The basics of competitive diving and its injuries.

On the roof of a burial vault in Naples, Italy, is a painting of a young man diving from a narrow platform. The Tomba del Tuffatore (the Tomb of the Diver) constructed in 480 BC is the earliest documented evidence of the sport of diving. The evolution of diving can be traced to the seventeenth century, when German and Swedish gymnasts moved their equipment to the beaches and performed acrobatics over the water. Thus, diving is closely related to gymnastics, with the additional factor of entry into a water medium. The first “modern-day” diving competition was held in England around 1880. At the 1904 Olympic Games in St. Louis, Missouri, men's springboard diving was included as part of the swimming program. Platform diving was added at the 1908 Olympics in London, England. The recognition of women's diving did not occur until 1912 when “plain” high diving was added to the Olympics. Springboard diving followed in 1920, and “fancy” high diving in 1928. In the early 1900s there were only 14 platform and 20 springboard dives being performed in competition. Today, there are 77 springboard and 97 platform dives possible. The difficulty of dives has increased dramatically, from a double somersault from platform being considered dangerous in 1904, to the common performance of the reverse three and one-half somersault today. With the increasing difficulty of dives being performed, there have been changes in the associated techniques, intensity, and frequency of training, and a commensurate increase in the incidence of injuries. The format for Olympic competition involves 3-meter springboard and 10-meter platform events for men and women. United States National and other international competitions, including the World Championships, include 1-meter springboard, and synchronized diving for 3-meter springboard and 10-meter platform. During the course of an event, the competitor must demonstrate proficiency in forward, backward, reverse, inward, and twisting dives. Male platform divers must perform a dive from the armstand group. Although this is not required of women, more are electing the armstand position for an optional dive. Upon leaving the board or platform, the diver can assume one of the following positions: straight (no flexion at either the hips or knees); pike (flexion at the hips only); tuck (flexion at the hips and knees); or free (a combination of the other three positions used in some twisting dives). A diver must perform from 9 to 11 dives, depending on the event. Approximately half the dives are optional, and half are voluntary (formerly called “required” or “compulsory”). Each dive is assigned a degree of difficulty from 1.2 to 3.6. The total degree of difficulty of the voluntary dives may not exceed a predetermined, event-dependent maximum number. The optional dives are without limit with regard to degree of difficulty. 12 The dives are scored by a panel of seven judges, based on the approach, takeoff, elevation, technique, and grace exhibited in the air, the angle of entry, and the amount of splash. Because a dive is not completed until the diver's body is completely submerged, the score may be increased by altering the underwater trajectory in order to allow the feet to enter the water at the same place as the hands, thus minimizing the amount of splash. This is referred to as “saving” a dive.