Swimming attire is designed to enhance the swimmer’s ability to move through the water more efficiently. These clothes are made of lightweight materials and have bonded seams to minimize drag. Swimsuits are also designed to be hydrodynamic, reducing the build-up of lactic acid in the swimmer’s muscles.
Humans possess incredible abilities – they can walk on land, fly in the air, and swim in water. Swimming, initially essential for survival, has evolved into a popular recreational activity. Furthermore, swimming is considered one of the best aerobic exercises for maintaining good health.
Many swimmers wear specialized clothing that differs greatly from their daily attire. But why do they do this? Animals don’t require special clothing or materials when swimming; they rely on their natural fur, skin, or scales. So, is there another reason? Do swimsuits impact swimming speed?
The Role of the Medium
Swimmers are well aware of the fatigue that sets in after just a few minutes of swimming. Why does swimming tire us out more quickly compared to jogging or running?
The most obvious difference between swimming and running is the medium in which these activities take place.
When you run, you move through the air, which surrounds you. Additionally, gravity and friction provide a firm grip on the ground with each step. While gravity does affect swimmers, the medium they move through is vastly different. Water is less forgiving than air when it comes to facilitating movement.
Drag: The Opposing Force
When swimming, there are significant fluid forces that oppose your forward motion. These forces resist your movement through water, applying strong resistance to your forward motion. Collectively, these forces are known as drag.
drag in opposite direction of motion
As a result, when you push water downward, it pushes back against you. The primary force pushing against you is the pressure of drag.
You can experience this sensation of being pushed back by sticking your hand out of a moving car and holding it vertically against the wind. Doesn’t it feel like someone is pushing your hand back? The same principle applies when you swim through water.
Discussing Swimsuits
Shape: Despite their seemingly simple appearance, swimsuits are designed to enhance water gliding. The most crucial factor is their hydrodynamic shape. The materials used in swimsuits compress the wearer’s body, reducing drag and minimizing the accumulation of lactic acid in muscles, which causes fatigue after intense physical activity.
The streamlined shape is the most effective in reducing drag.
Material of the suit: Swimsuits can be made from nylon or spandex, both of which provide lightness and agility. Suits made from hydrophobic microfilament fabrics, which are resistant to water, can reduce drag by a remarkable 8%. These suits repel water from the wearer’s body, enabling them to move through the water more efficiently.
Seams: The effectiveness of swimsuits is not solely determined by the material used; how the fabrics are assembled also plays a crucial role. Interestingly, bonded seams can reduce drag by almost 6% compared to traditionally sewn seams.
Controversy
Swimming being a highly popular sport, there have been numerous experiments with swimsuit design and materials, leading to occasional controversies. One particularly notable controversy occurred in 2009-10.
During the 2009 World Swimming Championship, several records were broken due to a revolutionary new swimsuit developed in collaboration with NASA. The full-body suit, known as the LZR Racer by Speedo, provided such a significant advantage to swimmers that it was banned by FINA in 2010.
Michael Phelps.
Clearly, specially designed swimsuits not only have a stylish appearance (for those who wish to showcase their bodies), but also significantly impact a swimmer’s speed, giving them a competitive edge. For the average person, it might just be the upgrade their swimwear collection needs!