[email protected] (hug) wrote in message
>
> So if I am interpreting this correctly, the swimmers in the study swam faster with a sleeveless
> wetsuit than a long-sleeved one. Interesting since nearly all elites wear long-sleeved suits.
>
> -hug
You are correct. In the study, the authors write, "Contrary to the proposed hypothesis that the
full-body wetsuit would provide the greatest increase in performance, the sleeveless wetsuit was
shown to give the greatest improvements in swimming velocity." Later in the study, however, they
gave several explanations for the results.
The study was conducted in a pool at a relatively warm water temperature, 27C. The authors cite a
wetsuit study by Cordain and Korpiva whose subjects registered complaints for being too hot in pool
water while wearing full suits. Also, according to two other studies cited by the authors, when
water temps are below 25.6C, there's less build-up of core body temperature resulting less heat
stress in later portions of the race. 25.56C (78F) is the highest temperature at which wetsuits are
"legal" in USAT sanctioned triathlons.
All of the swimmers were female; females have a higher body fat percentage than males, and thus
women may realize less of an advantage from the added buoyancy of a full suit.
Also, the authors noted that 56% of the swimmers tested usually swam with a 6-beat kick. They noted
in their results that the greatest inhibition in kicking occurred with the full suits. This would
indeed seem to affect negatively the swimmers who swam normally with a six beat kick.
Although the authors didn't consider stroke styles, I would tend to think that those who are
"constant pressure" swimmers would benefit from more a full suit. Conversely, those who swim with a
long, forward stroke and rely heavily on kicking in order to conserve momentum would probably be
faster in sleeveless suit.
When I first read the article, I was dismayed initially as it was contrary to my own experience.
But after a more in-depth perusal, I've decided to stick with my full suit. I am indeed fortunate
to live in an area that has several excellent bike/triathlon stores. When I was shopping for
wetsuits, I was able to time trial full, sleeveless, and farmer-john (legless) suits. During the
course of a couple of weeks, I swam sets of 20 or 25 x 200's, or thereabout, in a 33 1/3 yard
(100ft.), 69 degree F, water-well fed pool. I can't remember the specific results, but I think that
my average pace per 200 was about 3 or 4 seconds faster in the full suit than in the sleeveless. I
turned in the worst results while wearing the farmer-john. Once I settled on a full-body suit, I
tried out 2 or 3 brands, and I settled on a 2-piece, Desoto T1. I think it's the fastest in and out
of the water, it's really durable, and it's much more comfortable through the shoulders than a
single piece.
Hope it helps, AW
