The limits of aerial and contact techniques for producing twist in reverse 1½ somersault dives

An angle-driven computer simulation model of aerial movement was used to determine the maximum amount of twist that can be produced in a reverse 1½ somersault dive from a three-metre springboard using aerial and contact twisting techniques. A limiting dive was identified as that producing the largest possible odd number of half twists. A simulation of the limiting dive was found using simulated annealing optimisation to produce the required amounts of somersault, tilt and twist after a flight time of 1.5 s. Additional optimisations were then run to seek solutions with the arms less adducted during the twisting phase. It was found that the upper twist limit was 5½ twists with arm abduction ranges lying between 7° and 16°. It may be concluded that a reverse 1½ somersault dive with 5½ twists is a realistic possibility.