title: Effect of swimming suit design on the energy demands of swimming.
abstract: Eight competitive male swimmers completed a standardized 365.8 m (400 yd) freestyle swimming trial at a fixed pace (approximately 90% of maximal effort) while wearing a torso swim suit (TOR) or a standard racing suit (STD). Oxygen uptake (VO2), blood lactate, heart rate (HR), and distance per stroke (DPS) measurements were obtained. In addition, a video-computer system was used to collect velocity data during a prone underwater glide following a maximal leg push-off from the side of the pool while wearing the TOR and STD suits. These data were used to calculate the total distance covered during the glides. VO2 (3.76 +/- 0.16 vs 3.92 +/- 0.18 l.min-1) and lactate (8.08 +/- 0.53 vs, 9.66 +/- 0.66 mM) were significantly (P < 0.05) lower during the TOR trial than the STD trial. HR was not different (P > 0.05) between the TOR (170.1 +/- 5.1 b.min-1) and STD (173.5 +/- 5.7 b.min-1) trials. DPS was significantly greater during the TOR (2.70 +/- 0.066 m.stroke-1) versus STD (2.58 +/- 0.054 m.stroke-1) trial. A significantly greater total distance was covered during the prone glide while wearing the TOR (2.05 +/- 0.067 m) compared to the STD (2.00 +/- 0.080 m) suit. These findings demonstrate that a specially designed torso suit reduces the energy demand of swimming compared to a standard racing suit which may be due to a reduction in body drag.
authors.affiliation: Human Performance Laboratory, Ball State University, Muncie, IN 47306, USA.
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Starling
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Costill
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Trappe
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Jozsi
authors.forename: S W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Trappe
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Goodpaster
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003020:Clothing; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007773:Lactates / Q000097:blood; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008297:Male; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D013550:Swimming / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D007773:Lactates; D019344:Lactic Acid