Problem Statement: Despite the critical role of arm movement in freestyle swimming, many learners— specially female students at Baghdad University's College of Physical Education and Sport Sciences— face difficulties executing the pushing phase of the stroke correctly. This phase essential for generating propulsion and maintaining body coordination in water. Traditional teaching methods lack immediate feedback on the quality and force of arm movements, impeding effective motor learning and coordination. Approach: the researchers developed a custom-made device designed to measure the pressure force exerted by the palms during freestyle swimming. The device features pressure sensors attached both hands, a processor that analyzes the collected data, and a display unit that presents information on force symmetry. A three-month educational program incorporating the device was implemented with an experimental group, while a control group followed traditional training without the device. Purpose: The primary objective was to evaluate the effect of the device on improving motor coordination and balance of pushing force between the arms during freestyle swimming. The study also aimed to assess the effectiveness of the device in skill development and technical refinement among female students. Results: Statistical analysis revealed significant improvements in the experimental group compared to the control group. The mean distance achieved in freestyle swimming increased substantially in the experimental group post-intervention (from 14.125m to 20.687m), while the control group showed minimal change. The T-test results confirmed the statistical significance of these differences at p < 0.05. Conclusions: The use of a biomechanically informed device provided accurate, real-time feedback that enhanced learners’ awareness and corrected arm movement imbalances. These findings emphasize the potential of technological interventions in physical education and support the integration of innovative tools to enhance motor learning efficiency, particularly in swimming instruction. © JPES.
