We are excited to announce that the research paper titled “The Real-Time Classification of Competency Swimming Activity Through Machine Learning” (MS #1660) by Larry Powell, Seth Polsley, Drew Casey, and Tracy Hammond has been published in the prestigious International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education.
Drowning incidents claim the lives of approximately 3,536 people in America every year, highlighting the need for improved water safety awareness and swimming proficiency. Existing studies on swimming activity recognition and motion sensors primarily focus on lap swimming by expert swimmers, neglecting freeform activities. To address this gap, the team aimed to enhance swimming education using wearable technology that enables individuals to learn efficient swimming techniques and water safety measures.
The researchers successfully developed a groundbreaking wearable system capable of storing and processing sensor data in real-time on a mobile device. The system utilizes novel sensor placement, hardware and app design, and a rigorous research process to achieve accurate activity recognition. Data collected from swimmers of varying skill levels, from beginners to elite swimmers, was analyzed. By employing angle-based novel features as inputs into optimal machine learning algorithms, the team achieved impressive classification results, accurately identifying flip turns, traditional competitive strokes, and survival swimming strokes.
Furthermore, the researchers explored deep learning techniques and created a Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model that achieved a remarkable 95% accuracy in real-time classification of competitive and survival swimming strokes on a mobile device.
This publication marks a significant contribution to the field of swimming activity recognition and highlights the potential of wearable technology in revolutionizing swimming education. The findings offer valuable insights for improving water safety awareness and enhancing swimming proficiency among individuals of all skill levels.
Congratulations to Larry Powell, Seth Polsley, Drew Casey, and Tracy Hammond on their outstanding research and publication in the International Journal of Aquatic Research and Education. Their work paves the way for future advancements in swimming education and water safety practices.