Take a look at the press release posted on swiminfo.com: www.swiminfo.com/.../6949.asp
Here's a quote that bothers me:
By strategically increasing the surface area, TYR has increased his/her ability to pull without increasing any resistance through the recovery. Just think of it as ascending an aquatic ladder.
Should these be allowed? I would guess that they are o.k. as far as current rules read, but I don't like it. I think these sleeves amount to an aid, sort of like wearing paddles. I guess the question is: what constitutes a swimsuit? Obviously caps are o.k., so you can't argue that it must be one piece.
Parents
Former Member
Originally posted by aquageek
Let's be clear - a swimsuit does not enhance performance, it limits the impact of drag. Therefore, the suit acts more like skin, not a performance booster. That is grossly different than a ski jumping suit that traps air and contributes to lift. I'm not aware of any suit that increases performance, humans increase performance.
Well, that's exactly what Tyr is claiming for this suit. Let me repeat the part that Knelson quoted at the beginning of this thread:
"By strategically increasing the surface area, TYR has increased his/her ability to pull without increasing any resistance through the recovery. Just think of it as ascending an aquatic ladder."
They are saying, in other words, that the goal of the armbands is not to decrease drag, but to increase the pulling arm's drag against the water (sort of like hand paddles do).
Of course, a manufacturer's claims about its own product may be false. But let's be clear about it: The armbands are either worthless, and therefore a waste of money, or they are a performance enhancing device, akin to a ski jumping outfit with a built-in hang glider.
Bob
Originally posted by aquageek
Let's be clear - a swimsuit does not enhance performance, it limits the impact of drag. Therefore, the suit acts more like skin, not a performance booster. That is grossly different than a ski jumping suit that traps air and contributes to lift. I'm not aware of any suit that increases performance, humans increase performance.
Well, that's exactly what Tyr is claiming for this suit. Let me repeat the part that Knelson quoted at the beginning of this thread:
"By strategically increasing the surface area, TYR has increased his/her ability to pull without increasing any resistance through the recovery. Just think of it as ascending an aquatic ladder."
They are saying, in other words, that the goal of the armbands is not to decrease drag, but to increase the pulling arm's drag against the water (sort of like hand paddles do).
Of course, a manufacturer's claims about its own product may be false. But let's be clear about it: The armbands are either worthless, and therefore a waste of money, or they are a performance enhancing device, akin to a ski jumping outfit with a built-in hang glider.
Bob
