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.
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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.
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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.
