This paper provides background information for subsequent articles on breaststroke technique. In particular, the innovative `multi-media package`, used at K.U.Leuven Evaluation Centre of the Faculty of Kinesiology and Rehabilitation Sciences, to aid diagnosis and education in breaststroke swimming is introduced. In subsequent articles the team of researchers at K.U.Leuven Evaluation Centre will address important questions such as `Which style of breaststroke, e.g. flat or undulating, is best suited to particular physical characteristics such as strength, length, and flexibility?`, `What technique factors are important for undulating and flat breaststroke?`, `How can swimmers develop the necessary characteristics to improve technique in breaststroke?`. Professor Ulrik Persyn has led a program of research specialising in breaststroke swimming since the mid 1970s (Persyn & Colman 1999 (19), Persyn et al. 2003 (26)). There are several aspects of research that distinguish his team from other sports science laboratories internationally: Their research endeavours are organised systematically with logical progression from project to project. They have devoted a great deal of time to establishing working hypotheses based on sound scientific principles. They have led the development of advanced techniques for accurate analysis of technique. These include an innovative system to combine the above and below water views of a swimmer, correcting for perspective and refraction errors, and calculating the centre of mass. This has enabled analysis of the effectiveness of techniques in producing propulsion and reducing resistance (Colman & Persyn 1993 (11), Colman et al. 1998 (14)). They have been pioneers in investigating hydrodynamic concepts such as the role of vortices in propulsion by developing methods to show the flow characteristics of water in response to the swimmer`s actions (Colman et al. 1999 (17), Ungerechts et al. 2000 (24)). They have been leaders in determining how physical characteristics of individual swimmers influence the selection of a technique to optimise performance (Daly et al. 1988 (6), Zhu et al. 1997 (13). Their scientific contributions have been recognised at the highest level in international swimming science. Two staff members of the K.U.Leuven Evaluation Centre obtained consecutive Archimedes Awards at the Congresses of Biomechanics and Medicine in Swimming, in `86 and in `90 (Van Tilborgh et al. 1988 (8) and Colman et al. 1992 (9)). They are leaders in disseminating the practical implications of their research to coaches, swimmers, and other researchers. This is achieved through: - The innovative development of multi-media education packages delivering directly to coaches and swimmers. - Diagnosing technique faults among swimmers and advising swimmers on which technique would be most appropriate to optimise performance given their individual characteristics. - Involvement in developing education modules for sports swimming scientists and coaches including a `European Master Degree` (Persyn et al. 1997 (12), 1999 (20)). Staff members of the K.U.Leuven have been involved in a long-term strategy to improve not only the professional expertise in swimming but also to raise the qualification level of experts in sports in the E.U. (Claude et al. 1999 (15)). - Presenting the research findings at scientific conferences.