COMPARISON OF BUOYANCY, ACTIVE AND PASSIVE DRAG WITH FULL LENGTH AND STANDARD SWIMSUITS

Abstract

A cross-sectional study compared the buoyancy characteristics of the full-length, Fastskin swimsuit with normal swimsuits, in conjunction with analysis of net towing force differences between swimsuit types. The participants were nine elite. Open National level swimmers. The subjects were hydrostatically weighed, and then towed at the surface and 0.4 m depth, at three velocities (1.6, 2.2 and 2.8 mls). The subjects performed a prone streamlined glide and flutter kick at maximum effort for each towing velocity and depth. The full-length. Fastskin swimsuit was more effective (- 4.8 to 10.2%) than normal swimsuits in reducing total hydrodynamic resistance, specifically frictional resistance, while providing no benefits through additional buoyancy.