Saw this posted on another tri-related message site and it looked interesting .... A study on swimmers using wetsuits which seems to indicate little difference between the speed of swimming between sleeveless and full suits (although this study appears to have been done with experienced swimmers so maybe that makes a difference).
SIRC ID: S-865588
Title: The effect of wetsuits on swim performance.
Author(s): Nicolaou, K.D., Kozusko, J.M., and Bishop, P.A.
Language: Eng
Total Pages: 7
Call Number: GV836.2 #300
The use of a wetsuit during the swim portion of a triathlon has increased in popularity over the past few years. The purpose of this study was to quantify the impact of both the full-body and sleeveless wetsuits on 800m swim performance. Nine collegiate female swimmers swam three counterbalanced and randomized trials of 800m. Velocity, distance per stroke, swimming efficiency index, heart rate, ratings of perceived exertion, and perceived comfort were recorded for all trials, full-body wetsuit, sleeveless wetsuit, and swimsuits. No significant difference between the trials was found in distance per stroke, ratings of perceived exertion, heart rate, or swimming efficiency index. No significance was found among three different comfort levels between the two wetsuits. Inhibition in kicking occurred in 50 % of subjects with the full-body wetsuit and 27.7 % with sleeveless wetsuit. However, significant differences were found in velocity between both swimsuits (1.28 +/- 0.059m/! sec) and full-body wetsuits (1.31 +/- 0.033m/sec), and the sleeveless wetsuit (1.36 +/- 0.065 m/sec) and the full-body wetsuit (p < 0.004). These results suggest that the use of a wetsuit compared to a swimsuit can increase velocity while maintaining a constant heart rate.
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SIRC ID: S-865588
Title: The effect of wetsuits on swim performance.
Author(s): Nicolaou, K.D., Kozusko, J.M., and Bishop, P.A.
Language: Eng
Total Pages: 7
Call Number: GV836.2 #300
The use of a wetsuit during the swim portion of a triathlon has increased in popularity over the past few years. The purpose of this study was to quantify the impact of both the full-body and sleeveless wetsuits on 800m swim performance. Nine collegiate female swimmers swam three counterbalanced and randomized trials of 800m. Velocity, distance per stroke, swimming efficiency index, heart rate, ratings of perceived exertion, and perceived comfort were recorded for all trials, full-body wetsuit, sleeveless wetsuit, and swimsuits. No significant difference between the trials was found in distance per stroke, ratings of perceived exertion, heart rate, or swimming efficiency index. No significance was found among three different comfort levels between the two wetsuits. Inhibition in kicking occurred in 50 % of subjects with the full-body wetsuit and 27.7 % with sleeveless wetsuit. However, significant differences were found in velocity between both swimsuits (1.28 +/- 0.059m/! sec) and full-body wetsuits (1.31 +/- 0.033m/sec), and the sleeveless wetsuit (1.36 +/- 0.065 m/sec) and the full-body wetsuit (p < 0.004). These results suggest that the use of a wetsuit compared to a swimsuit can increase velocity while maintaining a constant heart rate.
SIRC has this Serial Analytic
Order now via SIRCExpress
https://secure.sportquest.com/...8&title=S-865588