The aim of the present study was to apply the computational fluid dynamics methodology to study the hand/forearm forces in swimming 3-D configuration. Methods Models used in the presented simulations were created in CAD, based on real dimensions of a right adult human hand/forearm. The governing system equations considered was the incompressible Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes equations implemented in the Fluent® commercial code. The numerical simulation was carried out in three dimensions of the whole domain in steady flow. The dynamic fluid forces produced by the hand/forearm, lift and drag, were measured in this study. Results The drag coefficient was the main parameter for propulsion, with the maximum value of the propulsion force corresponding to a pitch angle of 90°. The lift coefficient seemed to be a parameter with less influence to generate the propulsive force with pitch angles of 0° and 90° but it is important with a pitch angle of 45°.
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