Yes - one more time it's about the suit:
Here is a comparison to 2004 and what it took to make top 16 (top 8 for the 400) over the first 7 events:
2004 listed first then 2008 then the approx. % drop
400 IM - 4:24.8 to 4:21.0 1.5%
100 Fly - 1:01.29 to 59.97 2%
400 Free - 3:55.0 to 3:51.4 1.6%
400 IM - 4:49.57 to 4:43.2 2.3%
100 Br - 1:04.0 to 1:02.36 2.5%
100 Bk - 1:04.12 to 1:02.31 2.6%
200 Free - 1:51.1 to 1:48.76 2.2%
Ok - to be fair, people are getting faster, but I would guess at least a 1.5% drop across the board for the suit -- that is net time !
I for one just do not believe that the swim suit is a major factor in these great times.
I think your being a bit naive George, those of us who have tried each generation of the suits can attest to the fact that the recent changes that FINA made in allowing these "wetsuits" has had a dramatic effect on times.
As Glen Mills pointed out and I discovered first hand testing a BlueSeventy last week the "flotation" that it provides as a significant impact on body position...an is greater the longer the race. What this will do to things like TI is going to be interesting because it for the most part compensates for both fatigue and poor technique.
I also saw where you posted that changes in stroke and conditioning are the main factors. I would argue that there has been any major changes in training in years...fad chasing yes but other than possibly more emphasis on quality/fast swimming more frequently in work out no. And as far as stroke changes I agree with Hoch that the no hand touch in backstroke/flip turn, dolphin in *** and far more emphasis on underwater SDK are the real changes.
To those that have doubts at some point I hope you can get a chance to try one of these next generation suits first hand and come back and discuss.
I for one just do not believe that the swim suit is a major factor in these great times.
I think your being a bit naive George, those of us who have tried each generation of the suits can attest to the fact that the recent changes that FINA made in allowing these "wetsuits" has had a dramatic effect on times.
As Glen Mills pointed out and I discovered first hand testing a BlueSeventy last week the "flotation" that it provides as a significant impact on body position...an is greater the longer the race. What this will do to things like TI is going to be interesting because it for the most part compensates for both fatigue and poor technique.
I also saw where you posted that changes in stroke and conditioning are the main factors. I would argue that there has been any major changes in training in years...fad chasing yes but other than possibly more emphasis on quality/fast swimming more frequently in work out no. And as far as stroke changes I agree with Hoch that the no hand touch in backstroke/flip turn, dolphin in *** and far more emphasis on underwater SDK are the real changes.
To those that have doubts at some point I hope you can get a chance to try one of these next generation suits first hand and come back and discuss.
