I made a quick analysis of current swimming world records of female and male swimmers and here are my findings: (50 LCM pool, 50,100,200 all styles including 200 IM, 400 free and IM, 800, 1500 free)
Female swimmers are 10.96 % slower on average
In 50, 100 and 200 events the differences are 11.9%, 11.5%, 11.3% respectively (more distance, less variance)
Largest gap is in 50 back (13.6%)
Smallest gap in 1500 free (7.8%)
Considering the average of 50, 100 and 200 of 4 events, largest gap is in backstroke (12.2%), butterfly (11.7%), free (11.4%) and *** (10.3%).In athletics, 100, 200, 400, 800, 1500 and 3000 track events, the gap is 10.43%. When I took out the incredible 100 of Florence G. Joyner, the gap is nearly the same as in the swimming (10.98%).
Lowest gap is in 100, with 7.7%, largest gap is in 800 with 12.0%, but most of the differences are between 10% and 12%.
What do you think?
Parents
Former Member
Careful comparing open water swimming between men and women. The events are HIGHLY variable in terms of conditions and cold water plays different effects on core temperatures with different fat levels. You may be measuring insulation more than endurance.
I'd stick Hackett or Vendt against ANY female in the world in a 20-40 mile race and even bet my house if the wave conditions were equal for competitors and temperature above 70 degrees...... i.e. a purely endurance comparison.
Also remember the law of small numbers. It takes less effect to make a higher percentage change with small numbers than larger numbers.
John Smith
Careful comparing open water swimming between men and women. The events are HIGHLY variable in terms of conditions and cold water plays different effects on core temperatures with different fat levels. You may be measuring insulation more than endurance.
I'd stick Hackett or Vendt against ANY female in the world in a 20-40 mile race and even bet my house if the wave conditions were equal for competitors and temperature above 70 degrees...... i.e. a purely endurance comparison.
Also remember the law of small numbers. It takes less effect to make a higher percentage change with small numbers than larger numbers.
John Smith
