Why does MLB prohibit the use of aluminum bats or spitting on baseballs or letting players use steroids (okay - two out of three)? Why does NASCAR prohibit fuel injected engines or certain transmission gear ratios? Why does the PGA disqualify certain golf balls or regulate golf clubs? Why can't basketball players where stilts or use a trampoline? Enough is enough, when a piece of equipment can alter the record books and cheapen the physical accomplishments of every past athlete, it's time to say stop (don't you think?).
The integrity of our sport is on the line here. How about two dolphin kicks for breaststroke or how about adding another arm-stroke to the backstroke turn or allowing IM'ers to turn-over before they touch on the back to *** transition.
I'm against the LZR and any suit that enhances performance and don't think I'll be changing my mind unless they find out swimming naked can make you swim faster.
Did you hear about the Buddhist who refused Novocain during a root canal? His goal: transcend dental medication.
Coach T.
Brent Rushall has an amazing article on bodysuits coachsci.sdsu.edu/.../2008suit.htm
An interesting article, one that echoes some of my own thoughts about the tech suits. The author's observations on the dearth of sound science behind the manufacturer's claims is correct, in my opinion. Based on my own experiences I am convinced that the effects of the FSII on (my own) performance are minor at best.
One part of the article I found a little dubious was in section #4, specifically about visual detection of turbulent water from still pictures of elite swimmers during performances. Even when at rest, swimmers wearing these suits often exhibit these kind of "bubbles," and clearly there is no turbulence involved. So I think support for the author's contention that shaved skin is the best surface is still lacking.
And, to be fair, I'm sure that Dr. Rushall would be the first to agree that more explicit comparisons should be done in well designed experiments. But it would be hard to account for the psychological aspects that he mentions. It is difficult for a swimmer in briefs to maintain positive thinking in the face of near-universal belief (proven or not) in their efficacy, and the author himself claims that such psychological factors can be even more important than the physical effects of the suit on performance.
I also thought he was too dismissive of the claim of form drag as an explanation of possible benefits of the suit...particularly for masters swimmers!
For myself, I haven't completely given up on tech suits and plan to do a similar testing of the Blueseventy Nero next SCY season, which is the next time I plan to rest & shave for a meet with a trials/finals format. I decided against trying the FS-Pro because I don't like full leg suits and because of the ease of ripping. The LZR is a non-starter for me at its present price, reliability and durability.
Brent Rushall has an amazing article on bodysuits coachsci.sdsu.edu/.../2008suit.htm
An interesting article, one that echoes some of my own thoughts about the tech suits. The author's observations on the dearth of sound science behind the manufacturer's claims is correct, in my opinion. Based on my own experiences I am convinced that the effects of the FSII on (my own) performance are minor at best.
One part of the article I found a little dubious was in section #4, specifically about visual detection of turbulent water from still pictures of elite swimmers during performances. Even when at rest, swimmers wearing these suits often exhibit these kind of "bubbles," and clearly there is no turbulence involved. So I think support for the author's contention that shaved skin is the best surface is still lacking.
And, to be fair, I'm sure that Dr. Rushall would be the first to agree that more explicit comparisons should be done in well designed experiments. But it would be hard to account for the psychological aspects that he mentions. It is difficult for a swimmer in briefs to maintain positive thinking in the face of near-universal belief (proven or not) in their efficacy, and the author himself claims that such psychological factors can be even more important than the physical effects of the suit on performance.
I also thought he was too dismissive of the claim of form drag as an explanation of possible benefits of the suit...particularly for masters swimmers!
For myself, I haven't completely given up on tech suits and plan to do a similar testing of the Blueseventy Nero next SCY season, which is the next time I plan to rest & shave for a meet with a trials/finals format. I decided against trying the FS-Pro because I don't like full leg suits and because of the ease of ripping. The LZR is a non-starter for me at its present price, reliability and durability.
