Not long ago people thought the future of swimming relied on the individuals swimming performance, lately people are realizing that it could really be what’s on the outside instead of the inside of the swimmer that makes the difference. New technology in swimsuits, specifically the Speedo LZR, has provided adequate results that can help support this theory. The unique design of the suit not only looks good, its known to decrease and maybe even eliminate kinetic factors involved in the sport such as drag and friction. Although it may sound scientifically fictional, the LZR is becoming an everyday commodity in the aquatic world.
The suit has become extremely popular, to the extent that officials are questioning their use in competitive swimming events. Recently, many records have been broken by swimmers such as Michael Phelps and Natalie Coughlin while wearing the new LZR, which has raised the question of whether it’s the suit or swimmer. Most will debate that the swimmer is the main source of the recent numerous broken records while others claim it’s the suit. So what is it about the suit that makes it unbelievably unique and special: it’s the way that it limits drag and resistance, repels water instead of absorbs, along with the fabric itself.
The key characteristic of the suit is its ability to significantly limit the amount of drag on the swimmer in the water. With performance swimming, high amounts of energy expenditure due to drag is less than ideal. To fix this problem, the LZR is equipped with specific pulse fabric at ideal locations on the suit to create a hydro form compression system. The system allows for a perfect streamline shape, which in turn will dramatically reduce the amount of drag.
The fabric on the suit is one of the lightest that is made, giving it an added bonus to the suit’s overall performance. The enhanced compression on the suit forms to the specific body type of any individual creating the least amount of extra fabric extending out from the body. This decreases drag in yet another manor: reduced surface area. In addition to the drag on the outside, the inside drag is also considered. The fabric limits skin friction on the inside surface of the suit making sure that any movement the swimmer makes is not impeded by the tight fitting fabric. With the collection of these components, the swimmer is provided a very wide range of motion with minimal resistance enabling better stroke and performance.
For the majority of swimmers body fat can sometimes affect their performance negatively. Although some body fat is advantageous for better buoyancy, in competitive swimming priority will go towards speed rather than floatation, thus less is better. Having a limited amount of body fat enhances the performance and self-image of the swimmer as well. Some professional swimmer’s bodies are so well trained that more natural alterations are not feasible, which is where the LZR can add it’s helping hand. The suit contorts any shape to the ideal geometry providing the highest performance, tightening areas specifically around the hip and waist regions.
Power is gained by the suit’s natural tightening of the body. Consider how a rubber band that is stretched has the natural tendency to return to its original position with twice the velocity. When the LZR is contorted due to a change in body geometry, its natural tendency is to return to a streamline position, giving that extra kick upon returning. Such a quality in the LZR will be extremely helpful to any swimmer when starting on the blocks or helping to achieve max force of a kick or arm pull.
The biggest concern with the suit is that while swimming with the LZR, some officials constitute its use as a form technological doping. Because not every swimmer is going to be wearing the LZR while competing, those who are can be seen as having an unnatural or artificial advantage in competition. In my mind, it is the swimmer that ultimately determines the success of the swim. Though the LZR may provide positive adaptations the swimmer has to provide the propulsion, form and speed that will take them to the podium!
Sean Whittacre is an undergraduate student at West Virginia currently studying Exercise Physiology with an emphasis in Aquatic Therapy. Sean is planning on attending graduate school for Physical Therapy after graduating from WVU.