FINA's new rules don't address compression. Swimmers squeeze into small tight suits making their bodies more aquadynamic.
I think there are two aspects of the new suits which help swimmers, lower hydrodynamic drag and compression. Both significantly improve performance in the water.
If you have a material that has less drag (ex. shaved human skin) it will enable you to swim through the water faster. Look at what bike racers wear (helmets, glasses, uniforms, etc.) that lessens drag.
If your muscles are not moving around, you will be able to sustain physical effort for a longer period of time. Witness track athletes, basketball players, and others who wear tight shorts to keep their leg muscles compressed.
The whole argument over suits trapping air is a red herring in my opinion. Almost any wet fabric can trap air and aid in bouyancy, just wear board shorts the next time you go to a hotel hot tub for proof of this. The bigger issue is trapping water! In one of my races at Portland last year, I got some water in my lower back while wearing my Blue Seventy Nero Comp. I think it slowed me down and took away some of the advantages the suit gave me. So the equipment giveth and the equipment taketh away...
All sports involve equipment that aid the athlete's performance. But in the end, the person inside the garment is the ultimate determining factor.
Just my opinion on all the brew ha ha.
FINA's new rules don't address compression. Swimmers squeeze into small tight suits making their bodies more aquadynamic.
I think there are two aspects of the new suits which help swimmers, lower hydrodynamic drag and compression. Both significantly improve performance in the water.
If you have a material that has less drag (ex. shaved human skin) it will enable you to swim through the water faster. Look at what bike racers wear (helmets, glasses, uniforms, etc.) that lessens drag.
If your muscles are not moving around, you will be able to sustain physical effort for a longer period of time. Witness track athletes, basketball players, and others who wear tight shorts to keep their leg muscles compressed.
The whole argument over suits trapping air is a red herring in my opinion. Almost any wet fabric can trap air and aid in bouyancy, just wear board shorts the next time you go to a hotel hot tub for proof of this. The bigger issue is trapping water! In one of my races at Portland last year, I got some water in my lower back while wearing my Blue Seventy Nero Comp. I think it slowed me down and took away some of the advantages the suit gave me. So the equipment giveth and the equipment taketh away...
All sports involve equipment that aid the athlete's performance. But in the end, the person inside the garment is the ultimate determining factor.
Just my opinion on all the brew ha ha.
