EFFECT OF SWIMMING SUIT DESIGN ON THE ENERGY DEMANDS OF SWIMMING

Eight competitive male swimmers completed a standardized 365.8 m (400 yd) freestyle swimming trial at a fixed pace (similar to 90% of maxima l effort) while wearing a torso swim suit (TOR) or a standard racing s uit (STD). Oxygen uptake (VO2), blood lactate, heart rate (HR), and di stance per stroke (DPS) measurements were obtained. In addition, a vid eo-computer system was used to collect velocity data during a prone un derwater glide following a maximal leg push-off from the side of the p ool while wearing the TOR and STD suits. These data were used to calcu late the total distance covered during the glides. VO2, (3.76 +/- 0.16 vs 3.92 +/- 0.18 1 . min(-1)) and lactate (8.08 +/- 0.53 vs. 9.66 +/- 0.66 mM) were significantly (P < 0.05) lower during the TOR trial tha n the STD trial. HR was not different (P > 0.05) between the TOR (170. 1 +/- 5.1 b . min(-1)) and STD (173.5 +/- 5.7 b . min(-1)) trials. DPS was significantly greater during the TOR (2.70 +/- 0.066 m . stroke(- 1)) versus STD (2.58 +/- 0.054 m . stroke(-1)) trial. A significantly greater total distance was covered during the prone glide while wearin g the TOR (2.05 +/- 0.057 m) compared to the STD (2.00 +/- 0.080 m) su it. These findings demonstrate that a specially designed torso suit re duces the energy demand of swimming compared to a standard racing suit which may be due to a reduction in body drag.