Swimming Science.

Liz Dennett is a public service librarian in the Science and Technology
Library at the University of Alberta.

Each volume in the Sports Science series provides an introduction to a particular sport and explains the different aspects of the sport that involve science and technology. The books are all written according to a similar formula. There is a general introduction to the sport, some sections on proper nutrition, hydration, and fitness, and information about the gear and playing surfaces and how they have been improved through technology. There are also pages on the physics and/or physiology of the movement or actions in the sport and the forces that act on the athlete. All books contain a mention of sport psychology and a look at how science and technology may continue to change the sport in the future. The books also contain interesting facts or details in inset boxes, and “new words” are defined at the bottom of each page.

More specifically, Baseball Science details the incredibly quick reaction times that hitters need, the different grips for each of the different pitches, and the engineering marvel of retractable stadium roofs. Cycling Science describes the advances in technology for cycling frames, wheels, brakes, and clothing. Skateboarding Science has instructions on how to pop an Ollie and how to build your own ramp, and details the history of the wheel from metal to clay to urethane. In Soccer Science, the physics behind a curving free kick is explained, along with how microchips in soccer balls may soon be used to determine whether the ball crossed the goal line or not. Swimming Science walks the reader through the best ways to increase propulsion and reduce drag in the four main stroke styles. And finally, Tennis Science explains why you need to change balls regularly and how varying the tension in the strings affects the speed and control of the ball.

There are lots of interesting facts and snippets packed into these books, but they are still fairly basic overviews that kids who like both sports and science will enjoy. Athletes already familiar with their sport are unlikely to find anything within these books that will take them to the next level of play. There simply isn’t enough detail. All of the volumes are recommended.