I compete at triathlon (the modern pentathlon variety, swimming, running, shooting), which entails a 100m sprint swim in a pool. Recently many masters competitors have been sporting full body suits, and claiming that this has reduced their competitive times by up to 6 seconds over a 100m! Is there any evidence that these costumes can bring about such dramatic improvement? My own feeling is that if they do, then it's a form cheating as the costume has become an artificial aid - so I haven't invested in one yet!
What is the general feeling about the use of these costumes for pool events?
Joan
Parents
Former Member
We've hashed out this one before; I am established as somewhat of a neo-luddite (agin the new suits, especially the expense of them)- but... I guess the line in the sand I wish to draw revolves around this: increasing our slipperiness is a general trend & has been for years & I guess I can't really quarrel as I have done the big shave numerous times- no the point that raises my hackles is that certain manufacturers claim through quasi-dendritic ridges etc to actually enhance performance through propulsive micro-design. Now their claims might be entirely bogus, but if they could be confirmed (or in some cases, extra buoyancy) than those suits should be excluded. I don't think we in Masters want to see our discipline, or Open swimming for that matter, degenerate to the level of, say, bobsled competition where money rules.
We've hashed out this one before; I am established as somewhat of a neo-luddite (agin the new suits, especially the expense of them)- but... I guess the line in the sand I wish to draw revolves around this: increasing our slipperiness is a general trend & has been for years & I guess I can't really quarrel as I have done the big shave numerous times- no the point that raises my hackles is that certain manufacturers claim through quasi-dendritic ridges etc to actually enhance performance through propulsive micro-design. Now their claims might be entirely bogus, but if they could be confirmed (or in some cases, extra buoyancy) than those suits should be excluded. I don't think we in Masters want to see our discipline, or Open swimming for that matter, degenerate to the level of, say, bobsled competition where money rules.
