Splashing physics of springboard diving

Abstract Understanding rotational physics is often difficult due to abstract concepts like torque, angular momentum, and moments of inertia, along with the required knowledge of trigonometry and calculus. This paper presents how springboard diving and gymnastics offer real-world contexts for students to explore these topics, focusing on non-twisting somersaults in springboard diving. Video analysis, body modelling, and motion analysis are suggested as student activities to deepen their understanding of biomechanics and rotational physics, specifically in estimating body segment inertia parameters and analysing somersaults.