - creates accurate 3D skeletal frame model of the swimmer while actually swimming. Allows for computerised model analysis of the swimmer's action.

Digital displays - future panels will provide read-outs at the pool end to provide instant feedback about the technique and performance of AIS swimmers.

Resistance training devices - (bungy cords) can be fitted to tracks in lanes 2 and 7.

Pacing lights system - could be installed down the track.

Performance analysis devices and biomechanical systems

Instrumented start blocks - measures the force, acceleration, angle and timing of swimmers off the blocks.

Instrumented wall - concealed behind touch pads on three lanes , these provide data on force, acceleration, push off angle and timing for the swimmer's turns and backstroke starts.

Camera tracking - above and below water camera angles provide coordinated video footage of swimmers. Permanent concealed tracks allow the camera trolley to move alongside a swimmer. Analysis data and video images are fed into the video control room linked to AIS IT systems as well as being displayed on the plasma screen as part of the biomechanical analysis process.

State-of-the-art hydrotherapy and recovery centre

Provides a wide range of recovery options for both active (walking, stretching) and passive recovery in both warm (28-38 degrees C) and cold water (11 degrees C).

Source: Australian Sports Commission