Swimming is one of the most complete and demanding sports in the world. From freestyle technique to turn precision in swimming styles like breaststroke, butterfly, or backstroke, every millisecond matters. That’s why technology in swimming has become essential for pushing athletic performance to the next level.
At STT Systems, we have over two decades of experience developing biomechanical analysis systems. We pioneered the use of computer vision in swimming during the FINA World Swimming Championships in Barcelona 2003 and 2013. This expertise led to the creation of InThePool 2.0, a powerful solution that provides real-time, in-depth swimming analysis.
What technology is used in professional swimming?
InThePool 2.0 includes 6 to 12 high-speed color cameras (1MP at 100 FPS) that simultaneously record each area of the pool. Thanks to a Gigabit Ethernet network, all footage is streamed and processed instantly on a single computer, delivering key swimmer data in real time.
The software recognizes different swimming styles (freestyle, breaststroke, butterfly, backstroke) using advanced computer vision algorithms that analyze arm movements. It automatically extracts metrics such as:
- Stroke frequency and amplitude
- Split times
- Speed at starts, turns, and finishes
- Stroke length
- Strokes per meter
All data is synchronized with the official Omega timing system and delivered in XML format, ready for coaches and athletes to analyze with precision.
Real-world application: FINA World Swimming Championship 2013
At the 2013 FINA World Swimming Championships in Barcelona, the system captured ultra-precise images using Allied Vision Mako G-125C cameras. Suspended high above the Palau Sant Jordi, these cameras delivered sharp top-down views of every swimmer, even in a massive venue of over 4,500 m² with a 50-meter Olympic pool.
The technical challenge was significant, but it was successfully overcome thanks to the collaboration with INFAIMON and the CAR high-performance center in Sant Cugat. Even though the Mako cameras were still pre-release models at the time, they operated flawlessly, providing high-quality, high-frame-rate video for advanced performance analysis.
Since then, InThePool 2.0 has remained a key tool in the training of elite swimmers, helping improve technique, prevent injuries, and prepare for competitions with scientific precision.
Do you work in the swimming industry and want to take your analysis to the next level?
Whether you’re a coach, physiotherapist, sports scientist, or work at a high-performance center, our system can help you get the most out of every training session.
📩 Contact us today and discover how to bring cutting-edge swimming technology to your team.