Finger Tension and Position in Your Stroke

Swimming is a sport of precision and technique which demands meticulous attention to every aspect of movement in the water. Among the subtleties often overlooked is the positioning and tension of fingers which play a pivotal role in enhancing swim efficiency and speed.

Understanding Fluid Dynamics and Finger Positioning

The physics of fluid dynamics forms the foundation for understanding optimal finger positioning. Fundamental factors affecting the drag coefficient of the hand include surface area, the boundary layer of water around the fingers, and the impact of vortices created by water flow.

Insights from Scientific Studies

Rigorous computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulations have shed light on optimal finger spacing in swimming:

• Studies suggest an ideal finger spacing range between 3 and 8 mm, promoting a relaxed hand position and potentially increasing the effective surface area of the hand by approximately 9%.

• Research findings indicate that a finger spread in this range could exert 5-10% greater force compared to tightly held fingers, as concluded by studies published in the Journal of Theoretical Biology.

Application and Training Insights

• Training methods emphasizing a slight separation between fingers, around 3-8mm depending on hand size, aim to increase propulsion without significantly increasing drag.

• Strengthening exercises for fingers, hands, and forearms can assist swimmers in maintaining optimal tension throughout the stroke phases – you need the strength to stay relaxed!

• Although I haven’t used them, swimmers that have difficulty in holding an open-finger technique may benefit from  https://aquaknuckles.com/ which forces your fingers to stay in the right open-finger position for the entire pull cycle. 

Conclusion

Finger tension and positioning is integral to maximizing efficiency and speed in the water. While debates and varying opinions persist, scientific studies emphasize the benefits of maintaining a relaxed hand position with a slight separation between fingers during swim strokes. Integrating this knowledge into training methodologies offers swimmers the potential for improved performance and stroke efficiency.