In a couple of weeks I will be switching my workouts from the calm smooth waters of our indoor pool
to the choppy cold one outside. Wich made me wonder......
Does the location of the pool affect a swimmers time?
In track/field we have indoor and outdoor competitions and records are usually distinguished by that.
For the Olympics though the events are always outside.
Looking at the last couple of Olympic games swimming events have been held in both outdoor and indoor pools,
but the records are treated the same.
Does this mean that they can provide the exact same environment in an outdoor pool?
Other wise it would seem unfair to compare the 2.
I like outdoor pools for training,but conditions are more predictable in an indoor pool.Outdoors wind can be a problem and of course there is nothing to guide you in backstroke.
Former Member
In track/field we have indoor and outdoor competitions and records are usually distinguished by that.
Yes, but the other distinguishing factor is that indoor tracks can't exceed 200m/220yards in size and can be banked. Outdoors can't be over 400m/440yards and can't be banked. As they say, size matters.
-LBJ
Former Member
Indoor track almost seems like a different sport. Far more time spent on curves. So it makes sense to keep records separately for indoor and outdoor track. It is almost like the difference between short course meters and long course meters. Same overall distance but the course is different.
I think historically more world records are set in indoor pools. I would guess that the more stable environment is the key factor. Swimmers have predictable air temperatures and no wind whatsover. Outdoor pools can have waves due to wind, warm energy-sapping air, cold muscle-stiffening temps, etc.
Former Member
Whether the pool is indoor or outdoor, it must still meet the same facilities standards. These include:
-Length of pool
-Minimum water depth
-Walls parallel and vertical
-Pool bottom lane markers
-End wall targets
-Water temperature (I think it's 78-80 deg. F. for Olympic competition)
-Starting block height and placement
-Backstroke starting grips
-Backstroke flag size, height, and placement
See Part 1 of the USMS Rule Book for more information on the facilities standards for national Masters competitions. They're similar to the Olympic standards and will give you an idea of the necessary requirements.
Anna Lea
