# Learning Swimming Techniques by Means of Real-Time Monitoring with Embedded Devices
## 2 Materials and Methods  
The study of human movement is a significant area of interest in both sports and medical research, as evidenced by the extensive body of literature on the subject. A quick search into research databases yields over 40,000 articles related to 'human swimming movement'. Many of these studies have contributed to the development of various devices and methods available on the market for tracking athletic performance and aiding medical rehabilitation.  
Below are several methods commonly used in swimming for learning, skill enhancement, or rehabilitation, depending on individual needs.  
* Coach  
In conventional sports training (like swimming), an experienced specialist guides the learning process. This individual possesses in-depth knowledge of the sport and provides structured instruction, including what actions to perform, how to execute them correctly, and when to apply specific techniques to optimize skill development [3].
* Gadgets  
Several gadgets are available on the market to assist in monitoring swimming exercises [4].  
For example, waterproof smartwatches can display metrics such as the time taken to swim a pool length, the number of lengths completed and, in some cases, the recognized swimming style. Additionally, these devices provide statistical analyses of swimming activity and can count the number of strokes performed. However, most of these devices are primarily limited to these functions, focusing on counting actions such as pool lengths, strokes, and time rather than providing deeper performance insights.
* Video training  
This method is designed for self-teaching and training, relying on instructional swimming videos that demonstrate proper techniques. Learners first observe these videos to understand swimming mechanics and then apply the acquired knowledge during in-pool practice [5].
* Embedded applications  
There is a growing interest in integrating embedded systems to enhance swimming performance. Approaches range from basic systems that count strokes, kicks, laps, and time [6] to more advanced solutions utilizing video processing [7] and motion sensors, such as accelerometers [8], for detailed analysis and technique improvement.  
The improvement of IoT (Internet of Things) technology made it possible to involve electronic devices almost everywhere. A similar case is presented below, where an electronic device is incorporated to assist in enhancing a swimmer's movements [9].  
This application is designed for dryland use and does not currently support underwater functionality [10]. A dryland swimming simulator has been developed, with plans for future enhancements to make it water resistant.  
For applications involving swimming movement (gesture) monitoring, several key components must be implemented: a mechanism to capture the user's movements, input data computation, and a feedback system to display results to the user.  
The analysis of these four components leads to the development of a low-cost, low-energy-consuming hardware system, paired with software that is easy to maintain and implement. This includes a reliable user interface for controlling and monitoring the entire system.  
Based on the desired specifications, a hardware system is outlined in the following sub-chapters, which can be developed in various ways to accommodate future improvements and adaptations.